Social Capital Incorporated of Lynn is proud to announce the 1st Mini-Grant Award provided by the SCI Lynn Citywide Youth Council. Youth participants from the Lynn, Northshore area will be accepting applications through March 15tht for youth related projects centered on civic engagement and youth leadership.

In the past, SCI’s Youth Council’s have funded events that address such issues as alcohol awareness, underage drinking, youth violence, and adolescent literacy. With that, we invite you and your fellow youth leaders to take the first step in affecting positive change in the Lynn community by applying for the Citywide Youth Council Mini-Grant Award 2009. All applicants who are awarded the 2009 Mini-Grant will be honored at a well attended ceremony commending them for their community service efforts.

Grants will range between $500 and $1200, and are strongly encouraged to focus on the issues and concerns relevant to youth in Lynn. SCI hopes to enlist youth who are passionate about the important issues in the Lynn community. Applications are open to all youth groups, as well as individuals, with the exception that each applicant has an adult advisor. Applications will be available on the SCI Lynn website, as well as the following locations: the SCI Lynn office, located at 52 Andrew Street, Straight Ahead Ministries, Family and Children Servicesof Greater Lynn and the Greater Lynn YMCA.

To learn more about the SCI Lynn Citywide Youth Council Mini-Grant Award 2009 please download the application at scilynn.org or contact Mallory Burns at mailto:mburns@scilynn.orgor Amanda Richardson at arichardson@scilynn.org. Also, please feel free to call the SCI Lynn office at 781-599-1269. We look forward to seeing your applications. This grant was made possible by the Amelia Peabody Foundation.

 Click here to download the application

The Greater Lynn YMCA is hosting an information session about their free lifeguard course for teens over the age of 16 on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 PM, free to all with light refreshments provided. The DCR Lifeguard course placed eighteen lifeguards at various beaches, ponds and community pools during the summer of 2008, and twenty slots are open now for 2009. To enter the program you must be able to swim at least 300 yards. There is no limit to the number of teens they will coach, and in February they will choose 20 candidates for DCR employment, which pays close to $500.

Click here for more information

Girl Scouts of America is presently recruiting youth workers interested in community work in the Lynn area. In the coming months Girl Scouts will be developing programs for several organizations and schools in the Lynn area. They hope to hire a part-time employee to help them meet their goals.

For more information please contact Lorie Mendoza, Diversity Specialist- North Region, by phone 978-689-8015 or e-mail lmendoza@girlscoutseasternmass.org.

Click here for more information

 All Highlands residents are invited to a free community dinner hosted by the Highlands Coalition. Go and meet your neighbors on Tuesday January 27th at the Robert L. Ford school, located at 49 Hollingsworth Street. Come and enjoy refreshments and performances, and learn about all of the different opportunities available in your neighborhood, and throughout Lynn. Representatives from local non-profits will be hosting tables and talking to all community dinner guest about new and existing services available in Lynn. Learn about preventing home foreclosure,opportunities for youth, and enter to win fun raffle prizes for gift certificates redeemable at businesses in Lynn.

For more information about the Highlands Coalition's Community Dinner please contact Ryanne Filbey at 781-592-9744 ext. 210 or rfilbey@socialcapitalinc.org. This event is made possibe by Communities That Cares, the Robert L. Ford School, Social Capital Incorporated of Lynn, and the Highlands Coalition.

Calling all teen artists! 'Part of the Solution' (POS) is putting on an open mic night for teens on January 16th, from 6 PM until 9 PM. "Urban Expressions" is going to be one night of awesome live entertainment at LynnArts. There will be great performances, step dance, singing, and so much more! All teens and artists are welcome. To sign up early email Ryanne Filbey at rfilbey@girlsinclynn.org. The POS Youth Council looks forward to seeing you at LynnArts (25 Exchange Street) on January 16th ready for a fun evening of "Urban Expression"!

On Sunday, December 7th over seventy-five people gathered at the Boston Commons for the second annual Los Posadas, a ceremony honoring the immigrant journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter to cover them during the birth of Jesus. The event marked the difficulties many immigrants face when making the journey to start a new life. People paraded to different locations around the Boston Commons to commemorate the journey. In light that immigrants have faced increasingly rabid attacks –even from other minority communities—participants of all colors and faiths showed unity in Massachusetts for our immigrant sisters and brothers.

Please click here to view pictures of this extraodinary event!

Students from Brickett, Shoemaker, Ford, Lincoln-Thompson and Marshall schools are participating in a coat drive this winter, sponsored by Anton's Cleaners.  The 14th annual Coats for Kids drive kicked off October 1st and runs through December 31st.  There are more than 260 schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire participating.  Distribution partners include Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Mass Bay, Salvation Army, Lowell Wish Project, MA Coalition for the Homeless, Cradles to Crayons, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children, and MASSCAP, among others, will be providing coats to those in need.  Donated items will be washed at Anton's and donated to needy families.

To find out how you can help please visit the Coats for Kids website by clicking here.

LynnArts presents their February Program, Everyday Art for ages 6 to 12, beginning Tuesday, February 17th through February 20th from 9 AM to 3 PM. Art explorers will be exposed to a broad range of visual and performing art forms through hands-on-activities and discussions. Each week is designed to encourage creativity tied to a larger contextual theme.  Visual arts activities may include painting, multi-media sculpture and projects, printmaking and more. In performing arts classes, explore discover new forms of expression through movement, acting, scripting-writing and story telling. Students develop pride and self-confidence by presenting their work at the end of each week.  On the last day of class, friends and family are encouraged to support their budding artists by visiting their self-curated exhibition and performance! Performance, exhibition, reception at 2:30 on Fridays.

Registration is $125 (fees include registration and materials) and you must register by February 6th. Scholarships are available by calling LynnArts at (781) 598-5244 to request an application. For more information on LynnArts' Programs or to register you can click here.