Thursday, November 2, 2023, a very large and enthusiastic crowd gathered on Academy Street to celebrate the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Fitchburg Arts Community. While the temperature at 10 am was a chilly 39 degrees, guests arrived with warm hearts, ready to celebrate the long-awaited milestone. NewVue Board Member Derek Craig welcomed guests and jumpstarted a series of meaningful comments from several public officials, funders, and others who have played a large role in moving the project forward. “This project is going to be more than just buildings. It’s going to be a canvas for creativity, culture, and connection, with 68 spaces for artists to live, create, and showcase their work. We are not just building homes; we’re crafting a vibrant hub that will enrich and elevate Fitchburg’s art scene,” said Craig. While construction equipment could be heard humming in the background, Mayor Steven DiNatale, State Senator John Cronin, and State Representative Micheal Kushmerek each spoke to the value of the Fitchburg Arts Community and the stamina of NewVue, the City, and partners to see this project through ten years of progress and challenges.

EVENT PHOTOS

Ed Agustus, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and Dan Rivera, President and CEO MassDevelopment, made time to celebrate with the city and offered their congratulations for the unique reuse of three historic buildings and the impact of the project in our community and throughout the Commonwealth. In a follow-up to the event, Dan Rivera said “It was an honor to take part in this celebration, which was the culmination of 10-plus years of hard work by NewVue Communities and so many partners. Breaking ground on the Fitchburg Arts Community was an incredible milestone, and we can’t wait to come together again soon to cut the ribbon on this important project.”

NewVue Executive Director Marc Dohan led the ceremony, and while not so tall in stature, it was clear that he has a heart as big Texas for affordable housing projects and, more specifically, what the Fitchburg Arts Community will mean for the residents and businesses of the City of Fitchburg and the region.

Enjoy watching a video of the full groundbreaking ceremony beautifully captured by Nathan Glenny, Executive Director, Fitchburg Access Television.

FITCHBURG ARTS COMMUNITY GROUNDBREAKING

Below is a list of all event speakers. Each offered congratulations for the accomplishments thus far, comments that will clearly fuel the work of everyone moving forward.

Event Speakers

Marc Dohan, Executive Director, NewVue

Derek Craig, Resident of North of Main, NewVue Board Member

Stephen DiNatale, Mayor, City of Fitchburg

John Cronin, State Senator

Michael Kushmerek, State Representative

Jake Mastrandrea   Aid to Representative Lori Trahan

Ed Augustus, Secretary of Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

Dan Rivera, CEO, MassDevelopment

Roger Herzog,  Executive Director, CDAC

Mark Teden, Vice President of Rental Housing and MassHousing

Moddie Turay, CEO, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation

Nick Capasso,   Executive Director, Fitchburg Art Museum

Michael Williams, Relationship Manager, NeighborWorks America

Tom Gray, Board President, NewVue

Dolores Thibault-Muñoz, Deputy Director, NewVue

NewVue Communities is excited to welcome Dolores Thibault-Muñoz in the newly-created position of Deputy Director. Dolores started in the role on March 10^th and will be overseeing NewVue’s housing services, community organizing, small business development, and fundraising and communications teams.

NewVue’s Executive Director, Marc Dohan said, “Dolores brings a combination of skills, leadership experience, and an understanding of the region’s economic development needs that will support NewVue’s mission, strengthen our programs and stretch our impact. She offers a breadth and depth of human service experience in a variety of work settings, and we are fortunate to have her join our team.”

Dolores moved to Fitchburg, MA in 2006, where she became the executive director of the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center.  She then became interim executive director of Growing Places and House of Peace and Education Inc. Dolores has served on multiple boards of local organizations. She was also the first Latina elected City Councilor in the City of Fitchburg. Dolores graduated from DePaul University with a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies with a concentration in Public Policy and graduated with a JD from The Massachusetts School of Law. She most recently was a criminal defense attorney who represented indigent clients for the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts’ Public Defender Agency in Worcester County. She currently lives in Gardner, MA.

