Embedded Community Artists Pilot Project Targets Youth Wellness

By Kathy Register

Embracing the idea that the arts can have a positive impact on the wellness of young teenagers, this fall the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) has launched a pilot project to establish four embedded-artist programs specifically designed to improve youth wellness through creative engagement.

Titled Arts Elevate: Embedded Community Artists for Youth Wellness in Greater Lowell, the pilot project embeds four artists in 12-week residencies at nonprofit organizations in Acton, Concord, Groton and Lowell, explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy.

The Arts Elevate initiative was developed for Greater Lowell with lead funding from the Barr Foundation through its Creative Commonwealth Initiative. GLCF seeks to raise funds to enable Arts Elevate to be scaled and shared with more nonprofits and artists in the future. Arts Elevate is a program with three core components: The Embedded Community Artists initiative; Arts Equity Grants pairing artists and nonprofit organizations; and a professional-development offering for artists.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control, 42 percent of teens experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness,” said Aradhya. “And 32 percent are estimated to have an anxiety disorder.”

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, GLCF has recognized that youth health and wellness is a high-need area,” she said. “Applications for our youth-wellness grants draw the highest number of applications, clearly demonstrating the need in our community. We believe that youth have innate creativity and desire for authentic self-expression, and that artistic engagement can provide unique pathways to emotional processing and growth,” added Aradhya. “We are hopeful that through Arts Elevate, peer connections can be made which are critical for healthy development.”

Rita Sahu, Arts Elevate Senior Program Manager, agrees. “A lot of our cognitive development as adults is impacted by what we experience during our teen years or earlier,” she said.

“There is a lot of research that shows that there are factors that can positively impact  development, arts being one of them,” explained Sahu, an MIT-trained engineer leading an academic wellbeing initiative at MIT. 

By design, each of the four nonprofits in the pilot program is unique and differs in its approach  about how the arts can impact and improve youth wellness, Sahu said. The individual artists also bring different skills and interests to the program, she added.

Artist Shoni Hallock-Martin makes handmade books and will work with youth on multi-disciplinary art projects at Danny’s Place in Acton. Visual storyteller Tom Flint will create collaborative, community-centered film projects with teens at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord.

Artist/educator Andrea Wilson will lead programs in mixed media at the Prescott Community Center in Groton. And literary/theater artist Anthony Febo will bring theater and spoken-word programs to middle schoolers at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell in Lowell.

“Ideally, we want to offer a range of arts exposure and opportunities, since young minds have different interests, and we want to provide a variety of modalities so they can pick and choose,” said Sahu.

The Arts Elevate program will operate as a cohort model, she explained. This means both artists and nonprofits will participate in a shared learning experience, engaging in peer support, cross-sector collaboration, and professional-development opportunities, while sharing expertise and collectively developing metrics and data sets throughout the program.

Helping to make that knowledge-flow happen is Arts Elevate Lead Trainer Kori Thomas, a creative place-maker also known as the muralist Quest Nine. She has extensive experience designing and facilitating arts programs that focus on youth health and wellness. 

After navigating a difficult childhood, Thomas discovered that creating art greatly improved her own mental health. “I only started painting because I experienced art therapy sessions in my mid-twenties. I never even took an art class before that,” she explained.

“Now, I try to encourage people to ask one big question – ‘How do you create?’ – because we’re all creating something every single day. Whether we get up in the morning and pick our outfits, or we cook a meal, we’re all artists in our own way.

“Being able to show everyone that they have an artist that lives within them, is very important. And I think that’s what speaks most to the kids.”

Thomas helped organize a six-hour Arts Elevate training session for the participating artists and nonprofits, using the Create, Connect and Catalyze framework developed by the national Creative Youth Development Partnership. “Create, Connect and Catalyze is very similar to

UDL: Universal Design for Learning, which promotes awareness that different students have different needs when it comes to learning,” said Thomas.

“It’s all about establishing a safe environment and creating an equal opportunity for growth.

