Non-Profit Support

Boys & Girls Club “Believe and Become “Program  

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell advances the vision of "Believe and Become" by empowering youth, ages 8 to 18, to realize their full potential through high-impact academic success, skills-building, and Pathways programs. These programs prepares teens for career and college success. Because staff know club members for most of their school careers, the staff develop long-term positive relationships. Staff set the bar high, often believing in young people before they believe in themselves. 

Enrichment activities aren’t equitable for all youth, even within public schools. This was further exacerbated by the pandemic. These Federal funds will be allocated to the SUB-RECIPIENT for the purpose of supporting an equitable recovery by addressing not only the immediate harms of the pandemic, but its exacerbation of longstanding public health, economic and educational disparities. 80% of the Boys & Girls Club’s members reside in low or very low-income households, and 87% are youth of color. Many live with economic and racial discrimination. A total of 33% of these young people have a single caregiver, including grandparents. Some members have experienced abuse or neglect, substance abuse and/or mental illness in their homes or have witnessed domestic or neighborhood violence. Without other, positive experiences with caring adults, trauma from these events puts children and teens at risk for chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance abuse in adulthood. 

Lotus House Supportive Housing Program for Women  

The percentage of single women experiencing homelessness has been steadily increasing, many of whom are over age 55 and are experiencing financial insecurity for the first time in their lives. Although many were gainfully employed, some of these women were financially dependent on a spouse or partner who has passed away, and can no longer afford housing without a dual income. Women are also disproportionately tasked with staying at home to care for children and family members instead of joining the workforce, negatively impacting their ability to accumulate financial resources later in life. With the constantly rising cost of housing in Massachusetts, women within this demographic are struggling to secure stable housing on their own. The Lotus House will have resident support staffing, community space for educational activities such as workforce development and financial literacy, individual wellness checkups with local health professionals, support groups, and one on one case management. 

Summer St. Permanent Supported Housing Project

The housing solution being presented is for Permanent Supportive Housing, which will include addressing broader needs including access to food, transportation, and healthcare. In addition, support and stabilization often includes access to employment, educational opportunity, financial literacy, assistance in benefit obtainment, among other supports. These units will house the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in Lowell, as determined by the Continuum of Care’s Coordinated Entry Vulnerability Index. Lowell, and the Greater Lowell Area at large, has a very low percentage of affordable rental housing units within the existing housing stock. Although rental housing stock is the increasing, demand for these units far outpaces capacity. Additionally, the housing stock in Greater Lowell, is aging and creating problems with poor-quality housing options. In general, there are fewer options for affordable yet high quality units for renters, and a limited number of pathways to homeownership for most households. This issue poses a considerable strain on household budgets and jeopardizes families’ housing security and ability to afford other necessary expenses. 

SMOC Bathroom Renovation – Lowell Transitional Living Center South Middlesex Opportunity Council  

Funding through FRR Grant Program for Bathroom Renovation, SMOC South Middlesex Opportunity Council provides safe, clean, operational bathroom facilities at one of the largest homeless shelters in the area, Fencing around the building and parking lot to improve safety for clients, staff, and the Lowell Community. 

South Middlesex Opportunity Council improve equity, wellness and quality of life for diverse individuals and families by providing advocacy, education, and a wide range of services; building a community of support and inclusion; and creating awareness to combat poverty through partnerships and coalitions with other organizations. 

Merrimack Shelter Resident Bathroom Renovation – House of Hope, Inc.  

Funding through FRR Grant Program for HOH Merrimack Shelter resident bathroom renovations an updates and safety improvement for 6 resident shelter bathroom, serving 18 homeless Lowell families daily. 

“The House of Hope is a remarkable development with a mission to combat family homelessness. Recognizing the multi-faceted approach required to get the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable back on their feet, House of Hope offers deeply affordable, income- restricted units alongside job training and stabilization services to help families thrive and achieve independence. 

Hurd Street Building Repair – The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc.  

Funding through FRR Grant Program for Hurd Street Building Repairs - Exterior repairs to Lowell building where survivors of sexual assaults, sex-trafficking, and their loved ones receive services. The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. CHH created a program service for survivors of sexual assaults in the Greater Lowell Area and the Merrimack Valley. 

Emma’s House Safe, Sober – The Megan House Foundation  

Funding through FRR Grant Program for Updates on sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and ADA accommodations for housing in Lowell for 9 residents in early recovery. 

Megan’s House is a therapeutic community for young women suffering from Substance Use Disorder. The residents participate in a long-term, comprehensive treatment program for up to six months (or longer if needed) to forge a personalized path to sustained, long-term recovery. 

Asbestos Abatement – Girl Incorporated of Greater Lowell 

Funding through FRR Grant Program for Asbestos Abatement, Labor, equipment, materials for abating asbestos materials for community space for young women in Lowell. 

Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Through creative programs in a safe and nurturing environment, we strive to teach the independence and personal responsibility girls need to succeed now and in their futures. 

