Lowell - It started as a grassroots organization of residents, clergy, businesspeople, and non-profit leaders determined to save the Acre neighborhood from an urban renewal plan that would have displaced hundreds of people from the only homes many of them had ever known.
They were successful and over the past 40 years the Coalition for a Better Acre has grown into so much more - from fighting slumlords, to training neighborhood women to become licensed daycare providers, enriching the educational experience of Acre kids through the YES afterschool program, and of course providing safe, affordable housing, which is the backbone of their mission.
Since 1982, CBA has invested more than $170 million to create stable neighborhoods in Lowell, Dracut, and Haverhill, housing more than 1,400 people in 534 affordable rental units and 50 homes for first-time homebuyers, as well as supporting 34 businesses in commercial spaces.
In addition to proving housing, CBA is dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty and leading families on the path to economic self-sufficiency through programming that provides economic, educational, community building, and civic empowerment opportunities.
On Thursday October 6, CBA celebrated 40 years of community building with an anniversary party at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium attended by more than 400 members, supporters, and friends. A delicious buffet dinner was provided by the YouthBuild Culinary program.
During the event, Adelino Caires, who drives graduates of CBA’s STEP workforce development program to and from their jobs, was honored as Employee of the Year. Adelino has become integral to the continued success of STEP (Supported Training Education Program) graduates and has gone above and beyond his regular duties time and time again. In an organization like CBA that has a small staff but a lot of projects and activities happening, it is staff members like Adelino whose selflessness and dedication keep things running smoothly.
The party was also an opportunity to recognize and honor 40 individuals and organizations that have been key to the success of CBA over the past four decades. The honorees, most of whom were able to attend the event, included:
Acre Family Child Care, Angel Bermudez, Laura Buxbaum, James Campbell, Frank Carvalho, Arva Clark/The Acre Kids, Arlene Dias, George Duncan, Debbie Fox, Charlie Gargiulo, Michael Heath, Cecilio Hernandez, Tyler Jones, Lowell Development & Financial Corp., Brother Valmond Leclerc, Armand Lemay, Judith Lieben, Maria Lopez, Sothara Ly, Maloney Properties, Inc., Mill Cities Community Investments, Jim Milinazzo, Anita Moeller, Elkin Montoya, Madeline Nash, Neighborworks of America, Dave Ouellette, Diana Quinones, Kate Racer/DHCD, Emily Rosenbaum, Jerry Rubin, Bunrith Sath, Francisca Sierra, Charlie Sullivan, Father Diego James Taggart, Bill Traynor, Dave Turcotte, UnWrapped Inc., Mary Uy, and Gerardo Vidal.
“It was incredible to be able to bring back and honor so many of the people and organizations who have been critical to CBA’s existence and success over the last 40 years,” said CEO Yun-Ju Choi. “The evening was a great opportunity to reflect on the history of the organization, celebrate the present, and look forward to the completion of projects currently in the pipeline and beyond. Everyone who is part of the CBA family is forever grateful for the passion, kindness, and work of those who came before us and the continued love and support from the community. We are looking forward to the next 40 years and beyond.”
CBA founder Charlie Gargiulo shared, “For us old-timers who were privileged to be honored, it gave us a memory we will never forget and an opportunity to see beloved friends and comrades we haven't seen in years, and even decades. It's not often people tasked with the hard day to day job of running an organization as dedicated and complex as CBA, continue to try and keep a solid connection with those who came before them.”
There are several projects in the works at CBA, including building a new four-story building at 555 Merrimack St. in Lowell that will include retail space on the ground floor and 27 apartments – a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units on the upper floors. The focus of the project is to provide affordable, permanent housing and appropriate programming and support service in partnership with Lowell House, Inc. for people who have been in recovery from a substance abuse disorder for at least one year.
For more information about CBA, visit: www.coalitionforabetteracre.org
Thank you to Jennifer Myers for volunteering her time to produce this news story about CBA’s 40th Annual Meeting on October 6, 2022 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.