Updates From CMAA Civic Engagement Team For February 12, 2021

Civic Engagement: Our team works to keep everyone updated and educated on different events and elections in the Lowell community.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of African Americans' achievements and a time for their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Black History Month's story begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. (history.com)

According to the NAACP website, there are so many ways that we all can do to honor this Black History Month: Support a Black business, Donate to a Black organization, and many more ways. Please visit here to learn more https://www.naacp.org/latest/28-ways-celebrate-black-history-month/

Update on the Covid-19 Vaccine

Since the state of Massachusetts is still in Phase 1 and slowing start, allow some group of Phase 2 who can get the vaccine. Here is more information of where and when you can sign up: https://www.maimmunizations.org/.

If you are not sure what group you are in for the different Phases to get the vaccine, please visits this Website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-timeline-phase-overview#phase-1-.

Get involved & Serve the community.

The City of Lowell is looking for qualified individuals who would like to serve on different boards. And this is your opportunity if you are interested in serving the community and be part of the change in our great city. If you would like to get more information, please visit this website. https://www.lowellma.gov/199/Board-and-Commission-Opportunities

Upcoming Neighborhood meetings

The City of Lowell will also be hosting a Neighborhood meeting events next month. There will be different dates for the different neighborhoods in our city. If you would like to be a part of bringing change or want to learn what is going on in your neighborhood, please come and join. Please visit here to learn more: https://www.lowellma.gov/1517/Citywide-Parking-Study.

Events:
Feb. 24 @ 6:30P –Pawtucketville/Centralville
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://lowellma.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoceqtpzMvGtzDMw_GW3xkTLfdka56yqUN
Feb. 25 @6:30P –Back Central, Acre, Highlands
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://lowellma.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkce6gpz4tEtQwYt7wTqNiw9ZQ6Z67rOWs

Join our study on Gambling in the Asian Community.

The Tufts University institutional review board approved this research. The interviews will take 45-60 minutes, and they will be conducted via Zoom or phone. It will be Confidential. And you will have the chance to receive a $50 gift card for completing the interview. If you would like to learn more, please contact CMAA, INFO@CMAALOWELL.ORG or call at (978) 454 6200.

Lowell Votes is a nonpartisan effort to encourage and support all City of Lowell citizens to shape their community through voting, with a special emphasis on those who face barriers to voting or have historically low turnout rates.

They will have their first monthly meeting of this year on February 2, 2021, at 2:00 pm. Please visit the link below to get more information and keep yourself updated if you would like to join.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccrGyPjRjQJqgst-60dPHpBJ984P9egoR0pxV3Fl3Kfr0dTw/viewform

Lowell votes will also be hosting a Candidate training in March. The program calls Candidate Empowerment&Readness Training. The application had already open, and it will be open until February 18, 2021.

This program will focus on whoever wants to run for public office in this election cycle or the next election cycle. The main goal of this program is “To help train and support non-traditional candidates for municipal office to run successful campaigns and legislate effectively if elected.” and it FREE

This program will be held on March 20th, 10 am-5 pm, March 27th, 10 am- 2 pm, and April 3rd, 10 am -2 pm. Please visit the link below to get more information https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1dyp1TVwPKW4pSWTxWHX3UC5-Ut7IitZOi18ajd4C_hlKWg/viewform

Southeast Asian Deportation Resources: If you know someone around you who has been affected, just need the resources, or just want to learn more about how these issues have been the effect the community, please contact CMAALowell; we will help.

Action item, contact your representatives!

Cosponsorship drives for both the Safe Communities Act (SD.532 and HD.1154) and the Work and Family Mobility Act (SD.273 and HD.448) have begun! Click on the preceding links for factsheets and the bill texts.

Please reach out to legislators to ask for their co-sponsorship of these two MIRA Coalition priorities.

Update on cosponsorship deadlines: Both the House and the Senate now have extended deadlines for cosponsorships (House just voted to extend). In both Chambers, the deadline for cosponsors to sign onto a piece of legislation filed will now be when the bill is reported out of its initial committee. Bill filing deadline remains February 19th at 5 PM.

Crisis Hotlines & Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, including suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, sexual assault, substance use, or mental health disorders, help is available. This guide provides a directory of hotlines, local agencies, and available resources to support Lowell residents facing crisis scenarios. Lowell Police Department can be reached at 978-937-3200. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Please visit here: https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14242/Crisis-Resources-and-Hotlines_Lowell_January-2021.

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. In 2021, Chinese New Year will begin on February 12. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday was traditionally a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family together for feasting. (history.com) And each new year, the Chinese traditions will be marked by different zodiac animals: the Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. And this year is the Year of the Ox.

“The Ox is the second of all Zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived at his party. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox. Thus, Ox became the second animal. The Ox represents the hard workers in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise. In Chinese culture, the Ox is also a valued animal. Because of its role in agriculture, positive characteristics, such as being hardworking and honest, are attributed to it.” (chinesenewyear.net)

If you plan to celebrate Chinese New Year or not, CMAA still hopes you have a great year and have all the luck at your work and your personal life.

Thank you so much! for taking your time to join us today by looking at this email, and we at CMAA hope you and your family all the best and enjoy your weekend. See you again next week!

CMAALowell's mission
Improve the quality of life for Cambodian Americans and other minorities and economically disadvantaged persons in Lowell through educational, cultural, economic, and social programs.

Visit our CMAALowell website for any update about our team
https://www.cmaalowell.org/wp/

Our building Locate at:
465 School Street Lowell, MA 01851
Contact info:
Phone: 978-454-6200
Email: info@cmaalowell.org
Contact form: Contact Form
CMAA also actively keeps our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages updated with the latest and greatest news, events, and photos. Follow us today!

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