LAWRENCE — Jodi Linnehan Kriner was named the eighth President of Central Catholic High School, effective Nov. 1.
Kriner is the first woman in CCHS history to serve as president.
She is the current Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and has served Central Catholic for nearly 30 years in varied roles, including teacher, coach, department chair, assistant principal, and technology director.
She has deep roots in Lawrence and Central Catholic — all of her children are Raiders and were each baptized on campus in the Carney Family Chapel, which is named in memory of her mother and uncles.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next President of Central Catholic High School,” said Kriner. “Central is more than a school; it is a community I know well and care about deeply. Thank you for your trust and support. I am excited to begin this next chapter together, always keeping our students and our faith at the center of our mission.”
Lynne Ann Chase, Chair of the CCHS Board of Directors said, “We are excited to welcome Jodi as Central Catholic’s next president and are confident in her vision, leadership, and commitment to advancing our mission, and strategic priorities. Her wealth of experience and dedication to excellence make her an exceptional choice to guide us into the future.”
According to current President of CCHS Christopher F. Sullivan, “In all the years I have served as the President of Central Catholic, Jodi Linnehan Kriner has been one of my most trusted confidantes. Her vision and foresight have been instrumental to where we are and continue to go as a school. I am ecstatic to welcome her as our next president, and I cannot wait to see where she takes our alma mater!”
Kriner lives in Hampton Falls, N.H., with her husband Michael Kriner and their four children.
Atkinson nonprofit gets $10M contract
CONCORD, N.H. — The Executive Council has approved an amendment to the existing contract with Community Crossroads in Atkinson, adding $10 million in room and board adjustment for Medicaid-enrolled Developmental Services Staffed Residence Providers throughout New Hampshire.
Community Crossroads will serve as the administrator of the fund for New Hampshire’s Area Agencies.
This critical funding, not covered by Medicaid, will ensure that providers have access to room and board resources and can continue serving New Hampshire residents with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders.
“I have advocated for this funding over the past seven months — working closely with DHHS — and was elated to get this across the finish line,” said Councilor Janet Stevens.
Without this funding, the Department of Health and Human Services had warned that some providers might be forced to close, which would result in vulnerable individuals losing their homes or requiring more costly, out-of-state residential placements.
According to DHHS, the program is expected to serve approximately 600 individuals annually in 2026 and 2027.
“Housing and access to care for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents is a top priority and near and dear to my heart,” Councilor Stevens said. “With the rental housing vacancy in my district at 0.5% (healthy range is 5-6%) and the average cost of a home in Portsmouth between $750,000-$900,000, I am going to fight to ensure developmentally disabled residents have access to housing and services they are entitled to.”
Award goes to UMass Lowell
LOWELL — For the sixth time, UMass Lowell has received a High Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) award from Insight into Academia magazine.
The award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities for their welcoming campuses, support of student success, and community between employees and students.
The magazine also named UMass Lowell a HEED award winner in 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
“Creating a campus where everyone knows they belong and can do their best work is a cornerstone of our mission as a university. We are proud that Insight into Academia continues to recognize UMass Lowell for creating a culture of engagement as well as our emphasis on supporting students. These accolades inspire us to continue deepening our connections not just among students, faculty and staff on campus, but throughout the greater Lowell community,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen.
Breakfast forum for Hispanics
NORTH ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce held “The Hispanic Business Opportunity” on the morning of Monday, Sept. 15, at Burtons Grill, 145 Turnpike St.
Business owners attended the breakfast and learned how to develop in the Hispanic Market, building community relationships and advertising stategies, and welcome other Latinos as consumers and employees.
The event was led by Hispanic Market Solution’s Eduardo Crespo, who took part in a Q&A session with attendees.
Lawrence’s Mayor Brian DePeña was also in attendance and supported the discussion.
Synagogue opens education center
DERRY — Thanks to the generous support of the Sandler and Schloss families, Etz Hayim Synagogue has established The Harry Sandler Educational Center and The L Lou Schloss Memorial Education Fund to bring all of our educational programs under one umbrella of learning, to foster the Jewish education of our children, “v’shinantam L’vanecha” (“and you shall teach your children”) and expand access to learning by removing financial barriers.
The Education Center will be overseen by Mike Schloss as Education Director, Irina as Religious School Director, and Steve Soreff as our Adult Education Director. The programs are tailored for every member of the family and for every level of knowledge and are free to our members.
The Center has been beautifully renovated and upgraded thanks to an anonymous donor. We are also grateful to our new President, Milt Zweig, who created a mission to learn, to grow, and to connect, and for the artistic vision of Kristina Zweig, reorganization efforts by Irina and our teachers Arielle, Sarah and Sandra, and the handy work of Milt, Jay Madnick, Aaron Madnick and Alex R.
To learn more, visit etzhayim.org
YWCA names new executive director
YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts announced the promotion of Maricelis Ortiz to chief executive officer.
The YWCA Board of Directors recently selected Maricelis, who has served as the organization’s chief operating officer for two years and is the ideal leader to guide the YWCA into its next chapter.
The announcement follows the retirement of long-time CEO Susan Staples, who served the organization for more than 21 years.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role and lead an organization I believe in wholeheartedly. As a woman, I am empowered by the opportunity to support other women and families through the work we do at the YWCA. I am particularly proud to be the first Latina to lead the YWCA in its 133-year history. The mission of the YWCA has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I am excited to help shape the future of our community programs and continue our work to create lasting change,” Maricelis said.
The YWCA Northeaster Massachusetts serves more than 25 community programs across the region, helping thousands of women, children, and families and eliminating racism through advocacy, support, and outreach.
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