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Who is the MVPC?
Jan 28, 2022
What regional agency focuses on the Environment, Transportation, Economic Develeopment and Information Technology? The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Serving the Merrimack Valley for more than 60 years. Join us as we learn more from Ian Burns, Economic Development Coordinator, to find out more about this dynamic and terrific resource! |
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Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority
Feb 18, 2022
Noah Berger is the Administrator and CEO of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA), which is the local transit provider serving sixteen cities and towns across the Merrimack Valley, including Andover. MVRTA carries over two million riders per year on its family of local and intercity bus routes, commuter routes, employment routes, demand-response van runs, and even a seasonal beach run! Since his appointment to the position by the MVRTA Board in July of 2021, Noah has been riding the buses and reaching out to key stakeholders, of which the Andover Rotary Club is of course the most important example! MVRTA is currently embarking on several exciting initiatives to increase access and opportunity across the region, including going-fare free this coming March, adding bus stops, rebranding the look and feel of its vehicles and spaces, optimizing routes, and introducing dynamic scheduling to its van service. Noah is an almost thirty-year veteran of public transportation. He has previously held leadership positions with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, Connecticut Transit, the Greater Hartford Transit District, the Federal Transit Administration, the Boston Foundation, the MBTA Advisory Board, Cambridge Systematics, the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, as well as Boston’s Parker Shelter, Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders, and the New York Yankees. He is an exhibited oil painter, and has served on the boards for ARTmorpheus in Boston and the New Art Center in Newton, MA. He is the author of By Bus, Bike or Boat: A Rider’s Guide to Public Transit in Greater Burlington and Vermont, and “The Guardian of the Birds” in John Abarno’s The Ethics of Homelessness: Philosophical Perspectives, and has Master’s Degrees in City Planning from M.I.T., and Philosophy from the State University of New York. |
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Uncommon Threads
Feb 23, 2022
Join us as Andover Rotary goes on the Road to Uncommon Threads. You will learn more about this life changing non-profit that works everyday to support economically disadvangted women through the power of clothes and personal development coaching, while enjoying light refreshments, networking, knowledge and more! You'll also get a chance to discover Uncommon Closet, the BONS award-winning social enterprise that benefits Uncommon Threads. www.uncommonthreads.org Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 5:30 - 7 PM, 60 Island Street, Suite 150, Lawrence. Plenty of free parking available.
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Laptops for Learning
Mar 25, 2022
Jeff Williams is the founder of TEK Collaborative. Operating from their office in Amesbury, MA, TEK Collaborative provides refurbished laptops and Chromebooks to people in need throughout Essex county. Jeff began this initiative in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when he watched his daughter's classmates and teachers struggle with remote learning due to a lack of access to reliable internet enabled devices. Jeff started by distributing a few devices of his own that he had gathered over his many years working in IT. It quickly became apparent that there was a much greater need than was first realized. Jeff launched a GoFundMe campaign called "Laptops for Learning" and over about an eight month period raised about $12,000. Every dollar that was collected was used to acquire devices that could be distributed to anyone in need. In 2021 a partnership with the Essex County Community Foundation was formed and TEK Collaborative was born. The "TEK" in TEK Collaborative stands for Technology, Education, and Kindness which are the principles that brought forth this initiative. Together with the ECCF, TEK Collaborative has distributed over 1000 laptops and Chromebooks to individuals and organizations throughout Essex County as part of the ECCF Digital Equity initiative. Devices are provided free of charge, and when coupled with the many free internet hotspots being rolled out, the mission of closing the digital divide can become a reality. Jeff lives in Amesbury, MA. He is married to Elizabeth Hockmeyer-Williams, together they have one daughter, Eleanor (13), and 5 dogs. |
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Voices of Hope
Apr 01, 2022
