PUA is a program open to the following individuals:
Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
Those seeking part-time employment
Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law
As PUA is a separate program from regular unemployment insurance, they ask that you send constituent inquiries to Jennifer Lavin at
The DUA constituent service team (like Mavis Smith, for example) does not have access to the PUA platform, so they will not be able to help you with these claims. If you have policy questions please do not hesitate to reach out to .
Boston, MA, April 16, 2020 – NEADS, a non-profit organization that trains and places Service Dogs for people with physical disabilities and hearing loss, today announced the donation of a newly created coloring and activity book, Let’s Go with NEADS Service Dogs Arnie and Zara, to Boston-area hospitals. Matching a donation for every book sold, NEADS has already delivered 200 copies to Franciscan Children’s Hospital and will shortly send a shipment to Boston Medical Center’s Pediatrics Department. NEADS has trained and placed 1,800 Service Dogs since its founding in 1976, changing the lives of those with physical disabilities and hearing loss.
“We realize that having children at home unexpectedly can be challenging, and we hope Let’s Go will be a welcome diversion for parents everywhere,” says Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Director of Development. “And people who buy the books can feel good that they’re also helping children in need. NEADS Assistance Dogs are on staff at both Franciscan Children’s and Boston Medical Center, so they were logical partners.”
The fun and educational “A to Z” Coloring and Activity book is centered around words and phrases related to NEADS Service Dogs. Through the main characters, Arnie and Zara, the book demonstrates how the dogs help their human partners, featuring each letter of the alphabet. The book is perfect for a young dog lover to learn about Service Dogs while doing problem solving and tuning motor skills. It is ideal for ages 4-10 and was created by Lori Barrett, NEADS Creative Media Specialist. The coloring book can be purchased through the NEADS Shop for $7. All monies go to supporting NEADS mission.
NEADS is offering a free coloring page from the book and has also created a Discussion Guide for parents to share with children learning about Service Dogs and people with disabilities. In a further community collaboration, NEADS has created a bonus page featuring the Boston Duck Tours, a long-time supporter of NEADS. The two free coloring pages and Discussion Guide are available for download via the NEADS Shop.
“Having a resource like the NEADS coloring book to hand out to children and families will serve as a real asset to our care of patients,” said Molly Ann Duggan, Child Life Manager, Boston Medical Center. “During times of uncertainty, small tokens can go a long way to support our patients. The hospital environment, especially the Emergency Department, can be very stressful for children and their parents. Our staff focuses on caring for the whole patient and their loved ones. Diversionary activities such as this wonderful coloring book help promote a positive rapport and ease the experience.”
About NEADS Inc.
NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. For more information, please visit www.neads.org.
How Four Businesses Are Serving North Central Massachusetts
While non-essential business have been forced to shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies in North Central Massachusetts are stepping up with innovative and philanthropic solutions to support the community, health care institutions and those in need, while also taking measures to protect their employees.
From making hand sanitizer, to building temporary nurses’ stations, to setting up a drive-through window for food pickup, or donating storage containers and masks, local businesses are doing whatever it takes.
“We are proud and privileged to play a small role in helping our communities fight this fight,’’ said David Reilly, president of United Solutions in Leominster. “We are in regular contact with many state and local organizations, and our team here will continue to seek out ways to support our communities and the country.’’
United Solutions, a leading manufacturer of plastic totes, trash cans and storage organization solutions, donated Rubbermaid Roughneck Totes and Rubbermaid Action Packers to the Fitchburg Fire Department, Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Emergency Responders, Hopkinton Fire Department, and donated PPE masks to UMass Medical Center.
Reilly said their team is focused on keeping employees safe and healthy while working to meet the demand for products needed by families, essential businesses, first responders, healthcare professionals and military personnel on the front lines of this critical effort.
“At the same time, where we can help, whether it’s by getting our Rubbermaid storage or United Solutions sanitation and other products quickly to local organizations or donating excess PPE or PPE we can procure through our supply chains to organizations, we will do our best,’’ Reilly said.
Leominster-based AIS, a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and seating, has also taken several measures to support the community.