MAPS Lowell Office Renovation HVAC Project – Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers 

Funding through FRR Grant Program for MAPS Lowell Office HVAC Rehabilitation, Renovation for failing HVAC system for Lowell office servicing Portuguese Speakers who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness.  

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese mission is to improve the lives of Portuguese speakers in Massachusetts and help them become contributing, active participants in American society while maintaining a strong ethnic identity and a sense of community, including many survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, as well as clients of the Immigrant and Elder Integration Services and other programs that prevent homelessness.

Day Center Floor Rehabilitations for Homeless – Eliot Presbyterian Church  

Funding through FRR Grant Program for Day Center Floor Rehabilitation, replaces 70 year old flooring and corrects humidity issues that led to damage. Onley Hall provides a safe space for homeless persons during the day in Lowell. 

A multicultural church and homeless day center in downtown Lowell, The Eliot Day Center is a hub where our unhoused neighbors can access spiritual care, person-centered support, and tangible resources for obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing. 

Financial Wellness Program for LMI Women in Lowell – Women's Money Matters  

A program to build the financial wellness, confidence, and economic security for women living in Lowell on low-incomes through a group-based program that combines financial health workshops, peer support, and personal, one-to-one coaching. 

Circle Keeper Initiative – Thrive Communities/CTI  

The Circle Keeper Initiative Launch, a joint direct service and capacity-building project which will aid Lowell community members in post-pandemic recovery through economic and reentry support. 

Fee Free Youth Sports Support – Lowell Junior High Athletics 

Lowell Junior High Athletics provides free sports programming to 150+ inner-city children on a yearly basis. With limited fundraising options available during the pandemic, ARPA funds will help LJHA stabilize their finances and continue to provide free sports activities to the children of Lowell in the future. 

Eliot Day Program – Eliot Church  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to provide treatment and counseling services provided to individuals experiencing homelessness due to mental health and or substance abuse disorder issues in the City of Lowell. 

Bi- Lingual Substance Addiction Recovery Coaching – The Bridge Club  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to bring addiction recovery services and counseling to non-English speaking residents in Lowell struggling with substance use and addiction. 

Mental Health Services for School Aged Children – Greater Lowell YMCA 

Funding through an ARPA grant program, the Greater Lowell Family YMCA has created a program for school aged childcare and summer camp programs, to provide support for the mental health wellbeing of this population. 

Lowell Youth Leadership Summer Camp 2023 – Lowell Youth Leadership Program  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to provide increased access to an established Summer Camp program for inner-city Lowell youth, between 10-16 years old. 

Stabilizing Lowell Families - Catie’s Closet  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to expand and improve the direct support of low-income youth in Lowell, MA whose families continue to face the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and require increased access to basic needs. 

Lowell Folk Festival Recycling Improvement Program – Lowell Festival Foundation 

Funding through an ARPA grant program for a pilot program to establish, as part of the Lowell Folk Festival, an event-wide recycling program to reduce litter and provide a cleaner more enjoyable experience for one of the largest and longest running folk festivals in the country. 

Lowell Equitable Arts Education Program – Refuge Lowell  

Funding awarded through an ARPA grant program to expand the opportunities for arts education to school-age children within the City of Lowell. 

Operation Nourish – Merrimack Valley Food Bank Inc. 

Funding through an ARPA grant program to expand the 'Operation Nourish' program to all public schools in Lowell, ages K-12, distributing food to students in need over weekends and on school holidays, when they aren't receiving school meals. 

Come To The Theatre Initiative – Merrimack Repertory Theatre 

Funding through an ARPA grant program to provide tickets to over 1,200 students and senior citizens with the opportunity to experience live performances at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. 

COVID Support Expenses – Life Connection Center  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to provide Services to the homeless community in the City of Lowell during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically after March 10, 2021. 

Free Outdoor Pops Concert – Lowell Festival Foundation  

Funding through an ARPA grant program to provide a free concert featuring a high-quality orchestra that may have been unavailable to residents locally due to cost, or not having been promoted to specifically for them. 

Lowell Diaper Bank – Lowell Alliance/ Lowell YMCA  

Funding award through an ARPA grant program which will provide diapers to families with infants and toddlers who are struggling to pay for basic household needs. 

Roaming Resource Van – YWCA  

A series of training programs to help encourage employee retention by focusing on improving the communication and cooperation between managers and staff across city departments. 

Project Home Base – Lowell Litter Krewe 

Project "Home Base" will provide funding for a long term storage facility for the equipment used by the Lowell Litter Krewe. 

SMOC LTLC Safety Fencing Project – Lowell Transitional Living Center South Middlesex Opportunity Council 

Funding through FRR Grant Program for SMOC Safety Fencing Project to improve safety and reduce litter at homeless shelter LTLC is one of the largest homeless shelters in the area, Fencing around the building and parking lot to improve safety for clients, staff, and the Lowell Community. 

South Middlesex Opportunity Council improve equity, wellness and quality of life for diverse individuals and families by providing advocacy, education, and a wide range of services; building a community of support and inclusion; and creating awareness to combat poverty through partnerships and coalitions with other organizations.