Through this understanding, we are able to connect the community of students and allow them

to feel comfortable enough to express themselves, and to share that expression.”

Focusing on this inclusive, creative approach with middle-schoolers can have long-term positive effects, stressed Thomas. “If you can build self-esteem and confidence – at any age – those qualities are really going to stick with you. And if you can create these tools at a younger age, imagine how much more capable you can be in the world.”

Ultimately, Aradhya explained, GLCF plans to expand Arts Elevate and replicate similar artist-in-residency programs. “We’re in an artist-rich community,” she said. “There are lots of artists in the 21 cities and towns in the GLCF service area, and lots of nonprofits that could benefit from this incredible creative resource pool.

“Our goal with this Embedded Artists pilot program is to learn from it, build a toolkit and expand this work in Greater Lowell.”

For further information about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Arts Elevate program or to support this initiative, visit: https://www.glcfoundation.org/arts-elevate/.

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 $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.

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CAPTION: The Arts Elevate Training Team: Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy, Arts Elevate Lead Trainer Kori Thomas and Rita Sahu, Arts Elevate Senior Program Manager.

GLCF’s Thomas F. and Helena B. Murphy Scholarship Provides an Opportunity for Future Educator

Education was a driving force in the Thomas and Helena Murphy household.

Helena was a first-grade teacher before the children arrived and Tom, after returning from World War II, taught Math at night school to returning-home veterans. During the day, he was a Latin teacher at Lowell High School, eventually becoming Freshman Advisor and Submaster, over his 32-year tenure.

There was no question that all the Murphy kids – Tom ’64, Garry ’66, Kathy ’67, Gregory ’69 and Kevin ’70 (Keith Academy), would go to college as education was a building block of their family.

“Our parents instilled the importance of an education from an early age. Checking our homework was a daily ritual. I was tutored in Latin after bringing home a failing grade. Fortunately, it helped me significantly in my law practice to understand legal terms and phrases,” noted Kevin Murphy, J.D., former Lowell City Manager and Massachusetts State Representative, 18th Middlesex District.

Kathy Murphy Akashian, a former fifth-grade teacher at the Immaculate School in Lowell, followed in her father’s footsteps, a Housemaster at Lowell High. Kathy and Kevin concurred on how their parents would react to a scholarship in their names, “They would be so proud and happy. The scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a degree in education. Our parents would want that person to become an educator and come back to teach the children of Lowell.”

It’s rare for a scholarship donor to know the recipient. The review of randomly assigned applications by volunteer evaluators is a ‘blind’ procedure with no name or identifiers on the form.

However, this year, Jovani Ubri received the Thomas F. and Helena B. Murphy Scholarship at the Lowell High School’s on Honors Night.

“We’ve known Jovani since he was 7, as he was on my son Brian’s baseball team for years. This was serendipitous!” recounted Kathy, who has given out her parents’ scholarship for many years. “As a teacher, I witnessed firsthand the students’ need for scholarships and financial assistance. Our hope is that these kids go on to pay it forward in the world and do something good with their education.”

A retired LHS and Greater Lowell Vocational Tech teacher and longtime superintendent in the Triton, Wakefield, Swampscott and Hillsboro (N.H.) school systems, Garry Murphy felt his parents would give this advice to the recipients, “Remember to enjoy your time in college. There will be good days and bad days which is good preparation for a teaching career.”


The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about Lowell High School Scholarships, contact Jay Linnehan or 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 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $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.

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CAPTION: Thomas F. and Helena B. Murphy in 1975, their children established an LHS scholarship in their honor.

GLCF to Host Annual Celebrate Giving Event with Focus on Social Entrepreneurship

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual Celebrate Giving at UTEC in Lowell, Mass. The event will focus on Social Entrepreneurship: Solving Problems, Strengthening Communities and will feature a conversation with keynote speaker Rajia Abdelaziz, CEO & Co-founder of invisaWear, a company revolutionizing personal safety through smart jewelry and accessories.


