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Welcome to the September 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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State Senator Vanna Howard and State Rep.Tara Hong welcome Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Kiame Mahaniah to International Institute of New England in Lowell.
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Fall is officially here! The leaves are beginning to change, the weather is getting cooler, and another season is upon us. One thing that has not changed is my commitment to doing the work I promised to do for the people of the 18th Middlesex District.
I am incredibly grateful and honored for the trust and support you have given me, and for the opportunity to continue serving our community every single day.
We all know that politics in our city, our Commonwealth, and across the country has become more divisive. But here in Lowell, I believe we can continue to show that there is a better way forward by working together, building relationships, and focusing on solutions instead of negativity and division.
On September 1st, voters made their voices heard in the primary election. As we move toward the general election, I look forward to continuing to work alongside the incoming Lowell House delegation, the State Senator, and our partners at every level of government to deliver real results, bring resources and funding back home, and ensure Lowell has a strong voice at the State House.
We must continue coming together and advocating for the issues that matter to our community—from housing affordability and education to addressing substance misuse, homelessness, economic opportunity, and so much more.
As your State Representative, I will continue to listen, be honest with you, and work with anyone who is willing to help move our community forward. We may not always agree on everything, but I believe we can always find ways to work together for the betterment of our city and the people we serve.
I am excited and honored to get back to work and continue representing you here at home and at the State House every single day.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Let’s keep working together and keep moving the 18th Middlesex District and the City of Lowell forward!
Tara Hong
State Representative
18th Middlesex District |
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Sept. 2. - I am incredibly honored to be re-elected for a second term as your State Representative, and I am looking forward to continuing the work we’ve started. Thank you! |
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Sept. 10 - I was honored to stand alongside my colleagues, Chancellor Chen, community leaders, and the families of those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001, as we came together to remember and pay our respects.
Here in Lowell, we especially remember those with connections to UMass Lowell whose lives were lost on 9/11, as well as those who later lost their lives due to illnesses connected to the recovery efforts at the World Trade Center. Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember their lives, their families, and their legacies.May we never forget. |
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Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember their lives, their families, and their legacies.
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Sept. 12 - I was glad to stop by CMAA’s Community Health Fair, where so many important resources were available, from financial literacy and ways to get involved in our community, to health information and connecting people with healthcare professionals and services.
I also had a wonderful time at the Multicultural Festival at City Hall! It was great to see so many families, and community members come together to celebrate what makes our city so special.A beautiful day to celebrate our diversity in our community! |
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Sept. 15 - it was a beautiful morning at the Naturalization Ceremony at Boarding House Park in Lowell! Thank you to Lowell National Historical Park and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for bringing everyone together for such a meaningful celebration.
It was an honor to welcome our newest American citizens. Lowell has always been shaped by generations of immigrants who came here seeking opportunity and a better future. This is what America is all about, welcoming new citizens, celebrating their journeys, and recognizing that our democracy is strongest when everyone has the opportunity to participate. Congratulations to our newest U.S. citizens! |
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Erin is full of energy, passion, and great ideas. She will be working alongside our community to support local businesses, strengthen Cambodia Town, and help create more opportunities for our neighborhood to grow and succeed. I’m so happy to have Erin working with our community. |
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Sept. 19 - I stopped by the 2026 Pailin Volleyball Tournament at Roberto Clemente Park! This is always such a great event every year. Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, and teams for continuing to bring our community together through sports, culture, and friendship.
It was also another great year for the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race! There were so many creative teams and incredible designs. I’m excited for all the race through the streets and into the water! |
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This investment will support a new battery energy storage system at Lowell’s wastewater treatment plant, helping strengthen our critical infrastructure, improve energy resilience, and help keep essential services operating during power outages.A big thank you to DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony for coming to Lowell yesterday to visit the site and meet with the incredible team working every day to keep our city running. |
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Sept. 24 - I had the honor of recognizing Chris this morning at the State House as a 2026 Latino Excellence on the Hill honoree! If you know Chris, you know he loves being everywhere in our community! His energy, positivity, and commitment to staying engaged mean so much to so many of us. He is always showing up, supporting others, and reminding us how important community involvement is.
Chris is well deserving of this recognition, and I was proud to celebrate him today at the State House.Congratulations, Chris, on this well-deserved honor! Thank you for everything you do to help bring our community together and make it stronger every day. |
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Sept. 25 - It was truly meaningful to stand alongside families, friends, and members of our community for the dedication of the Garden of Peace at Fort Hill Park. Behind every name and every life we remember is a family, a friend, and a community that continues to carry their memory with them every day. This garden is more than a place, it is a space to remember the people we love, reflect on the lives they touched, and find comfort and healing together. Thank you to the City of Lowell, the organizers, and especially the families who helped make this beautiful Garden of Peace a reality. |
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Video Highlights from the State House and Beyond! |
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I am proud to share this video recapping the work we've accomplished together during the 194th Session at the State House. From working on constituent cases to securing funds for our community organizations and our district, it has been an honor to serve as your State Representative. I look forward to continuing this work together.
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Things to Know, Things to Do |
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Location: 122 Western Avenue, Lowell
Time: 12pm - 5pm |
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The meeting will include an evening of food, music, raffles, and community celebration.
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Lowell Senior Center
276 Broadway Street, Lowell |
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Walk-ins welcome until 1:30 PM
Medical services will be provided by experienced doctors and specialists. Basic screenings and check-ups include: Blood Pressure / BMI; Blood Sugar / A1C / Cholesterol; Internal Medicine (Primary Care); Dental Check-up; Vision Check-up; Ultrasound and more.
No insurance required No cost. Completely free services. |
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Kickstart your holiday shopping and support the Greater Lowell Technical High School Parent Organization on Saturday, October 24th at the Holiday Fair.
There will be a variety of vendors with crafts, jewelry, home goods, candles and more.
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Greater Lowell Technical High School
Pawtucket Boulevard, Tyngsborough. |
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It’s back - the 2026 DCR Park Passport Challenge is here! From June 20 through November 1, the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation invites adventurers of all ages to discover the beauty and history of Massachusetts state parks, forests, and watersheds. Explore the outdoors, learn about the environment, connect with the Commonwealth’s nature and history—all while collecting stamps to earn a prize!
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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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Great news for Lowell and our region!
The Fare Free Transit Pilot Program has been extended through July 1, 2027 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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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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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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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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