The past several years have been marked by uncertainty and a level of disconnect that no one was prepared for. Slowly, we have begun connecting again. Shaking hands, giving hugs, having face-to-face conversations, and seeing our kids off to school for the first ‘normal’ school year in quite some time. If we’ve learned one thing since 2020, it’s how important it is to feel like we are a part of something bigger. A part of a community.

Fortunately for Lowell’s 110,000+ residents, there are so many ways for us to embrace all that the City has to offer. Here are a few suggestions if you are looking for ways to become more connected to the Mill City.

Join your neighborhood group: Lowell is home to distinct neighborhoods – each with residents full of pride for the section they live in. Join your neighbors in both advocacy and action by becoming a part of your neighborhood group. Want to check out your neighborhood group but not sure how? Contact your District City Councilor.

Tune into weekly City Council meetings (and other public meetings): Stay up to speed on City business and learn about the things that directly impact you. For Municipal Programming, go to channel 99 if you have Comcast, stream meetings live at ltc.org or view them at your leisure on LTC’s (Lowell TeleMedia Center) YouTube channel.

Apply to fill a board or commission position: Offer your time and unique perspective for the betterment of the community. You can view openings here under Board & Commission opportunities.

Visit the Lowell National Historical Park: Lowell is a tourist destination drawing visitors from all over the country and world. Learn about Lowell’s rich history by paying a visit to the LNHP.

Help a local nonprofit: Lowell is home to over 100 nonprofits fulfilling various needs within the City from food insecurity and affordable housing to youth programming to mental health and substance abuse assistance. Many nonprofits have volunteer opportunities, board and committee openings and fundraisers. If you have a cause that’s important to you, Lowell likely has a nonprofit looking for someone with your passion and desire to assist them. Not sure where to start? Contact me and I can steer you in the right direction or check out the Nonprofit Alliance of Greater Lowell.

Attend an event: Lowell is home to festivals, galleries, events and more! Check out the City’s LikeLowell website and Mosaic Lowell Calendar and pick an event or two to get you started. You never know who you’ll meet and what you’ll discover! You’ll also love Mosaic Lowell’s interactive map featuring self guided tours, museums, restaurants, galleries and more.

Support Lowell businesses: When going out to eat, shopping or looking for a particular service, always support local businesses when possible. In many cases, you’ll end up talking to the owner or a long-term employee and witness firsthand the impact your dollar has when it is invested back into the community.

Experience a new culture or perspective: People from all over the world call Lowell home! The City’s incredible diversity can be experienced through cultural events, food, community groups, religious organizations and more! Check out LikeLowell and Mosaic Lowell and your appreciation for Lowell is sure to grow!

Now is the perfect time to get out and start developing a deeper connection with the City. What are some of the ways you stay connected to Lowell? Let me know, or better yet, post about it on social media and use hashtag #InsideLowell!

Photo credit: Marte Media (he’s amazing!)