Dolores Thibault-Muñoz stated, “I look forward to taking the best of what I have learned thus far in my nonprofit leadership roles and pairing it with the exciting work in my role at NewVue. It is clear I have joined an organization that has the best interest of the community at the forefront of its work. Sometimes a change makes you feel like you have arrived back home. Returning to nonprofit community-based work in North Central Massachusetts feels very much like home.”

St. Patrick’s Day at NewVue Communities kicked off with a gathering of board members, staff, stewards, and delegates to discuss current economic development issues and budget priorities. Donuts With Delegates was an annual event before COVID, and this was the first time since the pandemic that NewVue hosted this event. Donuts With Delegates is an opportunity for staff to share current work, legislative priorities, and requests for support for community development-related budget issues. The gathering was held in person at NewVue Communities, 470 Main Street in Fitchburg.

Senator John Cronin, Representative Natalie Higgins (Leominster) and Rebecca Hess, Aid to Representative Michael Kushmerek (Fitchburg), heard firsthand the impact of the Community Investment Tax Credit Program and the Agency’s ability to leverage operational funds typically not supported through grants and other funding sources.

Additionally, the delegation heard more about the need for affordable housing and small business programs, home ownership and supporting healthier homes. Equally important addressing climate change as well as advocating for increased opportunities for childcare were also raised as topics for discussion by members of the community that are graduates of NewVue’s Stewards Training. Senator Cronin and Representative Higgins and Ms. Hess listened wholeheartedly and voiced their support for NewVue’s key legislative priorities.

Senator Cronin and Representative Higgins and Ms. Hess provided the group with an overview of their assigned committees on the state legislature and the work that each of those committees would focus on moving forward.

Marc Dohan, Executive Director at NewVue said, “the opportunity to sit and talk about what we see as priorities and to know they match strongly with the interests of our state legislative delegation is exciting. Senator Cronin, Representative Higgins and Representative Kushmerek have always been supporters and advocates for our mission. Their participation in our Donuts With Delegates event certainly reminded us of that strong support.”

As a member of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), NewVue Communities joins community development corporations across the Commonwealth to help drive the policy agenda for the 2023/24 legislative session. View all of the MACDC priorities related to advancing racial and economic equity by creating healthy communities:

MACDC 2023-2024 ADVOCACY AGENDA

FITCHBURG: DJenny Pierre announces the Grand Opening of Banm Santee, an organization with a mission to provide health support and quality education to all individuals. Banm Santee, meaning, “give me health,” provides Certified Nursing Certification training in both English and Spanish and can support students speaking French and Haitian Creole.

Banm Santee was initially created in Haiti in 2010 under the ownership of DJenny Pierre and is now based at 483 B Electric Avenue in Fitchburg. The company’s founder is experienced as an LPN and medical technologist in addition to teaching CNA courses. DJenny is certified as a CNA and CPR Instructor.

Banm Santee focuses on education with a diverse network by respecting an individual’s cultural background and ensuring person-centered care. “Our graduates will be confident, competent, and compassionate nursing assistants and will be serving the healthcare community proudly. Our graduates will see patients as a whole,” said DJenny Pierre, Owner at Banm Santee. The business currently focuses on CNA courses, CPR classes, and Continuing Education classes for CNAs.

The Banm Santee Grand Opening on May 15^th at 483 Electric Avenue will be a celebration that includes a ribbon-cutting at 1:00 p.m. by Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale and State Representative Michael P. Kushmerek. Refreshments and appetizers will be served.

Ray Belanger, Director of Small Business Assistance at NewVue Communities, worked with DJenny Pierre on her comprehensive business plan.  “It is clear DJenny places great importance on the quality of health of others and impacts that quality with her commitment to the course offerings and student experience at Banm Santee, said Ray. ‘DJenny was a pleasure to work with.

DJenny Pierre, Owner of Banm Santee, can be reached at (774) 578-2141 or banmsantee@gmail.com. Learn more about Banm Santee at www.banmsantee.com.

Our Small Business Technical Assistance Program is funded in part by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.

                        

NewVue Communities is pleased to announce that our most recent affordable housing project, The Carter School Apartments in Leominster, will receive the coveted 2021 Paul and Niki Tsongas Award from Preservation Massachusetts. The award celebration, slated for Thursday, May 20, will recognize projects that have displayed the highest level of commitment to historic preservation in Massachusetts.

