Originally published November 18, 2022 as part of a series by Special Contributor and local Philanthropist Ellen Andre focusing on local non-profits
This month we will be highlighting a somewhat “new” organization to the Lowell community. It is the Lowell Youth Leadership Program (referred to as “LYLP”). They have been in operation only about one year but are building a strong fan base and are receiving recognition from local philanthropists, businesses and individuals.
LYLP’s goal is to serve Lowell youth ages 10-16 at no cost to the participants. The program will include vital life skills (diversity training, violence prevention, drug and alcohol education, and communication skills) with a variety of sports opportunities and instruction. This will focus on a mind-body connection between mental health and physical health. Additionally they provide healthy meals to the participants.
One exciting detail about this new program is that former campers from a similar program called NYSP are now adults into their 30’s, who had a vision to create a similar experience to theirs. They are now leaders in the community and hope to create a future generation of leaders. In one year they were able to form, incorporate, plan and then conduct a two week summer camp that served over 100 youth.
The program was greatly received by not only the campers but the parents, instructors, coaches and community non-profits as well. LYLP was able to partner with many of the area non-profits like MVFB (Merrimack Valley Food Bank), Youthbuild Culinary, Project Learn, UTEC and Center for Hope and Healing. The program was held at the Greater Lowell Technical High School.
The board who volunteered their time served meals, rode buses with campers, monitored pool and locker rooms, provided instructions and served as role models. LYLP also had community leaders come and speak about leadership.
For the future they’d like to expand to 150+ campers, as they had a waitlist of over 50 last year. They hope to go from 2 weeks to 3 weeks as well.
LYLP has gotten tremendous support from the community and are hoping that partnership will grow as people learn more. Securing funding is their biggest challenge and they’d like more individuals and businesses to get involved.
Please contact info@lylp.org to learn more or get questions answered. Check out their website: www.lylp.org and social media: Facebook and Instagram.
Make a donation today on their website or Facebook page! Checks can be sent to: LYLP ℅ 2 Belmont St Lowell, MA 01851