Greg founded Voices of Hope in 2009 after the loss of his mother to Pancreatic Cancer. It was supposed to be a one night show to give back to the cancer community who worked so hard to save his mothers life. But that one night led to understanding how he and his friends could help in this fight as so many people are effected by this disease. Now eleven years later and with over 15 performances, VOH has grown from 22 members to over 200 volunteers who have donated hundreds of hours and have donated close to $900,000 to cancer research. For the past 9 years VOH has partnered directly with the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the MGH Cancer Center and are currently the second largest donor to the center. Greg chose this method of fund raising as he has always been a performer since his mom took him to his first audition in high school and has been doing theater ever since. Prior to VOH Greg worked in the financial/investment world for over 30 years in New York and Boston as well as at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly. Greg’s wife Jean and daughter Gabriela have been integral partners in this journey and he could not have made this switch to fund raising without their support. The tag line “We are ordinary people on an extraordinary mission” is as true today as it was when we started this journey in 2009. For more information https://www.vohboston.org/ |
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Ironstone Farm New Executive Director
Apr 08, 2022
Kerri Whalen is the new Executive Director of Challenge Unlimited/Ironstone Farm; an Andover equine therapy farm that provides therapeutic, educational, and recreational opportunities using the resources of the farm and its environment to help all involved experience joy and enhanced quality of life. Ironstone farm serves over 500 individuals and families each month and provides services for people with disabilities and their families, Veterans, individuals suffering from mental health and PTSD, cancer patients and survivors and trauma victims. Kerri is excited to be reaching out to key stakeholders and the Andover Rotary Club to share the amazing stories of the people and families whose lives have been changed through the love and connection they have received at the farm. Ironstone Farm is launching new programs and initiatives to increase the numbers of individuals we can support and serve, and our Vet Retreat house is almost complete. It is an exciting time for Ironstone Farm! Kerri credits her love for the non-profit sector from her years as an Americorps Volunteer working with low-income families. This experience gave Kerri a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for the people and communities they serve; one program at a time. Kerri’s experience encompasses work as a clinician, Program Director and later Development Director with more than fifteen years of experience in grant development, corporate giving, individual fundraising, and project management. Kerri later served as Deputy Executive Director where she led teams to deliver outstanding client and stakeholder experiences and identified best practices on internal systems with an eye on the long-term vision of the organization. Kerri says “I am thrilled and honored to join the team at Ironstone; it is truly a special place. The horses and the environment at the farm are giving individuals and families hope, happiness and connection and it is life changing to witness and be a part of.” Kerri is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with the community of Andover to build strong partnerships that create lasting community change. On the weekends you will find Kerri spending time with her husband and two teenaged children outdoors on the hiking and cross-country ski trails or building Legos with her nephews. |
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Join us as we hear from Andover's Public Works Team!
Apr 22, 2022
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Andover Community Trust
Apr 29, 2022
Join us as we hear from Andover Commuity Trust (ACT) Executive Director, Denise Johnson as ACT celebrates 30 years serving the community. Denise is a 30-year veteran of non-profit management. She joined the board of Andover Community Trust in 2012. In 2014, she began her tenure as executive director following founder Susan Stott in that role. Prior to ACT, Denise spent 24 years at the Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy. She currently serves as the vice chair of the Creative Education Foundation sparking creativity in others and as the treasurer of the Andover Cultural Council supporting the arts in our community. |
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Reimagining Education: The Tang Institute at Andover
May 13, 2022
Eric Tang, Director of Partnerships, Tang Institute, Phillips Academy Eric serves as the Precourt Director of Partnerships at Phillips Academy. Prior to joining the Academy, he served as associate director of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders community and participated in the Forum’s Global Leadership Fellows program. Previously, he worked with the Inter-American Development Bank as a social sector research fellow.
Eric also served as a teacher of religion at Notre Dame Catholic High School (Fairfield, Conn.), evaluated a Central American civic education program with the Academy for Educational Development, and was employed by Accenture as a public sector consultant. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he carried out research on regional economic integration and education policy in South America.
