TO:                  Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                                    And

                        Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:            Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:             May 18, 2007

RE:                   Council Motion of 3/20/07 by Councillor Ramirez

“Request the City Manager to report on the opportunities for Summer Youth Programs.”

________________________________________________________________________

I requested Tom Bellegarde (Parks), Dora St. Martin (Library), Peter Faticanti (Parks), Michael McQuaid (Career Center), Alison Carroll (Parks), and Peter Faticanti (Parks) to report on summer programs and opportunities for youth at the Youth Subcommittee meeting held on May 14. 

Mr. Bellegarde and his staff distributed the 2007 Healthy Summer Brochure listing programs for youth available from city agencies, local nonprofit and arts agencies throughout the city.  Ms. St. Martin reported on the summer opportunities at the library including this year’s Summer Reading Program.  Mr. McQuaid reported on the Lowell Youth Works Career Expo held at Lowell High School on May 9 to connect youth to local employers.  Due to city efforts and collaboration with local businesses Mr. McQuaid announced there would be 190 subsidized jobs and 100 or more private sector jobs available for youth this summer.  Mr. Bellegarde reported that job within the Parks and Recreation Department would increase from 40 to 70 positions, including a new program to train youth for lifeguard positions at the city’s pools.  All city pools would be open this summer including the McPherson, O’Donnell, Fels, South Common and Mulligan pools and the Rynne Beach on the Merrimack River. 

The Healthy Summer Program kicks off on Tuesday, June 19^th at 12 noon in JFK Civic Center.  The Healthy Summer Brochure was distributed to all City Councilors at the City Council meeting on May 16, 2007.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.  Thank you.