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Welcome to the May newsletter from State Representative Tara Hong's office! We're thrilled to share some exciting updates and plans for the coming months. |
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A picture from the May 26th "Spill the Tea" event with students from Healthy Youth & Parents Through Partnership & Empowerment (HYPPE), |
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Hi everyone,
The month of May has been full of celebrations, graduations, and moments of pride across our community. Congratulations to everyone who completed their school year or graduated this month. Your hard work, dedication, and determination is inspiring, and I look forward to working alongside many of you to continue addressing the real issues facing our community. I also hope to see more good people step up to serve, stay involved, and consider running for office in the future.
I strongly believe May is a month of hope — a reminder that when we work together toward positive results, we can create meaningful change and see the positive impact in our neighborhoods and across our community. Whether it is supporting our schools, helping working families, improving infrastructure, or creating more opportunities for young people, progress happens when we stay united and engaged.
As we move into the summer months, I want to encourage everyone to continue staying involved and connected with our office. Your voice, concerns, and ideas matter. If you or your family ever need assistance with a state issue, community concern, or help connecting to resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to listen, support, and advocate for the people of the 18th Middlesex District.
My commitment remains the same: to continue doing the work that is best for our residents, families, seniors, students, and small businesses. Together, we can continue building a stronger, safer, and more hopeful future for our community.
Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and trust.
Tara Hong
State Representative
18th Middlesex District |
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May 2 I had a great evening at the Points of Light Lantern Celebration! Thank you to the organizers for putting together such an amazing event each year. It was wonderful to see so many talented performances from our Lowell High School students and other incredible performers.There were also so many great food and drink vendors to enjoy. I even had the opportunity to jump into the water to help with the lanterns — such a special experience!
I look forward to celebrating again next year! |
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May 11 I had the honor of joining Ms. Miranda and her colleagues at the Daley Middle School to speak with students about the importance of government and civic engagement, and the role they play in getting things done for our community here in the 18th Middlesex District and the City of Lowell.I was honored to speak with so many amazing students and answer their thoughtful questions! |
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Also on May 11 I joined Owen Kelly for a tour of the Lowell Center for the Arts at the Smith Baker Center. It was great to see how much support has already come together to help make this important project possible, both financially and through community involvement.
I encourage everyone to visit https://www.lcalowell.org to learn more about the project and support their work if you are able to. |
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May 12 I met the incredible students at Lowell High School as they presented their Early College capstone projects.
Programs like Early College are so important. Thanks to the partnership between Lowell High School and Middlesex Community College, our students can earn college credits, explore career paths, and get ahead on their future education, ALL at no cost to families. |
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May 13 Thank you to Middlesex Community College for always putting together an amazing event each year to honor and celebrate AAPI Month. Lowell and MCC have long served many members of the Asian American community, including Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Chinese, and many other communities that bring their cultures and traditions to our city. Their contributions help make our community such an amazing place to live and be part of. |
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May 15 I joined my fellow members of the Asian Caucus for an AAPI Small Business Tour in Quincy, including visits in Speaker Mariano’s district and Rep. Tackey Chan's district.
We had the opportunity to visit local businesses including H Mart, China Pearl, Kam Man Food, and Pho Countryside. It was great hearing directly from owners and workers about both the opportunities and challenges they face while running small businesses today.
May is both Small Business Month and AAPI Heritage Month, it’s important that we continue to shop local, support our small businesses, and uplift one another in our communities year round! |
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May 18 I stopped by Lowell Public School's Civic's Day where many great topics were explored by our amazing students, including topics like: ICE and immigration, student mental health, the high cost of women’s and children’s healthcare, financial literacy in schools, and many other important issues.
It was so awesome to see the amazing work from the future leaders of our community. |
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Honoring Those Who Have Served, Past and Present |
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May 20 It was an honor to attend and recognize our hometown heroes at the Lowell Hometown Heroes event. Thank you to all of our veterans for your service and dedication to protecting our community, our country, and our great democracy
Photo credit: City of Lowell. |
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May 21 I had the honor of nominating James Gaffney III to be recognized at the second annual Military Appreciation Day at the State House.
His legacy, service, and commitment to our country and community are truly inspiring. It was a privilege to stand beside him and honor him today at the State House. |
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Thank you, Mr. Gaffney, for your service — not only as a veteran who helped protect our democracy, but also as a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. |
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May 22 The City of Lowell honored Memorial Day and remembered all the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We thank them for their service, dedication, and commitment to protecting our community and our nation.Thank you to the Lowell Veterans Services Department for hosting a meaningful event this morning to honor and remember our fallen heroes. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. |
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May 26 It was great to join Healthy Youth & Parents Through Partnership & Empowerment (HYPPE) with the Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Lowell High School, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Girls Inc., Butler Middle School, Sullivan Middle School, and Project LEARN Inc. for their “Spill the Tea” session.