Abdelaziz launched the company at age 21 and has since raised $3 million, scaled to over $20 million in sales, and secured partnerships with ADT and TELUS. She has been featured on the cover of Forbes 30 Under 30, recognized by TIME and Fast Company, and named one of Massachusetts’ most successful entrepreneurs by the Boston Globe. In 2023, she launched Smart Alert Holdings and acquired Flare Safety, expanding her mission to make safety accessible to all. A passionate advocate for women and minorities in tech, Abdelaziz also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through UMass Lowell’s Entrepreneurship Program.

“This year’s Celebrate Giving will highlight social entrepreneurship and explore how innovative solutions can solve problems while strengthening our communities,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “We believe that philanthropy is something everyone can and should engage in, as fundamentally, philanthropy is about civic engagement – there are so many ways to get involved.”

The event will also include awarding four 2025 GLCF honors: Business Philanthropy Partner Award, Steven Joncas Community Connector Award, Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement, and GLCF Newell Flather Legacy Fund Grant Award.

The 2025 honorees exemplify the spirit of community engagement and philanthropic leadership that strengthens the Greater Lowell region. This year’s award recipients are:

  • 2025 Business Philanthropy Partner Award: Votze Butler Associates Inc.
    The Business Philanthropy Partner Award recognizes a business that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the community through philanthropic partnerships and civic engagement.
  • 2025 Steven Joncas Community Connector Award: Brian Chapman
    Named in honor of Steven Joncas, this award celebrates an individual who has made significant contributions to connecting and strengthening community networks throughout the Greater Lowell area.
  • 2025 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement: Vannak Theng-Rush
    This prestigious lifetime achievement award honors an individual who has demonstrated sustained volunteer leadership and commitment to community service over many years.
  • 2025 GLCF Newell Flather Legacy Fund Grant Award: Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA)
    The Newell Flather Legacy Fund was established by the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation in 2022 at GLCF to support nonprofit projects focused on the arts, immigrant, and refugee communities, and/or advancing equity and inclusion in the city of Lowell.

“These awards celebrate the remarkable individuals and organizations that embody the philanthropic spirit of our community,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “Each recipient has made meaningful contributions that strengthen our region and improve the quality of life for residents across our 21 cities and towns.”

Celebrate Giving will begin with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the program at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and need to be reserved by October 15 at www.glcfoundation.org. Sponsorships are available.

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 $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.

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CAPTION: On Oct. 22, GLCF’s Celebrate Giving will feature a conversation with Rajia Abdelaziz, CEO & Co-founder of invisaWear

Heather Rielly Elected to Greater Lowell Community Foundation Board of Directors

Lowell, MA – At its Annual Board Meeting on June 10, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) unanimously elected Heather Riellyof Groton to its Board of Directors.

Rielly is the Vice President, Business Development Officer, Commercial Banking – New England, Wells Fargo. Heather Riellybrings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry, with a focus on relationship development, strategic growth, and cultivating high-value partnerships across a broad range of sectors., Rielly brings strategic insight and a deep commitment to community service to GLCF.

“Supporting nonprofits, giving back, and finding ways to help others has always been at the heart of who I am,” said Rielly. “I’m honored to join the Board of Directors at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and excited to continue supporting an organization whose mission, serving 21 communities across our region, so closely aligns with my own purpose and values.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Heather to the Board,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “Her professional expertise, collaborative spirit, and passion for social impact will be tremendous assets to the Foundation as we continue to address the evolving needs of Greater Lowell.”

A proud resident of Groton, Massachusetts, Heather lives with her husband and son. She is deeply committed to helping others and strengthening the community through collaboration and service.

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 $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.

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CAPTION: At GLCF’s Annual Meeting on June 10, Heather Riellywas unanimously elected to the board. From left, GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak, Heather Riellyand GLCF president and CEO Jay Linnehan.

