Community Teamwork Inc.’s new Rita O’Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health & Development, which is based at the James Houlares Early Learning Center. The Center will be the headquarters for programs and services that will promote healthy social-emotional development, increase children’s success in school, strengthen children and families and mitigate adversity through trauma-informed care. The program was kickstarted by a generous anonymous donation and a $20,000 grant through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and is currently seeking further support as CTI performs a needs assessment, analyzes the behavioral health needs of children and staff and identifies gaps in critical services. 

Great Dog Rescue New England, a nonprofit, shelterless, all-breed rescue group that operates across the state, including placing pups in Tewksbury. The group has no set location but comprises volunteers from all over New England who love dogs. In addition to its primary goal of helping homeless and abandoned dogs find loving forever homes, the group donates money to spay and neuter clinics to help solve the problem of pet overpopulation; engages in community outreach activities with local schools to help educate children and young adults about animal rescue and responsible pet ownership; and works with agencies that train dogs to assist the physically disabled and hearing impaired. Many dogs that were abandoned are now helping people lead independent lives. 

Hidden Battles, a nonprofit organization that strives to help preserve the healthy minds of military members and veterans and law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch and nursing first responders through treatment and counseling for depression, suicidal tendencies and PTSD. Hidden Battles’ primary goal is to raise awareness of suicide-related deaths that are often related to mental health issues stemming from post-traumatic stress disorder, job-related stress, traumatic brain injuries and the daily struggle of transitioning from military service back to civilian life. In partnership with both veteran and civilian organizations, the group offers monthly, confidential peer meetings, buddy pairings and workshops for not only our defenders but for the families and friends of those suffering or who have lost loved ones to suicide.