HAVERHILL — Historic New England had appointed Nora Trebbe Maroulis as its new campaign director.
With a rich background in fundraising, Maroulis will spearhead planning for an ambitious $150 million to $200 million comprehensive campaign encompassing program advancement, capital investments, and endowment growth.
This campaign — the focus of a recent state earmark — will support diverse initiatives such as the proposed Haverhill Center on Essex Street and the revitalization of the Otis House property in Boston.
Historic New England recently received $250,000 in the state budget to support the organization’s recent proposal to create a mixed-use district in downtown Haverhill, made possible by the acquisition of a second commercial building at 143 Essex St. and adjacent parcels to its current headquarters and collections storage facility at 151 Essex St.
This ambitious project not only provides a space for exhibiting the organization’s extensive permanent collections, which feature historic art, objects, clothing, furniture, and more, but also envisions the inclusion of a hotel, retail spaces, and artist live-work areas.
The three-acre redevelopment site is conveniently located adjacent to the Haverhill MBTA Commuter Rail stop and steps away from the historic downtown area.
Maroulis will report directly to HNE President and CEO Vin Cipolla.
“Nora joins our team at a pivotal moment for Historic New England,” Cipolla said. “Her extensive experience working with arts, culture, and higher education institutions embarking on transformative initiatives, coupled with her personal commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage, makes her the ideal candidate to lead our campaign efforts.”
Visit online at historicnewengland.org.
Wells Fargo awards $150K grant to CAF for free legal help
LAWRENCE — Centro de Apoyo Familia has been awarded $150,000 over two years from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support outreach and free legal help to Latino families who are heirs to property in Massachusetts to them keep their homes.
With the donation, CAF will provide support and proactively identify heirs’ properties and provide tailored homeownership education and legal services referral to residents in those homes.
When a homeowner dies without a will, Massachusetts laws govern who inherits their property. The resulting tangled title, one in which multiple heirs have an equal interest in the property, can cause a family to lose the home altogether.
The grant is being funded via Wells Fargo’s Heirs Property Initiative, a nationwide program launched in 2022 that is providing $3.6 million in grant funding to local nonprofits to support work addressing issues of fractured or entangled titles. Homeowners can turn to these organizations for free legal assistance around tangled titles, estate planning, real estate taxes, and more.
“We are grateful to Wells Fargo for their partnership and for devoting the resources necessary to help address the many issues posed by heirs’ property in minority and underserved communities,” said Walkiria Pool, President and Founder of Centro de Apoyo Familiar (Family Support Center).
“We believe access to a quality, affordable place to call home is something everyone should have,” said Terence Floyd, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact for New England at Wells Fargo.
“Centro de Apoyo Familiar should be commended for bringing the issue of heirs’ property to the forefront and we’re grateful to be a part of this effort to transform a system that often leads to loss of property, land and wealth for families of color,” Floyd said.
Founded in 2006, CAF’s mission is to transform communities through economic, social, and educational empowerment in collaboration with community and faith-based organizations.
CAF serves more than 15,000 Hispanic and Latino families annually through its asset building programs that include housing counseling, financial literacy, Healthy Families, and workforce development services.
‘Best Day Ever’ to feature random acts of kindness
Merrimack Valley Credit Union workers will be taking part in the Best Day Ever in partnership with Kasasa and the Dream Machine on Nov. 3.
Kasasa offers free reward checking accounts exclusively through community banks and credit unions.
The Best Day Ever is a nationwide event organized by Kasasa and the Dream Machine founded by Charlie Rocket, who have joined with community banks and credit unions across the country with the goal of performing 100,000 acts kindness in a single day.
The day is meant to show how local community banks and credit unions are integral to the communities they serve and emphasize their role in preserving the vital human connection that is progressively disappearing from financial institutions.
To celebrate and participate in the Best Day Ever, MVCU team members from all branches and departments will head out into the community to perform Random Acts of Kindness and hope to inspire others to do the same.
Aspen Hills names new administrator
HAVERHILL — Aspen Hill Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Haverhill announced the appointment of Monica Roman as administrator.
Roman is a licensed nursing home administrator with experience in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities across the region. She leads the 126-bed Aspen Hill, located at 190 North Ave. The center is undergoing a major renovation to modernize the patient suites and rehabilitation setting.
“I am excited to join the Aspen Hill family and lead our care team’s mission in providing exceptional care to the community,” Roman said. “In addition to our orthopedic fast-track rehabilitation program, we are proud to now offer a new specialty pulmonary program, with rehab services focused on helping patients achieve the most active and independent life possible through better treatment and education.”
Roman previously served as a nursing recruiter in New Hampshire and the executive director of several skilled nursing facilities in the region. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health management and policy from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Business Administration and Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Networking mixer at Smolak Farms
NORTH ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Networking Mixer on Monday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smolak Farms, 314 S. Bradford St.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for future members and includes appetizers, a cash bar, and a paranormal discussion with the Essex County Ghost Project.
To register or for more information, visit online at merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Volunteer Expo is Oct. 18
HAVERHILL — The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will hold a Volunteer Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the UMass iHub, located on the third floor of the Harbor Place building at 2 Merrimack St.
This free event is open to students, seniors, or anyone looking to get involved with community service. Connect with local nonprofits to find out how you can volunteer with local communities.
Chamber preparing Annual Visitors Guide
HAVERHILL — The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce plans to print 10,000 copies of its 2024 Annual Visitor Guide, an invaluable resource for Haverhill and the surrounding area.
Copies will be distributed throughout the region, including at the DownEaster train stations in New Hampshire and Maine, the North of Boston Visitor Center in Salisbury, and the Manchester, N.H., Airport, as well as local colleges and real estate offices.
The chamber is accepting business ads for the visitors guide until Oct. 31. For more information contact Kate Martin at 978-373-5663.
Networking breakfast planned
HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Networking Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 27, from 8 to 9:15 a.m. at Frankie’s Beauty Bar, 173 S. Elm St.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for future members and includes coffee and a continental breakfast, and business card raffles.
To register or for more information, visit online at merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
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