NETSCOUT Awards $20K in Community Grants with Greater Lowell Community Foundation

LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), a philanthropic organization comprised of over 450 funds totaling more than $70 million, announced that Westford, Massachusetts based NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. (NASDAQ: NTCT), an innovative technology leader that protects the connected world from cyberattacks as well as performance and availability disruptions, awarded its Heart of Giving Community $20,000 grant program through GLCF to local nonprofit organizations.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell received the top award of $10,000. Serving hundreds of Lowell youth, the Boys & Girls Club offers programs focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development. The grant will support expanding their Youth Leader Program, a paid, part-time leadership and workforce readiness opportunity for teens ages 15–18.

“We greatly appreciate this generous support from NETSCOUT,” said Joe Hungler, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. “Our partnership with NETSCOUT and this award supporting our youth leader program allows us to continue to provide safe, supportive, and enriching experiences for local youth in Greater Lowell.”

Two runner-up grants of $5,000 each were awarded to Dwelling House of Hope and The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Dwelling House of Hope provides vital services including food distribution and support for low-income families, while the Coalition advocates for policies and resources to end homelessness across the Commonwealth.

This annual partnership strengthens the connection between NETSCOUT and Greater Lowell nonprofit organizations while involving employees in learning about community needs.

“Connecting philanthropic businesses and individuals to the needs of their communities is at the heart of GLCF’s work. We are proud to continue our partnership with NETSCOUT in the 11th year of the Heart of Giving Community Grant program,” said Jay Linnehan, president and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “We are grateful for NETSCOUT’s ongoing commitment to supporting local nonprofits.”

“This year’s Heart of Giving Community Grants program is a powerful reminder of how innovative, community-based solutions can drive meaningful impact,” said Beth Kirsch, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at NETSCOUT.  “By including employees into the grantmaking process, we not only fund important local initiatives; we also strengthen NETSCOUT’s connection to our local community through the people of NETSCOUT. We’re proud to support these outstanding organizations and looking forward to strengthening our partnerships through both funding and employee involvement.”


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 $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.

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Caption: The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell received a recent $10,000 grant funding from NETSCOUT’s Heart of Giving community program. From l-r: Netscout’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement Beth Kirsch, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell’s Hadassa Pelissier, Jenna Kapp and Marci DeCarli with GLCF’s VP Jennifer Aradhya at the Heart of Giving pitch presentation at NETSCOUT in Westford.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces more than $250K in grants to local nonprofits at Annual Meeting

Lowell, MA – On Tuesday, June 10, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its annual meeting at UMass Lowell’s Coburn Hall with nearly 200 community members. A record number of grant funding was awarded to 26 nonprofits serving Greater Lowell within funding focus areas: Children’s Services, Elder Services, and LGBTQ+ Services.

These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds, and independent committees review the proposals and select awardees. The GLCF Discretionary Grants is one of several competitive grant programs offered through the foundation each year. 

“With the largest discretionary grant distribution in our history, we’re affirming our commitment to addressing critical local needs,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “These investments are a direct result of generous donors and thoughtful stewardship, and they help ensure that vital services reach those who need them most.”

A highlight of the Annual Meeting was a keynote address by Kendra Bauer, a longtime educator at Lowell High School, who presented “The Power of Building Community.” Bauer, who has taught for 22 years, specializes in courses on race, gender, and identity in literature and leads the Early College and Dual Enrollment programs.

In her keynote, Bauer shared personal insights into how building community through trust, connection, and relationships has empowered students and driven meaningful change. She invited three Lowell High School students to share their own powerful experiences, which were a standout moment of the evening.

The foundation also presented Representative Vanna Howard with the 2025 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of her lifelong dedication to volunteering. This honor celebrates her unwavering spirit of selflessness and commitment to local causes that have enriched the Greater Lowell community.

