The perpetual arrivals of immigrants are you and me.
- Walt Whitman
Mission
ONE Lowell strives to be the voice that improves the life, opportunities and involvement of culturally diverse people in the Lowell Community.
Our Values:
- Facilitate the integration, self-sufficiency, and respect of diverse
individuals. - Promote engagement of refugees and immigrants in the Lowell community.
- Strengthen education, employment opportunities and community leadership.
- Assist others in providing culturally and linguistically accessible services.
- Build partnerships with other organizations to serve this community.
Since its inception in 2001, ONE Lowell has been dedicated to increasing the integration and self sufficiency of Lowell's many newcomers by strengthening civic participation, developing strong leadership and increasing access to vital services.
Lowell has always been a home to newcomers. Beginning in the 1800's immigrants from all over the world came to Lowell to start a new life and through their hard work contributed to the vitality of this great city. At the turn of the century Greek, French Canadian and Polish immigrants poured into Lowell and joined the Irish immigrants to work in the mills. Their labors gave life to the Industrial Revolution which began here in Lowell.
While the first wave of immigration was mostly Anglo Europeans, more recent newcomers are Asians, Latin Americans and Africans coming from Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Laos, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and a variety of African countries. These newcomers are making Lowell their new home and contributing to the city's vitality by opening new businesses, providing a dedicated workforce and becoming first time homeowners.
Currently we are working on two major initiatives that address some of the different needs in these communities; the School Success for Newcomer Parents Program and training sessions to promote Refugee and Immigrant Leadership Development as well as multicultural awareness for organizations. Each of these initiatives works in a unique way to break down barriers and give newcomers the tools they need to participate in civic and social life. Please visit the individual links above to find out more about them and to see how you might become involved.
Staff
Victoria Fahlberg- Executive Director. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Victoria has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and MA in International Health, she worked nearly 20 years as a clinical psychotherapist, specializing in Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. She spent 8 years working as a university professor and researcher in Brazil. She started a non-profit service organization in the City of God, Rio de Janeiro. She currently serves on the Governor's Commission of Sexual and Domestic Violence and co-chairs the Immigrant and Refugee Committee.
Robyn Long-Navas - Community Program Coordinator. Originally from Westford, MA, Robyn received her BS from URI and spent three years working as an environmental educator in Rhode Island. She served for three years as a
Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala promoting environmental education in the local schools. After her service, she spent two years traveling and holding temporary positions before joining ONE Lowell and settling in Lowell with her husband and cat, both from Guatemala.
Miguel Lopez - Parent Liaison. Originally from Ecuador and Colombia,
Miguel is retired from the Department of Transitional Assistance after 20
years of helping families in the Spanish-speaking community. He worked in
Columbia as a radio show host and continues that work in Lowell on WUML. He also hosts a weekly talk show, Café Latino, on LTC channel 8.
Pitou Phat - Parent Liaison. Pitou came to the USA in 1990's as a Cambodian refugee. Pitou was a professional soccer player before the genocide. During his years in the USA he has engaged in non-profit service to the Cambodian community.
Marcia Strauss - Parent Liaison. Originally from Brazil, Marcia spent several years working with the Brazilian community through Gear-Up, and educational programs at UML.
Ana Suarez - Parent Liaison. A native of Puerto Rico, Ana is a who spent more than 10 years as a Community Health Educator at the Lowell Community Health Center, providing services to the Spanish-speaking community.
Board
The following individuals commit their time and energy to the success of ONE Lowell. Note that they all were born in diverse parts of the world and represent the multiculturalism of our community.
Juliet Berk - Zimbabwe
Ruth Jappah-Samukai- Liberia
Maria Lopez - Puerto Rico
Mauricio Mendes - Brazil
Russ Smith - Massachusetts
Sophan Sok - Cambodia
Sayon Sueon - Cambodia
Felicia Sullivan - New York
Ana Vasconelos - Portugal
Tom Wilson - Oklahoma
