“Supporting local businesses through compassionate community intervention.”
Last week, the Creative Collective team was able to sit down with the town of Lynn’s new addition, the CALM team, and discuss how they support our community and members.
What is the Lynn Calm Team?
The Lynn Calm Team (LCT) is an alternative to traditional police response, launched on June 3, 2022, as part of a public-private partnership between the City of Lynn and Elliot Community Human Services. Born from the vision of the Lynn Racial Justice Coalition in 2020, this innovative program focuses on prevention, de-escalation, and connecting people with resources rather than enforcement. The team operates with a simple but powerful principle: meet people with compassion and love through life’s challenges. This trauma-informed, culturally relevant approach acknowledges that many challenging situations stem from deeper issues like housing instability, food insecurity, mental health struggles, or language barriers.
When and How to Use the Service Operating Hours:
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday-Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Contact information: (781)-905-2256
For non urgent questions/comments, email calm@lynnMA.gov
Direct Benefits for Lynn Businesses
When you encounter challenging customer behavior or conflicts in your business, the Calm Team can provide professional mediation services. Rather than calling police for non-violent situations, you can reach out to trained specialists who excel at:
- De-escalating tense situations
- Mediating disputes between customers or with staff
- Providing culturally appropriate interventions
- Creating peaceful resolutions that preserve relationships
Direct Benefits For Lynn Businesses
Many businesses encounter customers struggling with homelessness, food insecurity, or mental health challenges. The Calm Team can:
- Connect individuals with appropriate resources and services
- Provide emergency assistance to unhoused community members
- Help navigate complex social services and cultural systems
- Offer language support for immigrants and refugees
The Calm Team doesn’t just respond to crises – they build relationships. From July to August 2024, they had 81 community interactions from just 32 calls, demonstrating their proactive approach. This community presence can:
- Strengthen neighborhood relationships around your business
- Address issues before they escalate
- Create a more welcoming environment for all customers
- Build trust between diverse community members
The team recognizes that small businesses have unique needs and challenges. They’re committed to:
- Providing presentations tailored for the business community
- Conducting targeted outreach to downtown businesses
- Understanding the specific safety and customer service concerns of local entrepreneurs
- Building partnerships that support economic development
Real Impact in Our Community
Since launching, the Lynn Calm Team has demonstrated measurable success:
- Connected individuals with essential resources like English classes, food assistance, and mental health support
- Mediated neighbor disputes that could affect business environments
- Provided emergency assistance to vulnerable community members
- Helped people access detox and sober homes when needed
- Supported cultural navigation for immigrants and refugees
Appropriate Situations for Calling the Calm Team:
- Non-violent customer conflicts
- Situations involving individuals experiencing homelessness
- Mental health crises that don’t require emergency medical intervention
- Cultural or language barriers affecting customer service
- Community disputes near your business
- Situations where you want to help someone connect with resources
An Investment in Community Well-being
Using the Calm Team isn’t just about solving immediate problems – it’s about investing in the long-term health and prosperity of our community. When businesses support compassionate intervention, we create a cycle of positive change that benefits everyone:
- Stronger community relationships lead to more loyal customers
- Reduced conflicts create a more pleasant business environment
- Connected individuals become more stable community members
- Cultural competency expands your customer base
- Proactive support prevents small issues from becoming major problems
Looking Forward
The Calm Team represents Lynn’s commitment to innovative, community-centered solutions. As Mayor Nicholson has emphasized, this program is a core part of the city’s Peace Pillar platform – and local businesses are essential partners in making it successful.
The team is actively seeking to expand their collaboration with the business community. They’re planning presentations specifically for the Lynn Small Business Association and are committed to understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by local entrepreneurs.
Take Action
Ready to learn more about how the Lynn Calm Team can support your business? Here’s how to get involved:
- Contact the team directly to discuss your specific business needs and how they can help
- Attend upcoming presentations tailored for the small business community
- Share information about the Calm Team with other business owners
- Consider the Calm Team as your first call for appropriate non-violent situations
For more information about the Lynn Calm Team, visit www.lynncalmteam.org or contact them directly during their operating hours.