The company acquired and donated 4,000 KN95 mask to first responders in Leominster and Fitchburg, said Bruce Platzman, president and chief operating officer. He said the company is now also manufacturing and donating two different types of masks – a cloth mask made of three layers of fabric including a antimicrobial layer to help kill and repel germs and one less complex.
Platzman said he has converted an area of the company typically used to make seating just for masks. Production takes place 16 hours a day.
“If I had a million mask to donate, I could find people to take them,’’ he said.
In addition to the masks, AIS has adapted its manufacturing to provide equipment most needed by essential industries like hospitals.
Platzman said about 95 percent of its orders are going to organizations that need to stay open – an emergency nurses station for Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and projects for the FBI and the Pentagon, to name a few.
“If we get an order from a triage center in Brooklyn, which we did, and don’t deliver the chairs and desks they need, that triage center doesn’t open up,’’ Platzman said. “It’s as simple as that.’’
AIShas also taken many steps to protect its 700 workers.
The company is:
Using 10 cleaners instead of the usual two,
Requiring employees to take breaks and lunch outside the building.
Taking temperatures of employees three times a day.
Mandating the use of masks.
Circulating air through its ventilation system more often.
“If everyone keeps workers safe and finds a way to keep the workforce moving, we’ll all get through this sooner rather than later,’’ he said.
Another local company that has adapted its manufacturing to help meet the needs of the community is Garden Remedies.
Garden Remedies, which operates three marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts, has its cultivation center in Fitchburg.
Seeing an immediate need to keep its facilities clean during the pandemic, the cultivation center started producing its own sanitizer, said Dr. Karen Munkacy, the founder and president.
A team member of its topical department immediately switched gears into measuring and sewing face masks for dispensary staff members.
As the need for sanitizer increased, Garden Remedies joined with the Commonwealth Dispensary Association’s program to make 5 gallon jugs of sanitizers sold at cost for hospitals and first responders in the state.
The company has produced 200+ gallons of sanitizer and expects to continue for several more weeks.
“The Fitchburg team has done a great job of responding to the important needs of the community,’’ she said.
Munkacy said the pandemic has had a major impact on how they do business and on their overall business results.
“Despite all the challenges that the pandemic has brought on, the Garden Remedies team has worked extremely hard in our mission to help patients with safe and legal cannabis products and also to support the community by making sanitizing fluid for Massachusetts hospitals and for first responders in communities in which we operate,’’ she said.
Garden Remedies and places like Wachusett Brewing Company in Westminster continue to serve the public so they have taken additional steps to ensure the safety of their customers.
The timing of the pandemic could not have been worse, said Wachusett Brewing Company President Christian McMahan.
This is typically its peak production period as it ramps up for the summer. Additionally, they had recently opened a new Brew Yard in Worcester and were about to open one in Cambridge.
McMahan said they have had three guiding principles during this time: ensuring employment however possible, providing the safest possible environment for employees and supporting the community.
“When the Brew Yards all closed, we were the first brewery in MA to set-up a local delivery service and offer food and beverages for those who were not comfortable leaving their homes,’’ McMahan said. “We have expanded that to now having a drive-thru/curbside delivery option at our Westminster location, which is growing by the day. We also added an online ordering service to make it even easier for our customers to tell us what they would like and when they would like it.’’
He said the result as exceeded their expectations.
“I think people are looking to mix things up in their routine and if we can play a role in providing them some level of comfort and service through these crazy times, then certainly will continue to do whatever we can to make a difference,’’ McMahan said. “Our staff has been incredible in adapting to something completely new and different. There is no roadmap for what we are all dealing with. We just wake-up each and every day and do the best we can with what we have.’’
UPDATE
Since the writing of this article, Garden Remedies has also contributed $5,000 to the Stand United Covid-19 Relief Fund of North Central Massachusetts and their friends at the Fireman Family Foundation matched their contribution for a total of $10,000 donated to the worthy cause.
