05/20/2025
Congratulations to the the Career Academy team behind Mental Health is an Umbrella Issue for winning the Grassroots Change Award at Civics Day! Their powerful project shed light on how critical challenges facing Lowellβsuch as housing insecurity, substance use, gun violence, and court involvementβare deeply connected to mental health. By focusing on the 2026 Massachusetts state budget, these students advocated to preserve funding for vital services like jail diversion programs, transition teams for individuals in emergency treatment, and case managers within the Department of Mental Health. Through outreach to local policymakers and agencies, they demonstrated both courage and commitment in driving meaningful, systemic change in Lowell.
Pictured left to right: Diego Carty, Junior Han, Chris Lozada, Mrs. Drivas