Business Bulletin

YWCA Promotes Huertas, Martinez and Ruiz to Executive Leadership

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YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts, serving Lawrence, Haverhill and Lynn, recently promoted three to its executive leadership team. Arelis Huertas, Luis Martinez and Kathy Ruiz recently were named deputy directors to support Maricelis Ortiz in her new role as chief executive officer. In a statement, the YWCA said the three bring a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and decades of experience supporting the most vulnerable populations and survivors of intimate partner violence. Huertas has been supporting survivors for the last 18 years at the YWCA and will now serve as the deputy director of survivor support and housing stability. She said she is proud to be part of an organization that works diligently to assist survivors along their healing journeys.

Business Bulletin

‘Send Me’ Author Skovlund at Merrimack Valley Chamber Breakfast Dec. 9

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Marty Skovlund Jr., co-author of “Send Me,” will be on hand to discuss his book and sign copies next Tuesday when Battle Grounds Coffee Co. hosts members and guests of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce for a networking breakfast. “Send Me” is the true story of a mother at war. The breakfast and book signing take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 8-9:15 a.m., at Battle Grounds Coffee Co., 39 Washington St., Haverhill.

Business Bulletin

Cedar’s Foods Kicks Off New Haverhill YMCA Building Drive with $1 Million Gift

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Cedar’s Foods said Monday it made a $1 million comprehensive lead gift to the Haverhill YMCA’s capital campaign, becoming the first corporate donor to support the effort to bring a new, state-of-the-art YMCA facility to Haverhill. Haverhill-based Cedar’s Foods is a longtime partner of the Haverhill YMCA, supporting the YMCA since 2019 by providing funding and healthy food for afterschool programs and helping to address food insecurity among local children and families. “We are incredibly grateful for this lead gift and continued partnership from Cedar’s Foods,” said Tracy Fuller, executive director of the Haverhill YMCA. “Cedar’s has been an active supporter of our YMCA for years, helping us care for families through food programs and community partnerships. Their generous donation which helps us advance plans for a new YMCA—while we are still in the early phase of our capital campaign—is a true testament to their commitment to Haverhill and to the people we serve.”

The current Haverhill YMCA serves approximately 2,000 members, while the proposed new facility will accommodate up to 17,000 members.

Business Bulletin

BrightBridge Credit Union and Arrha Credit Union Members Approve Proposed Merger

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Members of BrightBridge Credit Union and Springfield-based Arrha Credit Union this week voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations under the BrightBridge umbrella. Arrha Credit Union will keep its name but become a division of BrightBridge Credit Union. The newly merged credit union will have 23 retail branches, combined assets of nearly $2.4 billion and approximately 125,000 members. “Our member vote marks an exciting new chapter for both BrightBridge and Arrha members,” said BrightBridge President and CEO John J. Howard. “By combining our strengths, we are building a stronger credit union that remains deeply committed to delivering exceptional service, expanding access to competitive financial products and investing in the communities we proudly serve.”

Arrha President and CEO Mike Ostrowski added, “This partnership will create more value and opportunity for both our staff and members, and for that we are so grateful to have cleared this hurdle.”

The merger is expected to be final Jan.

Business Bulletin

Whittier Rehab Hospitals’ Employees Complete Drive to Assist Food Pantries

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Haverhill-based Whittier Rehabilitation Hospitals in Bradford and Westborough recently engaged in a friendly challenge to see which could collect the most food to be donated to local emergency food pantries. While Bradford won the challenge, hospital officials say, both communities are the winners. Whittier Bradford’s donations are going to the Haverhill Citizen’s Center, while those from Westborough are being given to the Worcester County Food Bank. Both hospitals will continue their efforts to collect food, make donations and raise awareness as long as there are food disparities within the community. The challenge was undertaken by employee activities committees at both Bradford and Westborough.

Business Bulletin

G’s Restaurant to Change Hands; Friends Will Continue Downtown Haverhill Business

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The founding owners of the popular G’s Texas Southern Flare in downtown Haverhill are moving on because after seven years the restaurant continues to lose money. “We tried everything we could think of to make a go of it, but we got to the point where we couldn’t continue what we were doing,” said Matthew Gaiero, who started G’s with his wife, Denise. “We emptied our savings account and we took out loans, but we were struggling.”

The 35 Washington St., doors would be closing for good were it not for an offer from two friends who own other restaurants, the Gaieros said. The Gaieros are choosing not to name them until after the formal transfer, though they are both experienced restaurant entrepreneurs with Haverhill roots. “We are very happy especially for our staff that G’s will remain open in downtown Haverhill,” Matthew Gaiero said.

Business Bulletin

Urban Bridges Launches Food Service Training and Certification Jobs Program

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Urban Bridges of Haverhill is launching “Food Forward,” a free culinary workforce development program designed to give participants a pathway to full-time employment in Greater Haverhill’s food service industry. The inaugural 12-week training session begins Tuesday, Jan. 6, and helps adults gain hands-on culinary skills and ServSafe Certification. Linda Greenstein, Urban Bridges volunteer, said “There is a defined need in Greater Haverhill for skilled culinary workers. Graduates of Food Forward will find opportunities in schools, nursing homes, manufacturing and restaurants.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Chamber Plans Seventh Annual YMCA Dodgeball Tournament to Support Y

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The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s Seventh Annual YMCA Dodgeball Tournament takes place next week in support of the Haverhill YMCA. The business after hours event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill. Admission is $10 per team or bringing items for the YMCA Giving Tree. Suggested gifts include family board games, gift cards, Play-Doh, Legos, sleds, balls and dolls.