Company is designated Essential Employer during statewide emergency order
Leominster, MA – April 7, 2020 – AIS, a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and seating, remains open as a designated Essential Employer during the COVID-19 Crisis. The company’s decision is in direct response to urgent requests received through its sales and dealer network to provide product to critical services organizations throughout the country.
AIS will continue to manufacture and ship office furniture products to support the efficacy of hospitals and medical suppliers, biotech firms, local, state and federal agencies, IT firms and other critical providers throughout this crisis. Distributed product will help vital organizations continue to function by meeting the needs of their onsite and remote workers who are diligently working towards the mission of keeping the citizens of our nation safe, infrastructure running smoothly, and providing vital health services.
In addition to manufacturing its standard and custom office furniture solutions for critical customers, AIS is rapidly developing and producing unique products to help contain the COVID-19 virus. Cloth face masks are being sewn onsite and distributed to its employees and donated to frontline workers.
Personal protective equipment and screens are in accelerated product development and will be produced in a converted section of the 600,000 square foot factory.
To protect the health and well-being of its employees, the company has initiated stringent practices in accordance with CDC and WHO guidelines throughout their organization.
Corporate Employee Protocols:
Non-essential travel has been halted.
Non-essential employees in Leominster and around the country are working from home.
No face-to-face meetings are being held with groups.
Use of tele-conferencing technology to service customers and sales requests.
Social distancing practices are in place.
Ill employees are required to stay home.
Visitors are allowed by appointment into our facility – and only in small groups of 10 or less.
“I am so proud of our dedicated employees and truly humbled to be designated as an essential employer in Massachusetts. We are working together and doing everything in our power to keep our teams safe while providing solutions to help support the frontline heroes across the country,” AIS President and CEO Bruce Platzman said.
This designation comes as the governor of Massachusetts issued an emergency order requiring all business and organizations that do not provide COVID-19 Essential Services to close their workplaces to workers, customers and the public from 3/24/20 until 5/4/20.
AIS COVID-19 Response – Health and Safety Solutions brochure available here.
ABOUT AIS
AIS, headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and boasts one of the most impressive stories of growth and success in the furniture industry. Founded in 1989, the company is known for offering market-relevant, feature-rich product lines that entice designers and support the diverse needs of end-users while offering exceptional value. AIS is an innovator that leads the industry in sustainable, lean manufacturing, lead-time performance and manufacturing flexibility. AIS has permanent showrooms at its
Golden Girl Granola Sends Granola to Dark Monk Arts Equipment
Shirley, MA April 14 – Golden Girl Granola donated granola snack packs to hungry volunteers and staff at Dark Monk, a performing arts shop that has been converted into a face shield manufacturer during the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 cases of assorted snack packs were sent to Dark Monk as they produce face shields for hospitals across the northeast.
Dark Monk is a 1,500 square foot shop in Charlestown, Massachusetts known for their fire entertainment equipment. Owner Chad Bennett decided to help create personal protective equipment in the form of face shields as the need for this equipment became dire. Dubbed the Charlestown Face Shield Project, volunteers are producing thousands of face shields that are donated to hospitals in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and across the northeast.
When Dark Monk reached out to Golden Girl Granola, the wholesale bakery wanted to help. “Dark Monk called us and asked if we could donate granola for their volunteers. After hearing about the wonderful work they were doing, I didn’t think twice about sending our granola and support.” explains Deborah O’Kelly, owner of Golden Girl Granola.
The Charlestown Face Shield Project continues to make thousands of face shields as the hospital demand is still high. Since they are donating the equipment, there are costs that can be offset to help them continue production. They have a GoFundMe page where people can support the initiative.
“A month ago, Dark Monk was creating torches and wands. Now they’re creating life-saving equipment for our medical professionals and donating it to our community hospitals. They are an inspiration.” says Deborah.
About Golden Girl Granola:
Golden Girl Granola™ is a woman-led, family-owned wholesale bakery based in Shirley, Massachusetts that crafts the best-tasting artisan granola in New England. Golden Girl Granola uses a twice-baked and hand-stirred method using the finest all-natural ingredients to create a crunchy, wholesome and delicious taste. Products include loose granola offered in seven flavors and chewy granola bars. Golden Girl Granola offers the complete line nationwide for chain supermarkets, independent supermarkets, gourmet food stores, club stores and convenience stores.
