Common Ground has grown, and now supports family and senior housing in Methuen, Lowell, Acton, and Westford. Bill transitioned to oversee the Agency’s subsidiary, to assist Common Ground in implementing its vision of building and managing a portfolio of affordable housing. Bill was quickly promoted to Deputy Director of the Agency and served in that position for many years. Initially, Bill was assigned to the Town of Dracut to assist the Town in identifying and applying for grants. and Mechanics Hall Corporation, and serves as a Special Assistant to the Executive Director working with the Community Teamwork Board on Board Development and Governance.īill’s career at Community Teamwork started in 1971 when he was hired as a Community Planner. He oversees several other Community Teamwork subsidiaries, including Merrimack Valley Housing Services, Inc. He currently serves as the Director of Real Estate Operations for Common Ground Development Corporation, a Community Teamwork subsidiary that develops affordable housing for low-income families in northeast Massachusetts. for the opportunities it offered to him in the field of early learning and care for children and families, and Community Teamwork is forever grateful to Jim for his contributions to the field of Early Learning and his additional contributions to Community Teamwork over the past few years.Ĭommunity Teamwork is celebrating Bill Lipchitz’s retirement after a legendary 51-year career. Jim is forever grateful to Community Teamwork Inc. Jim presently serves on the following boards: New England Head Start (NEHSA), National Head Start (NHSA), and the Thom Child and Family Services. Hiring the First Executive Director of the MA Head Start AssociationĬhaired the New England Head Start Association Planned and designed the James A Houlares Early Learning Center in Lowell State Supplemental Funding for Head Start Programs When Jim retired in 2005, the Agency served more than 516 Head Start and Early Head Start children.ĭuring Jim’s 32 years at Community Teamwork, he was involved with many challenging and exciting initiatives including: At that time, CTI served 120 children in six classrooms. After earning his Masters, in 1973, he was hired as an Education Coordinator at the Head Start program at Community Teamwork. Jim’s first job with Head Start was as a teacher in Lewiston, Maine 1969 – 1971. His studies continued at the University of MA in Amherst where he earned his Masters. In1962, Jim arrived in Boston to attend the Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology to earn a Bachelors and an advanced degree. Elena and John have two children, James (9) and Conor (7). Nathaniel and Christina have two children, Catherine (2.5 years old) and Theodore (7 months). They have two children, Nathaniel and Elena, named after my father-in-law and mother. James and Pam have been married since 1974 and lived in Wellesley and now South Natick. James has an older and younger brother as well. James Houlares was born and raised in Auburn, Maine, He has a twin sister and also married a twin who has a twin sister as well. Both Pam and Jim are pleased that to continue to be a part of the CTI family and have contributed greatly to the Early Education programs at Community Teamwork. Jim displays that same enthusiasm and love of children to this day, and is adored by his children and grandchildren, alike. Pam’s husband, James, has devoted his entire career to early childhood education. Pam and Jim have four grandchildren, James, Conor, Catherine and Theodore, who live nearby, Aside from some babysitting, Pam and Jim feel very fortunate that they are very close and celebrate holidays and family events together. Pam continues to serve on the Board of Directors at the Hellenic Home.
In fact, Pam’s mother, Jennie, was one of the founders of the nursing home in 1973.
After retirement, Pam worked in two colleges as an Adjunct Professor instructing courses in administration and continues as a Spanish tutor in her home -town.ĭuring 2016 – 2020, Pam served as the President of the Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association, a non-profit that oversees the Hellenic Nursing Home in Canton, MA. In Pam’s 37 years in education, she began as a Spanish teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and ultimately, a Principal of Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington, MA. Her twin sister, Natalie, is a real estate broker with Sotheby’s in Boston. After graduation from UMass Amherst, Pam’s older sister became a nun in Greece and has lived there for about 50 years. Both sisters, including her twin, experienced a strong bond with their Greek culture and identity. She grew up in a large extended family with aunts, uncles and cousins in the Boston area. Pam Houlares is a native Bostonian born into a large Greek family.