United Way announces $100,000 investment to provide Lowell-area youth with positive summer experiences

LOWELL – Today, Mayor Edward Caulfield joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley and Summer Experiences in Greater Lowell Co-Chairs Ginger Burke of Butler Bank and Amy Werner of The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank at Lowell City Hall to announce an investment of $100,000 into 16 local youth-serving agencies. The investment is part of Summer Experiences in Greater Lowell (SEGL), a United Way initiative that provides Lowell area youth with quality summer programming to help them develop leadership, social and academic skills while school is not in session.

“This is a great investment in the potential of our youth,” said Mayor Edward Caulfield “Learning shouldn’t stop when the school year ends. Through the Summer Experiences in Greater Lowell initiative, United Way and the SEGL committee will make this a summer to remember for so many local youth.”

“SEGL is an amazing initiative that creates opportunities for young people to attain social competencies and learn important life skills while enjoying a healthy summer,” said SEGL Co-Chair Ginger Burke of Butler Bank.

“I was pleased to be a part of the SEGL process for 2008. Our committee and the community at large really worked hard to insure that kids in the Greater Lowell area have a wonderful summer,” said SEGL Co-Chair Amy Werner of the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank. “The synergy and enthusiasm from our group to support the United Way made it a fun and worthwhile experience.”

Since its inception in 2000, SEGL has invested $770,000 to provide youth with enriching summer learning and recreational experiences when school is closed. Last year, the initiative provided approximately $96,000 to 15 agencies and more than 3,000 children participated in quality summer programs, developing leadership, social and academic skills that will empower them for life. This year, $100,000 will fuel quality summer programs in the following 16 organizations:

• The African Assistance Center of Greater Lowell (ACC): The AAC will offer a summer program in a safe environment that will educate youth on Africa, its culture, and how religion, culture and gender impact the society.
• Alternative House: Alternative House's summer camp serves children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence. The program emphasizes development of positive and social skills, teamwork, healthy recreation, and academic/ cultural enrichment.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lowell: The “Summer in Peace” program will focus on violence prevention and creating healthy alternatives to violence. Youth will experience leadership training and recreational opportunities.
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Billerica, Inc.: This summer camp program for middle school youth will give the children access to programs such as digital photography, music, internet safety, drug and alcohol education, diversity programs, nutrition, and career launch.
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Inc.: In the Greater Lowell summer program, the youth will participate in fitness, recreation, nutrition, life skills, and career exploration programs accompanied by free breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks throughout the day.
• Community Teamwork, Inc. (Spindle City): Spindle City Corps, also known as Lowell's Urban Peace Corps, was established in 1995 to provide the city's youth with an opportunity to give back to their community. The Spindle City Corps unites young people between 16 and 21 years of age for a demanding schedule of community service and leadership development.
• Girl Incorporated of Greater Lowell: The Summer Program provides girls with active, hands-on enrichment activities in a fun, safe, and structured environment where they make new friends and build confidence and skills while participating in programs that include swimming, science, technology, drama, cooking, crafts, sports, dance, and weekly field trips.
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts: PHAT/Double Dutch is a six week collaboration that will provide free interactive activities for children and youth. Free, healthy lunches will also be available at selected PHAT sites.
• Greater Lowell Family YMCA: This summer camp program will enable youth to participate in sports, arts and crafts, field trips, group games, swimming, character development education, and outside play.
• Light of Cambodian Children, Inc.: Through the summer program “Future Stars,” Light of Cambodian Children teaches the young people the value of teamwork and developing leadership skills. Through guest speakers, group activities and discussion, and sports, the program aims to prevent children from joining violent gangs and engaging in other highly destructive behavior.
• Merrimack Repertory Theatre: Through the summer program “Young Artists At Play,” local students are introduced to new concepts in critical thinking & analysis, while building self esteem and strengthening their communication skills.
• The Paul Center for Learning and Recreation, Inc.: Camp Paul is an overnight experience for young people with substantial disabilities to develop their skills in a recreational setting.
• The Revolving Museum (TRM): The 2008 Teen Arts Group Summer Program will employ up to 25 youth to create public art for the Lowell community by engaging in peer communication activities, community festivals, and hands-on art-making.
• The United Teen Equality Center, Inc. (UTEC): UTEC summer program includes a wide variety of programs, events, and trips to stimulate the mind, facilitate exercise in open spaces, and rejuvenate the spirit through community service and organizing.
• The University of Massachusetts, Lowell String Project: The Lowell String Project offers children from the Lowell Public School system summer string instrument instruction that will foster musical enjoyment and self expression.
• YWCA of Greater Lowell: City Camp offers structured educational, recreational, and cultural enrichment activities to the Greater Lowell youth.

SEGL’s community investments are made possible by the support of local community members, volunteers and corporate sponsors. Since 2000, Bristol-Myers Squibb and UPS have generously sponsored golf tournaments specifically to raise funds for SEGL. This year, Lantheus Medical Imaging, the former Bristol-Myers Squibb, hosted the fourteenth annual golf tournament and raised more than $30,000 for Lowell area youth through SEGL. SEGL was also made possible by the dedication and hard work of its committee members including: Lauren Hannaford, Catherine Gallardo, Deb Belanger, Gayle Casper, Patricia McCarthy, Catherine Flood, Jen McKay, Kelly Orlando, Linda Morrill, Patricia Koczera, Michelle Davis, Jane Comeau, Joyce Leger, and Jay Connors.