LUK, Inc. Awarded Funding through Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts for CommUNITY
Fitchburg — LUK, Inc. has recently received funding from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts to provide programming for youth in Leominster over the school vacation week from April 21st-24th.
LUK’s Youth Development team will be running the CommUNITY Connections program for Riverside Village residents aged 11-16. During April school vacation, modules from evidence-based curricula and creative activities will be used to engage youth in activities to strengthen self-esteem, build community, and enforce violence prevention.
Program staff will use curricula from the One Circle Foundation supplemented with creative projects to provide a structured support group model that emphasizes respect, safety, and belonging while acknowledging historic challenges faced by youth and communities. One Circle Foundation focuses on skill-building activities and discussions that build on protective factors, and improve relationships in a format that interests and engages youth.
The immersive activities at LUK’s program will include projects such as artist trading cards, vision boards, a letter to youth’s future self, and learning how to paint. The program will conclude with an art showcase where friends and family can view and celebrate the youth’s work.
“Running programming at Riverside is going to be wonderful; bringing the programming to the youth in the space they live makes it much more accessible, and possibly more welcoming as well,” says Youth Development Specialist, Sage Rumery. “We have plans to explore multiple important social topics while engaging in a diverse range of artistic endeavors. Very exciting.”
“Youth are going to be working on art projects we haven’t done with groups before,” adds Alexianna Bennett, Youth Development Specialist. “This is my first time partnering with Riverside for programming like this, so we are looking forward to being able to make a positive impact on youth there. It will be a fun week of learning for everyone.”
LUK is thankful for the Community Foundation’s support and looks forward to offering this programming to youth in the Leominster community.
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.
For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!
