LOWELL — Huddles, handoffs and passing plays on the grass of Cawley Memorial Stadium were a part of summer for about 75 Lowell boys and girls who participated in a three-day flag football camp organized by Lowell Police Youth Services.
In mid-August, teams huddled for strategy, called plays, and built skills and friendships with volunteer coaches and staff on the same field where the Lowell High School Red Raiders play. They wrapped up with a BBQ and ice cream sandwiches thanks to the generosity of All People Church of Lowell. There was also a citywide backpack giveaway thanks to the generosity of Wellpoint.
Students in middle and high school participated in the camp, with t-shirts, flags, water, snacks, and energetic playlists provided.
Lowell Police employees who staffed the program include Sgt. Mike Marshall, Capt. Mathew Penrose, School Resource Officers Niels Christiansen, Dominic Lessieur, Mindy Purcell, Knud-Henry “Kiki” Louis, Sareth Kum, and Tim Sullivan, Youth Services Officer Nichole Munera and Officer Jack Wagner.
In addition to the camp, Lowell boys and girls in grades 5-8 will also be able to participate in a Lowell Youth Flag Football Neighborhood Challenge League this fall. Teams will practice together twice weekly, and then play a tournament at the end of the month. For more information, click here or email: lpdyouthservices@lowellma.gov.
The camp is one of several initiatives organized by Lowell Police Youth Services. Youth Services programs utilize funding from the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research’s Shannon Community Safety Initiative, and seek to prevent youth crime by providing youth with healthy opportunities. Coinciding with the past decade of youth outreach programs involving Lowell Police and other community partners, annual juvenile arrests have declined in Lowell by approximately 70 percent.
“We have seen that providing healthy opportunities and building relationships helps our multi-pronged strategy to reduce juvenile crime and arrests, while also giving our officers opportunities to have positive interactions with our community,” said Superintendent Greg Hudon. “There are few things you can do as a professional that are as fun as engaging with boys and girls from Lowell at this camp and catching a pass. I want to thank our officers and command staff, our community partners, and everyone who once again made this possible.”
At the end of the camp, Lowell Police also partnered with Wellpoint to provide 300 brand new backpacks to Lowell families in the Cawley Memorial Stadium parking lot. A line formed at noon as families smiled at their kid’s selected backpacks and thanked officers and staff. The backpacks, which were donated by Wellpoint, were all distributed within 35 minutes.
“We want every student to start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and set up for success,” said David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint, a health benefits company supporting the health needs of state and municipal employees insured through the Group Insurance Commission. “We’re proud to provide these backpacks and school supplies to Lowell families, and we’re grateful to the Lowell Police Department for their partnership and commitment to supporting young people in the community.”
“Providing opportunities for young people to take part in positive activities and to build relationships with their peers, members of law enforcement and other adults in their community can help shape their futures,” said Office of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “The Lowell Police Department and their community partners are doing outstanding work supporting the next generation and reducing community violence.”
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