2025 Discretionary Grant Awards

Children’s Services:

  • Aaron’s Presents: Deepening Mentorship for AP Youth in Lowell[NR4]  – $10,000
  • City of Lowell Recreation Office: FY 26 Swim Lessons – $10,000
  • Cocotree Kids: Cocotree Kids Underwear Distribution – $10,000
  • Dignity Matters, Inc.: Dignity for Greater Lowell Teens and Young Women – $10,000
  • Lowell Community Health Center: Children’s Vision Screener Project – $10,000
  • Lowell Youth Leadership Program Inc.: LYLP 2025 Summer Program – $10,000
  • Mission of Deeds, Inc.: Beds Program – $5,000
  • North Star Family Services, Inc.: Bonnie’s Place, family homeless shelter – $5,000
  • PAL of Massachusetts: Shop with a Cop – $10,000
  • Project Home Again: A Good Night’s Sleep, Bed Bundles for Kids – $10,000
  • Refuge Art School Inc.: Refuge Access Fund: $10,000
  • Sibling Connections: Expansion of Weekend Retreats – $10,000

Leclair Elder Services:

  • Lowell Association for the Blind: Easy Healthy Cooking for the Blind – $10,000
  • Merrimack Valley Food Bank: Mobile Pantry – $10,000
  • The Nature Connection: Nature Connects: Outreach Programs & Memory Cafés for Elders – $10,000
  • Open Table: Support for Senior Hunger Relief Programs – $10,000
  • Project Citizenship: Citizenship Services for Immigrants Aged 55+ in Greater Lowell – $10,000
  • Ramps for Neighbors, a program of the Parish of All Saints, dba as All Saints Episcopal Church: Ramps for Neighbors – $10,000

LGBTQ+ Services:

  • BAGLY Inc[NR5]  dba Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition: Regional Expansion of MTPC’s Programs and Services to the Greater Lowell Area – $10,000
  • Danny’s Place Youth Services: Mosaic, Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth Through Expression and Belonging – $10,000
  • Greater Boston PFLAG: Affirming Families, LGBTQ+ Support & Education Expansion – $10,000
  • Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA): The Pride Playbook, Prioritizing Mental Health in Every Step – $10,000
  • History UnErased, Inc.: “The Past Is Always Present” – $10,000
  • MA LGBT Business Network: Building a Welcoming and Inclusive Workplace for LGBTQ+ Communities: An Educational Series – $10,000
  • Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Inc. (MRT): Amplifying LGBTQ+ Theatre Artists and Stories: KWEEN by Vichet Chum – $10,000
  • Pathway To Better Health: Expand Chroma Sessions – $10,000

2025 Discretionary Grant Total: $250,000

“These grants demonstrate how strategic philanthropy, driven by community input, can tackle pressing challenges,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy. “We are honored to fund organizations that are creating inclusive, supportive, and lasting impact across Greater Lowell.”

Applications are currently being accepted through June 16 via the Women Working Wonders Fund for programs/projects that impact the lives of women and girls while advancing an organization’s mission. For more information, 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 $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.

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CAPTION for Photo 1: Grant recipients gathered at GLCF’s Annual Meeting on June 10. Funding of $250,000 in competitive grants were awarded to 26 local nonprofits.

CAPTION for Photo 2: GLCF presented Representative Vanna Howard with the 2025 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of her lifelong dedication to volunteering. This honor celebrates her unwavering spirit of selflessness and commitment to local causes that have enriched the Greater Lowell community.

CAPTION for Photo 3:  A highlight of the Annual Meeting was a keynote address by Kendra Bauer, a longtime educator at Lowell High School, who presented “The Power of Building Community.” Bauer invited three Lowell High School students to share their own powerful experiences, which were a standout moment of the evening. From left, GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak, LHS students Jolette Buhendwa, Rachel Ngene and Abygail Karame, LHS teacher Kendra Bauer with GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Awards $80,000 in LGBTQ+ Grants at Annual Brunch

Lowell, MA – On Saturday, June 7, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) hosted its annual LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch at Cobblestones in Lowell, celebrating the second year of the foundation’s LGBTQ+ Fund and awarding $80,000 in new grants to eight local nonprofits. The event brought together 150 supporters and was presented by the Saab Family Foundation and GLCF.

The brunch featured music, meaningful conversations, and a joyful atmosphere that celebrated Pride Month and reaffirmed GLCF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“GLCF’s LGBTQ+ Fund is building a future where all members of our community can live with dignity and opportunity,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “We are proud to support these organizations doing vital work in Greater Lowell.”

Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs, and Strategy, added, “The generosity of our community has allowed us to launch and grow this fund, and we’re excited to see these dollars going directly to nonprofits that are creating safe, affirming, and empowering spaces for LGBTQ+ people.”

Eight organizations received $10,000 grants each:

  • BAGLY Inc dba Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition: Regional Expansion of MTPC’s Programs and Services to the Greater Lowell Area
  • Danny’s Place Youth Services: Mosaic, Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth Through Expression and Belonging
  • Greater Boston PFLAG: Affirming Families, LGBTQ+ Support & Education Expansion
  • Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA): The Pride Playbook, Prioritizing Mental Health in Every Step
  • History UnErased, Inc.: The Past Is Always Present
  • MA LGBT Business Network: Building a Welcoming and Inclusive Workplace for LGBTQ+ Communities: An Educational Series
  • Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Inc. (MRT): Amplifying LGBTQ+ Theatre Artists and Stories: KWEEN by Vichet Chum
  • Pathway To Better Health: Expand Chroma Sessions

GLCF established the endowed LGBTQ+ Fund in 2023 with cofounders Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, Susu Wong, owner of Tomo360 to support nonprofit organizations that serve and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community across Greater Lowell. Recognizing the importance of sustained support during the fund’s early years, GLCF’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to supplement annual grantmaking in 2025 and 2026 as the endowment grows.

For more information about the LGBTQ Fund or to donate, please visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3Bd8Dzn

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 $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.

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CAPTION: Grant recipients gathered at GLCF’s LGBTQ Brunch on June 7. From left, GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy Jennifer Aradhya, MRT’s Courtney Sale, MA LGBT Business Network’s Alex Eberhardt, History Unerased’s Debra Fowler, GLHA’s Ella Harris, PFLAG’s Jenessa Kornacki, Pathway To Better Health’s Jessica Wisocky and GLCF’s VP of Philanthropy Howard Amidon.

A notice to all Members of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation

You are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Coburn Hall, UMass Lowell, 850 Broadway St, Lowell, MA 01854.

The Governance and Personnel Committee nominates the following individuals to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors:

  • Heather Rielly

    The Governance and Personnel Committee also nominates the following individuals for a one-year term extension on the Board of Directors:

    • Andrea Batchelder
    • Susanne Beaton
    • Dorothy Chen-Courtin
    • Yun-Ju Choi
    • Charles Comtois
    • Stephanie Cronin
    • Karen Frederick
    • Eric Healy
    • Ben James
    • Michael King
    • Andrew Macey
    • Cherrice Lattimore
    • Patti Mason
    • Glenn Mello
    • Diana Nguyen
    • Shiela Och
    • JuanCarlos Rivera
    • Brian Stafford
    • Jay Stephens
    • Chet Szablak

    Teaching Adults to Recognize Mental-Health Challenges in Youth

    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.

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    Women Working Wonders Fund Seeks Request for Proposals for 2025 Grant Cycle

    Lowell, Mass. – The Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF), a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, requests proposals for this year’s grant cycle that opens on May 12. The Women Working Wonders Fund will award four (4) grants of up to $15,000 each to programs/projects that impact the lives of women and girls while advancing an organization’s mission.

    WWWF provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development for women and girls, and contributing to the beautification of the environment benefitting women and girls. Started in 2004 by a group of 72 women who each gave $500, the WWW Fund has now grown to more than $1.5 million. Since its inception, WWWF has distributed grants totaling over $500,000, creating positive change in countless lives in Greater Lowell.

    To apply for the Women Working Wonders Fund grant, visit www.glcfoundation.org. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 16, 2025, at noon. For more information on the Women Working Wonders Fund, visit womenworkingwondersfund.com.

    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 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.

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    Photo: GLCF25_WWWF_ironstone.jpg

    Caption: Ironstone Farm’s Challenge Unlimitedreceived a 2023 grant for their Equine Assisted Therapeutic Programs for Female First Responders.