The Carter School Apartments is also included in the pool of projects to be selected as the People’s Choice Award through a popular vote campaign. Join us in voting HERE as many times a day as you like.

Learn why the Carter School Apartments project is so remarkable.

A beautiful, stately building that sat vacant and badly deteriorating for over 20 years until it was rescued and restored, Carter School Apartments is the embodiment of preservation. Originally known as Leominster High School, it was designed by the locally prominent Worcester-based architectural firm of Frost, Briggs & Chamberlain. It is Leominster’s most elaborate public-school building. In 1963, the building was renamed to James G. Carter Middle School. In 1985, it was reorganized as an administration building for the School Department until 1995, when it was sold to a private party and remained vacant.

A Classical Revival-style red brick and granite structure, Carter School is an impressive five-story building encompassing 63,000 square feet. A brick boiler house and smokestack totaling 2,100 square feet complete the site, located in a picturesque, open setting in a residential neighborhood. When NewVue Communities, Davis Square Architects, and the project team first surveyed the building, because of its quality design and craftsmanship, the exterior was in good condition and the masonry well preserved. However, interior access was extremely limited due to the structurally compromised conditions from major water infiltration, stemming from the failed roof. Some floors had collapsed on one another, preventing safe building entry, and a cherry picker lift was required to inspect the upper floors.

The project team worked creatively to develop the best strategy to retain the school’s original character-defining features while creating quality housing. Classrooms were transformed into a mix of 14 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units featuring spacious layouts, high ceilings, and large windows allowing for an abundance of natural light. In the center of the building, former spaces such as the auditorium, cafeteria, and administrative offices were converted to common areas for resident gatherings and community space, fitness space, and storage. The boiler house was repurposed for additional storage space. Many historic elements were salvaged and re-installed, such as the original front and side doors, window and door wood trim, hardwood flooring, and chalkboards.

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Exterior envelop and heating systems were brought up to modern standards. The massive brick walls and roof received spray foam insulation, and the original single-paned wood windows were replaced with double-paned windows that closely match the original, yet are vastly more energy-efficient. The original heating plant, a coal-fired boiler that fed huge arrays of steam pipes, was replaced by heat pumps which use a fraction of the energy, shrink the carbon footprint, and provide air conditioning. The building proudly received Enterprise Communities’ GREEN Communities certification.

What makes Carter School’s transformation particularly special is the love, support, and pride from the community and local, state, and federal elected officials. Carter School enjoyed a long history filled with the community’s young students, providing education to many who remember the building fondly; some of those very same students have gone on to become residents. The significant alumni turnout of both students and staff at the community meetings and groundbreaking event made it clear to see just how much of an investment they had for their alma mater’s new chapter in life.

CONGRATULATIONS TO A WELL DESERVING PROJECT AN INCREDIBLE DEVELOPMENT TEAM!

On November 19, 2020, NewVue Communities’ Community Organizer, Francisco Ramos, received one of the most distinguished awards at the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations’ (MACDC) Annual Meeting. Honored as the recipient of The Ricanne Hadrian Award, Francisco’s work exemplifies the dedication and commitment to building economically and racially just communities through resident engagement.

Named after a staunch champion for community organizing and former Deputy Director of MACDC who passed away in 1996, The Ricanne Hadrian Award recipient is chosen through nominations submitted by community development organizations.

A resident of Clinton Massachusetts, Francisco joined NewVue Communities in October 2018, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as community organizer. His work history includes working with several Massachusetts organizations such as Health Care for All, the EDCO Collaborative, and United Interfaith Action, as well as various community-based organizations in Chicago. 

