Ribbon-cutting ceremony

LOWELL >> Community Teamwork Inc. cut the ribbon on the new Rita O’Brien-Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development at the Houlares Early Learning Center on Phoenix Avenue Sept. 25. The new center will provide all children and families at CTI with developmental and behavioral health services that nurture healthy social-emotional and educational development.

The center will identify child and family needs through comprehensive and ongoing assessments, and make referrals as indicated for individual and family clinical services.

O’Brien-Dee is one of CTI’s former parents, a teacher and current longtime board member. She has been a vocal advocate for supporting teachers and young children in CTI’s care throughout her more than 55 years of continuous involvement with the organization.

Hunger & Homeless Commission meeting

LOWELL >> Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Jeff McCue is the featured speaker during the city of Lowell’s Hunger & Homeless Commission meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

DTA serves the commonwealth’s low-income individuals and families. One in six residents of the state, including unhoused adults, receive direct economic assistance of cash benefits and food assistance such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from the DTA. Maura Fitzpatrick, Lowell’s director of homelessness initiatives, will provide attendees with an update and discussion of the Services Subcommittee of the City Manager’s Task Force on Homelessness and Sustainable Housing.

To register for the Zoom meeting, visit bit.ly/3ZIFx8x or call 978-674-4400.

Welcome to the graveyard

LOWELL >> The Gravestone Girls host a 90-minute illustrated virtual tour chronicling cemetery art, history and symbolism on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Pollard Memorial Library, Ground Floor Community Room, 401 Merrimack St.

The tour covers colonial New England burial grounds and explores how gravestones have evolved over the past 400 years. The presentation features photographs of original gravestones and burial grounds from cemeteries visited by the hosts over many years, including many from Lowell.

To register, visit bit.ly/4dsuJP6. For more information, call 978-674-4120.

Volunteer fair

LOWELL >> Connect with Lowell-based organizations, nonprofits and event organizers to discover volunteer opportunities in the city on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, Edson Hall at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 8 Kirk St.

The volunteer fair is open to all to organized by the city of Lowell’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with Mosaic Lowell. For more information, call 978-970-1600 or email info@mosaiclowell.org.

Blessing of the animals

TEWKSBURY >> A free annual blessing of the animals event takes place at the Tewksbury Congregational Church on Sunday, Oct. 6, between 1 and 2:30 p.m., 10 East St. Visitors are invited to bring their caged or leashed pets, or a photo of their companion pet, for a special blessing. All attendees will be given a treat bag and blessing card to take home. For more information, call 978-851-9411 or email tewksburycc.org.