Eric earned a BA degree in international studies from Fairfield University and an MA degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. |
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EforAll - Lowell
May 27, 2022
Sophan Smith is the Executive Director of EforAll Lowell. Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is accelerating economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship. Programs include a Business Accelerator program, Pitch Contest, Virtual Workshops and co-working space. |
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Merrimack River Watershed Council
Jun 10, 2022
MATTHEW THORNE, Executive Director Matthew brings to MRWC a drive for systems-thinking, strategic planning, and organizational sustainability. He loves to turn innovative ideas into projects on the ground. His background in restoration ecology, outdoor education and art brings a creative, intuitive perspective to his non-profit leadership approach. Prior to settling in New Hampshire, Matthew spent the last 15 years working alongside diverse populations from the highlands of Guatemala up to the rain forests of southeast Alaska. Before joining MRWC, Matthew oversaw farm and food access programming at the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success in Manchester, NH. Matthew holds a B.A. from American University in International Development and an MS in Restoration Ecology from University of Washington.
TRACEY CHALIFOUR, Director of Development Tracey is a versatile professional with a successful track record of fundraising, grant writing, special event planning, marketing and communications, and leadership roles for non-profit organizations in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore of Massachusetts. Tracey’s development expertise is instrumental in building the durable and generous support that we need to protect and improve the health of the watershed for all to enjoy. Joining MRWC in October 2021, Tracey’s career path has taken her on a journey through cities and towns located along the Merrimack River, working for healthcare, cultural, and human services agencies. Prior to her nonprofit experience, Tracey worked in the technology and hospitality sectors. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from UMass-Amherst, in business administration and in hospitality administration. Tracey has lived in cities and towns adjacent to the Merrimack River for almost her entire life, and has served on the board of a local trail organization with direct connections to the river since 2004. Working at the MRWC is right at the confluence of her professional and personal experiences and interests. tracey@merrimack.org |
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Aware Recovery Care
Jul 15, 2022
Keith Abare has been a Clinical Outreach Manager with Aware Recovery Care since September 2020 when Aware was granted licensure in Massachusetts. He currently works closely with law enforcement and military entities as well as treatment centers and community advocacy groups across Massachusetts. He travels to other US states as subject matter expert on the topic of Addiction within Law Enforcement and provides education on the topic of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Keith graduated in 1993 from Mt. Wachusett Community College with a Major in Criminal Justice. After graduation, he dedicated 22 years of his life to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections as both a Corrections Officer and subsequently as a Peer Counselor within the Employee Assistance Unit. It was in 2016 when he transitioned from Corrections Officer to the position of Peer Counselor within the EAU and in this role he received both The Governors Council for Addiction Awareness Award as well as the Charles Gaughan Award which recognizes employees who best exemplify the spirit of humanity and compassion. He currently holds 17 ICISF Continuing Education Certifications available by request. Keith’s extensive background and knowledge of both the culture of law enforcement as well as the culture of the incarcerated gives him an intimate and unique perspective around the role that AUD and SUD plays across populations. His devotion to the mental health and wellbeing of fellow officers both past and present, as well as to their families, sheds light on the fact that addiction does not discriminate. He has devoted his life to creating awareness around AUD/SUD and available treatment options, as well as to personally providing assistance to those struggling from substance abuse. Keith resides in Fitchburg and is married with two children. Sadly in 2021, Keith lost his oldest child to addiction. |
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Get to know our own Paul Mercandetti and Nancy Martinez from DCF
Jul 22, 2022
Join us for an Anodver Rotary Double Header! Nancy Martinez, Family Resource Recruiter, MA Departmemnt of Children & Families will talk to us about the Foster Care system. Currently works for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) - Lawrence Area Office. Nancy has worked for DCF for 17 years. While at DCF Nancy has worked as a Social Worker in different positions such as Assessment Social Worker, On Going Social Worker, Intake Social Worker, Family Group Conference & Family Find Coordinator and her last and most current position is Family Resource Recruiter. As a Family Resource Recruiter Nancy is responsible for spreading the awareness to the public and providing information about our great need of Foster Homes for our children in DCF custody. Nancy focuses on educating perspective applicants regarding the process of becoming a licensed Foster or Adoptive Parent by guiding them through this journey. EVERY PARENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE is our motto Andover Rotary's own Paul Mercandetti will give a classification talk...and it's Friday! |