Every spring, The Fitchburg Art Museum partners with the Laurelwood Garden Club to host Art in Bloom. This popular event invites local floral designers, garden clubs, and community members to interpret the art in their galleries with flower arrangements. FAM is closed this April, but FAM still wants to make their art bloom. And they invite you to help!
Starting on Monday, April 13th, FAM will share images of artwork from each of our galleries, plus a bonus piece from their collection that is not currently on display. You can find these images on their Facebook or Instagram, as well as their website. We hope you will choose one of these images and interpret it with flowers.
A new set of images will be shared each Monday through May 3rd. In honor of Mother’s Day, the fourth and final week will feature artwork from our collection featuring the theme of motherhood. You can interpret as many times as you wish. You are not limited to one.
Sitting home, rained in and looking for some amazing groceries to be delivered to your door this week? Roots has you covered!
As the state ramps up safety measures for grocery store workers, Roots urges everyone to choose curbside and delivery when possible.
Delivery or Curbside options are available with online shopping, however, Roots is accepting your orders via email for curbside pick up as well.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE
All orders are next day (Tues-Sat)
Roots has been very lucky to work with local, regional and national distributions. Their order team will call you with alternate products if some of your items are not in stock.
If you don’t see something you want or like.. please inform the team
New beer will support United Way COVID-19 Funds across Central Massachusetts communities
Wachusett Brewing Company and Atlas Distributing are releasing a new beer together that will directly raise money to support three COVID-19 response funds in the communities where they operate. The funds are the United Way of North Central Massachusetts Stand United Fund, the United Way of Tri-County Community Response Fund and ‘Worcester Together’, a joint effort between the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
“During these difficult days, we are humbled to partner with Wachusett Brewing and United Way to offer some assistance to our local communities”, said Jamie Salois, of Atlas Distributing. “We are so grateful to both Wachusett and United Way for their continued work in the community we serve every day.”
“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Atlas Distributing and United Way” said Christian McMahan, President of Wachusett Brewing Company.“We work in these communities, our employees and their families live in these communities, and we want to do everything we can to help support these communities when they need it the most.These are crazy times, if we can find a way to do some good through of all of this, that’s exactly what we will do”
“We could not be more grateful”, says Tim Garvin, President & CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts. “Atlas and Wachusett both have a long history of philanthropy in Central Massachusetts and to do something like this during this crisis is incredible.”
“We are proud to partner with Wachusett Brewing Company on this important initiative to support our community during this unprecedented time” added Kory Eng, President of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.
Glory American IPA is an approachable and modern expression of the IPA style that is double dry-hopped with Galaxy, Citra and Azacca hops.It will be released in 6pks the week of April 13th.
Celebrating 25 years in 2019, WBC produces a diverse, award-winning line of beers ranging from their best-selling Blueberry Ale to their highly-rated Wally New England IPA series. WBC was named of the top 50 largest craft breweries in the US in 2019.
About Atlas Distributing
Atlas Distributing, Inc. is a family owned and operated, full-service beer and beverage distribution company servicing licensed and non-licensed customers throughout the central Massachusetts market. Atlas has proudly served customers, consumers, and the community since 1933. The Atlas Team is proud, honored, and humbled to be serving this community for over 86 years!
The Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority (FRA) is pleased to announce the launch of its Emergency Economic Development Resiliency Grant for local businesses within the city of Fitchburg as a result of the impact of the coronavirus.
In view of the current state of the local economy due to the coronavirus, the FRA has developed the Emergency Economic Resiliency Grant consisting of an award of up to $2,500 to eligible grantees having a physical space within the Fitchburg business community. Funding is limited but the FRA hopes to provide relief to approximately 40 businesses that have been significantly vulnerable during this unprecedented time.
Applications for the grants will be available online through the FRA’s new website and Facebook page starting Monday, April 13, 2020 and review will continue until the funding runs out.
