_{By Kathy Register}

WESTFORD, MA – Continuing its efforts to strengthen mental-health supports for local children and adolescents, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) awarded a grant to the Westford Health Department to train parents and caregivers to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental-health and substance-abuse challenges in youth, ages 12 to 18.

Under the direction of Rae Dick, Director of Westford’s Health Department, the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings program also offered sessions in Lowell, Acton and Dracut. With the help of a GLCF grant (awarded in 2022), almost 250 child-serving adults – teachers, coaches, school nurses, first-responders and parents – were trained by December 2024, Dick explained.

“This kind of mental-health training for adults who work with adolescents is definitely needed,” said Dick. “We’re seeing younger and younger kids expressing suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression, as well as behaviors such as eating disorders or self-harm.

“With growing stressors like social media and online bullying, plus anxiety about high-stakes testing and school shootings, there are a lot of challenges that come with being a kid these days.”

Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy, agrees. “The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that approximately 50 percent of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14,” adding “with this grant, the Foundation supports the goal of

enabling more lay people in our communities to see the signs of mental-health distress in our young people and respond appropriately.”

When Westford started its YMHFA training project, explained Dick, they hired and certified a Community Health & Wellness Coordinator in Youth Mental Health First Aid. That community health worker then organized and taught the one-day, six-hour classes for teachers, coaches, parents, and others.

According to Dick, the internationally acclaimed, evidence-based YMHFA training curriculum teaches caregivers how to assess for a crisis or non-crisis situation by using the ALGEE Action Plan. “ALGEE is Approach; Listen nonjudgmentally; Give reassurance & information; Encourage appropriate professional help; Encourage appropriate self-help and other support strategies,” she said.

“The key is not judging, but listening and encouraging the young person to help themselves, or to get outside help.” And catching the signs of mental-health distress may not always happen at home, Dick added.

 “Maybe parents don’t recognize the signs in their teenager,” she said. “But a change in behavior could be spotted by a teacher or coach who sees that student every day and has been trained to spot it. This YMHFA training gives these child-serving adults the tools and confidence to intervene.”

Westford offers YMHFA training sessions several times a year,” said Dick. “Each class holds between five and 30 people. Once we received the GLCF grant, we were able to expand the program to Lowell, Acton and Dracut.” 

Dick said the four towns try to maximize enrollment for each training session they offer. For example, Dracut might schedule a YMHFA training class for its fire department personnel. Once they recruit and have an organized cohort of eight to 10 town employees, they can then open the class to employees in other towns, and/or to the public, to fill out attendance.

“When we put out notices of this training to the public, we see interest from lots of parents, as well as others, like youth-soccer volunteers, Boys & Girls Club staff, or other after-school care program employees. It’s like any other tool in your toolbox: You need to sharpen these skills.”

“We’ve seen hundreds of people take this Youth Mental Health First Aid training, and these folks have had a real impact in their communities,” added Dick. “It also helps to reduce the stigma of mental-health challenges.”

To learn more, contact the GLCF at 978-970-1600 or visit www.glcfoundation.org.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation – Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $65 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.

###

Lowell, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Lowell High School (LHS) Class of 1980 recently raised $2,350 for its GLCF Scholarship Fund at ‘Meat Bingo 2025.’ 

According to a recent New York Times article, ‘Meat Bingo’ events have gained popularity as a fundraising tool for nonprofits. The typical call out of ‘BINGO!’ to win cash has been replaced by ‘MEAT!’  to win choice cuts of meat, themed gift baskets, gift cards and lottery scratch tickets.

“We call ourselves the ‘Famous Class of 1980’ because we believe that is who we truly are. It’s wild how generous everyone is with donations and time,” said event committee member Laurel Sykes Millett, adding. “We want to pay it forward to help students with college expenses. All my kids went to Lowell High and received fantastic scholarships. I understand and appreciate this generosity and need.” 

Since 2018, Marian Funaro Silk ’80, along with Millett, has coordinated these events with classmates, raising over $12,000 for the Class of 1980 scholarship fund. The class will award a $1,750 scholarship at the LHS 2025 Honors Night in May.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.

###

Caption: LHS Class of 1980 event organizers Marian Funaro Silk, left, with Laurel Sykes Millett.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is proud to announce the upcoming LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch, which will take place on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at Cobblestones in Lowell. This annual event aims to raise vital funds for the GLCF’s endowed LGBTQ+ Fund, which supports nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Lowell.

The brunch will feature delicious food, lively music by DJ Mocha, and an opportunity to connect with others in the community to celebrate PRIDE and show support for the local LGBTQ+ population. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the LGBTQ+ Fund, ensuring that resources and services remain available for individuals in need.

The LGBTQ+ Fund, which was established in June 2023, is an endowed fund designed to provide annual financial support to nonprofit organizations in Greater Lowell. These organizations offer essential services and programs for the LGBTQ+ community, including legal assistance, healthcare, educational resources, advocacy, and other high-demand services.

“We are thrilled to host this brunch to not only raise funds but to also unite the Greater Lowell community in support of our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “The LGBTQ+ Fund is a crucial resource in ensuring that the services the community needs are available for years to come. We encourage everyone to join us for a meaningful and fun celebration.”

The first grants from the LGBTQ+ Fund will be distributed this year, marking a significant step forward in providing much-needed support to local LGBTQ+ organizations. The grant cycle opens on March 18.

To support this event or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please visit the GLCF webpage at https://glcfoundation.info/LGBTQ25.

For additional information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and grant opportunities, please visit www.glcfoundation.org or call 978-970-1600.

About the Greater Lowell Community Foundation: Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $70 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.

###

Caption: 2024 GLCF LGBTQ+ fund benefit brunch inside Cobblestones Restaurant in Lowell on June 15, 2024. Front row, from left: Fatima Al-Muntafik and Triana Wilson from History UnErased, UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, History UnErased founder Deb Fowler, GLCF Vice President Jennifer Aradhya, Susu Wong, Elisia Saab, Mark Saab, and Alana Saab. Back row, from left: Chris Marino and Danny Roberts from History UnErased, and GLCF President Jay Linnehan.