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Just Remember Tip
Lawrence Planing Director Michael
R. Sweeney
10/03/06
 Just Remember TIP Too often
in life and death situations the last issued addressed,
if at all, is the issue of trauma. Survivors of a tragic
event or loss are flooded with emotions and unable to
navigate the situation they are confronted with.
The Merrimack Valley is fortunate to have the Trauma
Intervention Program. Created in 1993 by Jayan Landry
Conlin, the program seeks to provide emotional support in
a caring and meaningful way in the hours immediately
after an individual or family have experienced a tragedy.
During the his-toric flooding that impacted the Merrimack
Valley, Executive Director Conlin and her team of
volunteers provided an invaluable support mechanism to
families in the area dealing with the emotional trauma of
having their home or neighborhood wiped out.
Without fanfare Jayan Conlin and her dedicated volunteers
provide critical trauma care when people need it the
most. They are trusted by fire and police officials
throughout the Merrimack Valley. If you have been looking
for a trustworthy non-profit that has real impact on the
lives of people from all walks of life, you should
consider making a donation to the Trauma Invention
Program of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. at 167 East Street,
Methuen, MA 01844. For more information try their website
at www.traumaintervention.com
Creating Diversity In Housing
At-Large City Councilor Nilka Alverez-Rodrigues has been
able to bring an exciting opportunity to Lawrence.
Working with the state’s Executive Office of Health
and Human Services, we are hoping to provide greater
opportunities for people to create accessible housing in
the City of Lawrence. During our next round of request
for proposals, we will actively call for bids to create
housing that better integrates people with disabilities
into the community. The Planning Department is going to
identify three to six parcels over the course of the next
year that would be most suitable for construct of a home
that provides maximum accessibility for individuals with
disabilities.
The goal is to increase the opportunities for housing
options in the community for people with disabilities.
Utilizing the concepts of universal design and
visitability will provide a greater range of housing
options and ensure people with a range of disabilities
that the housing market has a place for them to be
engaged.
The one aspect of this program that Law-rence will push
the Commonwealth on, is in providing the opportunity for
home owner-ship. Many of the current program guide-lines
call for housing developed under these loans to be rental
units. People with disabil-ities should be offered the
opportunities and pride that come with home ownership.
The building of equity is also a great benefit for this
community to have greater access to and will hopefully
allow them greater choices as they move through life.
Numerous surveys by the Commonwealth has shown a desire
by elders and people with disabilities to live in their
own homes or apartments. A critical piece to help ensure
this is to build more homes and apartments with the
physical environment needed by elders and people with
disabilities.
Michael
Sweeney is the planning director for the city of
Lawrence, a former member of the Lawrence City Council
and School Committee. You can e-mail Mr. Sweeney at
Esqsweeney@aol.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The October, 2006
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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Beach, and Lowell.
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