Marc Dohan, NewVue Executive Director said, “throughout Francisco’s career, he has been building a program model to train and empower community residents by engaging them in topic-specific trainings based on interests within the community. Our Community Stewards program started with Francisco’s arrival to NewVue and since that time, the impact of the program has been meaningful and longstanding. Our art stewards created festivals, painted murals and revitalized back alleys. In response to COVID, a group of stewards helped scale up the number of meals served by the North Central Massachusetts Faith-Based Coalition to homeless families from 200 to 1,600 per month. The education stewards partnered with the school department to foster parent engagement and to empower families of children with disabilities.  And in response to George Floyd’s murder, stewards helped organize marches, Juneteenth celebrations and a National Night Out event with the Fitchburg Police Department to talk about racial justice. These examples are just a small piece of the difference made by Francisco and stewards.”

Following the MACDC Annual Meeting, Francisco stated,  “I thank everyone at MACDC for honoring me with this award. It is received on behalf of all the stewards that have completed the NewVue Communities trainings in the first two years of the leadership development program. The success of our work in Fitchburg and the North Central region is directly related to the commitment and volunteerism that the stewards have displayed. Their countless volunteer hours completing trainings, visioning projects, implementing them and creating social change, impacts our communities now and certainly for the future. The success of my work as a community organizer would not have been possible if it were not for the stewards. Thank you to everyone who celebrates this work with me.”

On Friday, October 30, 2020 NewVue Communities and Fitchburg State University held a virtual graduation ceremony for community members who have stepped up to complete trainings to benefit their own professional development, but more importantly, to prepare them for roles of servant leadership in the community.

CHECK OUT OUR GRADUATION VIDEO

Alex Rodriguez, Organizer Steward and a recent graduate said, ” I have had a great experience and opportunity. It was great to be with like-minded individuals who want to make a difference. It was very refreshing especially in the world we are in now. I look forward to growing with the stewards and the community.”

Marc Dohan, New Vue Executive Director offered words of gratitude. “Thank you for taking the time to invest in yourself. By investing in yourself, you have made it possible to create change and make the world a better place. You are positioning yourselves to be better artists who will make the world more beautiful and better organizers who will make the world more just. You are taking care of your own financial future so that you can get out of debt, buy a car or a home or realize another dream. And many of you are thinking about the next generation by becoming education stewards and stewards for children with disabilities. We are so proud to be connected to the work that each of you do. Thank you”

VIEW THE PROGRAM AND LIST OF GRADUATES HERE

Join us online every Tuesday evening from 6pm-8pm to participate in NewVue Communities Art Stewards Training.

October 20 through December 8, 2020

FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE

Welcome and Introduction  October 20, 2020

Intro to Training Series

By: Jessie Olson

• What is The Big Picture
• What topics will be included?
• Who will be the presenters?
• Goals for the series
• Questions & answers

Water Street Bridge  October 27, 2020

The Rail Trail: Leominster-Fitchburg

By: Tom Skwierawski, City of Fitchburg

• What are the plans?
• What is the timeline?
• What is the cost?
• When will it be completed?
• Possibilities for participation of art stewards

The Theatre Block Project  November 3, 2020

By: Tom Skwierawski, City of Fitchburg

• What are the plans?
• What is the timeline?
• What is the cost?
• When will it be completed?
• Possibilities for participation of art stewards

FAM Artist Resident Selection November 10, 2020

By: Nick Capasso, Fitchburg Art Museum

The Fitchburg Arts Community  November 17, 2020

By: Marc Dohan, NewVue Communities

• What are the plans?
• What is the timeline?
• What is the cost?
• When will it be completed?
• Possibilities for participation of art stewards

ReImagine North of Main    November 24, 2020

MassDevelopment TDI

By: Joe Fergusson and Francisco Torres

• What are their roles?
• Are there any future projects?
• What are their costs?
• Is there a timeline?
• Possibilities for participation of art stewards

Main and Boulder Streets December 1, 2020

Two Way Streets

By: Tom Skwierawski, City of Fitchburg

• What are the plans?
• What is the timeline?
• What is the cost?
• When will it be completed?
• Possibilities for participation of art stewards

Overview and Next Steps  December 8, 2020

By: Jessie Olson, Facilitator

• Public art and social justice
• What does the current moment call for?
• How do we respond?
• How can art impact social change?

GRADUATION CEREMONY December 18, 2020   6pm-8pm

NewVue Communities thanks our fellow sponsors: City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg Art Museum, Mass Development and North of Main