I appreciated the opportunity to speak with the students, share my story so far as a State Representative, and talk about how young people like them can be a powerful force for change in our community. |
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Many folks, including people in the district I serve, rely on micromobility devices to get to work, to school, and to make trips to local businesses. I have heard from members in our community who understand the need for micromobility devices, but support stronger safety standards and clearer expectations to protect everyone.
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Congratulations 2026 Graduates! |
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Congratulations to the UMass Lowell Class of 2026 and to the Middlesex Community College Class of 2026! |
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Check Out my Video Updates from the State House! |
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Rourke Bridge Replacement
Project: Construction Update!
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Things to Know, Things to Do |
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Join Senator Vanna Howard for her 5th Annual Diaper Drive to benefit The Wish Project.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
9:30am-11:00am
Cawley Stadium, 424 Douglas Rd, Lowell
This collection drive will help relieve some stress on parents. Thank you for your continued support. |
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Join us for the third annual community gathering to honor victims and survivors as we work to end gun violence in the Lowell community.
Friday, June 5th 10:30 am
Lowell City Hall
375 Merrimack Street, Lowell |
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The Acre Festival & Resource Fair is coming up on June 6 at North Common Park (415 Fletcher St, Lowell).
Join CBA for an afternoon of food, music, games, community resources, and fun for the whole family. With 50+ organizations and activities for all ages, there’s something for everyone.
The event runs from 11 am - 2 pm.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and come celebrate community with us! |
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Let’s keep our park clean and safe!
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Roberto Clemente Park
803 Middlesex Street, Lowell, MA |
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12:00 pm - 12:30 pm at Lowell City Hall.
The Pride celebration doesn't stop there... |
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Continue the celebration at DCR Lowell Heritage State Park for an afternoon of fun for all!
From 1-4PM on Saturday, June 13, enjoy community connection, browse artisan vendors, meet local organizations, and enjoy treats from food trucks.
Location: Lowell Heritage State Park:
160 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA
Parking will be available at Regatta Field: 381 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA. |
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Summer will be here before we know it! Don't miss out on IDEA Camp at UMass Lowell, a opportunity for kids in grades 5-12 to dive into a variety of STEM activities including forensics, coding, engineering, medicine, and more! The camp is $150 per week and there are scholarships available.
Questions? Email Patti Adams at Patricia_Adams@uml.edu.
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Weekly Yard Waste Collection Is Back!
The weekly yard waste collection has returned. The frequency schedule will run as follows:
Weekly Pickup until May 22
June 1 - October 2 (Bi-Weekly Pickup)
October 5 - December 18 (Weekly Pickup)
Click Here to learn more about hard waste collection on the City's Facebook page. |
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HEAP funding is officially here to help families stay warm this winter.
Need heating system repairs or a replacement? HEAP also supports HEARTWAP, which provides free repair or replacement for qualifying households.
Apply online: toapply.org/MassHEAP
Learn more about HEARTWAP: mass.gov/HEARTWAP
Scan the QR code in the graphic to get started. Please share so neighbors who need support can apply! If you have any other questions, reach out anytime! |
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The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) provides free, 24/7, no insurance required, confidential support by call, text, or chat in 200+ languages for residents experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. BHHL provides warm hand-offs and follow-ups, identifying appropriate services to address a wide range of needs from crisis intervention to routine mental health support. The BHHL is staffed by trained mental health professionals with 24/7 clinical supervision. The BHHL connects patients to CBHCs, BHUCs, and other local providers, to reduce ED visits connecting people to specialized support faster.
How can Massachusetts residents’ access BHHL’s resources?
•Call or text 833-773-2445 (BHHL)
•Start a chat at masshelpline.com/chat
•Access online: masshelpline.com |
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DCR is looking for lifeguards for this summer!
Earn good money and work outside at a pool or waterfront all across the state!
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As we gear up to celebrate the City of Lowell’s Bicentennial in 2026, we’re inviting you to share your memories with us! Whether it’s a family story, a moment from growing up in the city, your time working or serving in the community, or any Lowell connection that’s meaningful to you—we want to hear it!Select stories will be featured on the new Lowell Bicentennial website as part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
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The School Bus Lookup Tool is now updated and live. (Note: charter and private school students are not included in the bus lookup tool). Student bus passes will be mailed out.
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Great news for Lowell and our region!
The Fare Free Transit Pilot Program has been extended through June 30, 2026 on the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)! This means more accessibility, more savings, and more opportunities for our community to get where they need to go.Public transportation should be affordable and accessible for everyone—and this program is a big step forward.
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As always, we love to hear from you! Please reach out any time.
Email: tara.hong@mahouse.gov
Phone: 617-722-2080
Cell: 978-421-5079
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