Governor Maura Healey visits Lowell Boys & Girls Club, highlights about $7 million in state support for Summer Nights

Governor Maura Healey visited the Boys & Girls Club in Lowell to celebrate the state’s Summer Nights program and said the state had "took about $7,000,000" to invest in renovations and new spaces at the club. She encouraged young attendees to try activities, thanked program partners and urged residents to enjoy the summer safely.

The event included remarks from Shane Stella, identified in the program as the 2025 Youth of the Year and now a Boys & Girls Club staff member, who opened the gathering and thanked the governor and other dignitaries for their support. Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) described Summer Nights as a statewide effort and cited participation figures: she said 101 community organizations will offer programming at 154 locations serving young people in 40 communities across Massachusetts.

"Every young person deserves a safe welcoming place," Commissioner LaChapelle said, praising the mentors, volunteers and community partners that run local programming. She also acknowledged a capital campaign tied to the club’s facilities.

Governor Healey highlighted several tangible supports tied to the program. She said the state invested about $7 million into the local club to create a performance space, a black-box theater and upgraded recreation and education rooms, and noted a partnership that allowed roughly 20 children from the club to attend World Cup events. She also said Summer Nights participants and their families are being offered free ferry passes to visit the Harbor Islands and other Boston Harbor sites.

Officials framed the event as the result of collaboration between state government, local leaders and nonprofit partners. The governor and commissioner repeatedly thanked local staff, volunteers and municipal officials for organizing programming and for mentoring youth who later return as instructors.

The event closed with a performance by local youth and organizers preparing for outdoor activities; attendees were encouraged to participate in games and neighborhood events tied to Summer Nights. No formal votes or motions were recorded at the gathering.