The days are getting longer, the ground is getting softer and buds are appearing on the trees—Happy Spring!

We have a lot of exciting things happening—please join us!

Please join us in welcoming Rasy R. An to CBA!

We’re so excited to have Rasy join the CBA staff as a Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator! Rasy will oversee and assist the Foreclosure Mitigation Counselors in setting up efficient systems to ensure that all clients received proper and timely services. He believes that this is a great opportunity for him to use his experiences to help the community. Please stop by and say “hello” to Rasy.

The Home Preservation Coalition of the Merrimack Valley—Helping to prevent foreclosures in our communities!

Responding to the incredible need for foreclosure assistance, CBA has partnered with other organizations in the Merrimack Valley to create The Home Preservation Coalition (HPC) which serves the communities of the Merrimack Valley, with a particular focus on the cities of Lawrence and Lowell. The Lowell branch of the HPC will be opening soon at 450 Merrimack Street. The HPC will hold default clinics for homeowners facing foreclosure in addition to providing individualized counseling and help with loan modifications or refinancing. Stay tuned for more information about the Grand Opening of the HPC in Lowell.

 If you are worried about your mortgage call the HOPE Hotline (1-888-995-HOPE) .

The Greater Lowell IDA Collaborative (GLIDAC) is pleased to announce a new asset development program!

CBA and community partners, including CTI, Casey Family Services and The Caleb Foundation, have come together to offer a new asset development program, including individual development accounts (IDA), to Lowell-area residents. As a part of the program, qualified participants will participate in a free seven-week Financial Literacy Academy (FLA) and be expected to save approximately $50 each month toward the purchase of a home, to start a business or to return to school. Qualified participants will then have an opportunity to have their savings matched on a 3:1 ratio. For every dollar you save, up to a maximum of $2,000, the program will be matched with $3. The next FLA will begin May 13, 2008, for more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Christina Santos-Gordon at CTI. She can be reached at 978-654-5080 ext 23.

Buy a brick to support the Moody Street Playground!

Please join with us in our efforts to make this playground a safe and fun space for everyone! CBA is selling bricks to raise money to help pay for improvements to the Moody Street Playground. The bricks will be placed on a retaining wall close to the basketball court. CBA has partnered with the City of Lowell, the Jericho Road Project, landscape architects from Sasaki and Associates, and local young people to create an exciting plan for the playground. Your support will help create a safe and fun place for our youth to play. If you are interested in helping out with the Buy-a-Brick campaign or want more information about the campaign, please contact Marianne Gries at ext. 815 or marianne.gries [at] cbacre.org.

Did you know that CBA is partnering with UMass Lowell to research housing stock?

We are! CBA staff and members are working with faculty and students at the university to conduct research on the amount and quality of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units and reaching out to renters who live in rooming houses downtown. Our ultimate goal is to protect, preserve and possibly improve the quality and number of SRO units in the area. If you are interested in more information about this project or want to help, please contact Robyn Long-Navas at ext. 809 or robyn.long.navas [at] cbacre.org.

Your contribution is an investment in our neighborhood's future. Please give generously.

Make a Donation.

Our Mission: The Coalition for a Better Acre is a membership based community development corporation dedicated to resident empowerment and sustainable community revitalization for current and future residents of Lowell. We promote healthy, vibrant neighborhoods by developing resident leaders, affordable housing and economic opportunities, and by responding to community needs through collective action. Read more about our mission, vision, values and approach »