Lori Trahan highlights $2.2M in federal funds for local Boys & Girls Clubs

LOWELL — U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and leaders of local Boys & Girls Clubs celebrated $2.2 million in federal funding Trahan secured for the clubs in the 3rd Congressional District in a fiscal 2023 funding package.

The funding negotiated by Trahan was used to support five Boys & Girls Clubs in her district, including the clubs in Lowell, Lawrence, MetroWest, Haverhill and the Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner club. It is being used to fund new and existing workforce development programs at the clubs, including career pathways exploration, job skills training and work-based learning experiences for teenage club members.

Trahan came to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Tuesday evening to highlight the funding. She said all five clubs collaborated to request the $2.2 million, which was split evenly with each club receiving about $400,000.

“It’s going to fill such a major need. I just learned of all the programs all the individual clubs are embarking on around the workforce, apprenticeships and career pathways,” said Trahan. “If you think about all the legislation we just passed, whether it was infrastructure, or CHIPS and Science, or inflation reduction with investments in clean energy, we need more workers.”

Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner CEO Elizabeth Coveney called the federal funds “a transformative investment” in their workforce development projects.

“This support will enable us to expand our programs, fostering the next generation of leaders right here in our district. We are profoundly grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s vision and commitment to our mission, and we look forward to seeing the remarkable impact of this funding on our Clubhouse and beyond,” said Coveney.

David Ginisi, the senior director of marketing and development at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner, said the funding for their club would be used for evolving their programs for their teenage members to help them explore a range of potential career interests.

“We are looking to build a state of the art podcast studio with this. We are looking to create and establish licensing programs. Lifeguard licensing, drivers’ licensing, CNA programming, giving these kids the opportunities to develop skills that will better prepare them to enter the workforce as they move on and mature,” said Ginisi.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Executive Director Joe Hungler said the funds would help give his club’s members the resources and exposure to set themselves up for a good career in the future. As he spoke, construction surrounded the building as the club builds a new teen center.

“Our goal is to make sure that as we build this new teen center with a separate teen entrance, there is the awesome programs that will inspire our youth by exposing them to different careers and what is possible,” said Hungler. “As well as to make sure they get the skills they need and the experiences and the connections. A lot of kids could be one of the smartest kids in the world, but if they can’t get their foot in the door, you can’t get to the interview.”