LOWELL — Interim Police Superintendent Barry Golner is pleased to share that the Lowell Police Youth Services Program and community partners offered a school vacation week basketball camp to Lowell youth in grades 5 to 8.
The camp was offered in collaboration with Lowell Public Schools, UMass Lowell and the Afro-American Community Collaborative from Tuesday to Thursday, with lunch provided to participants.
Instructors at the camp included members of the Lowell Police Department, the Lowell High School Boy’s Varsity Basketball Team, the Lowell High School Girl’s Travel Team, and the UMass Lowell Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams. Students participated in exercises to improve their shooting, ball handling, passing and other skills, while also forming positive relationships with police and other community leaders.
NBA star Terance Mann, of the Los Angeles Clippers, made a surprise appearance at the camp on Wednesday afternoon, signing autographs for students and answering questions.
Mann was born in Brooklyn, but moved to Lowell in the 5th grade and attended the Bartlett School and Sullivan School before going to the Tilton School in New Hampshire, and then Florida State University. He played basketball as a youth at Father Maguire Park, Shedd Park, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. Mann said he considers Lowell his hometown.
Mann, who earned a Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Florida State, with a minor in Criminal Justice, reminded students to work hard in school and on the court, and said he had to maintain good grades in both high school and college in order to play basketball.
The camp is one of several initiatives organized by the Lowell Police Youth Services Program, which seeks to create opportunities for all city youth to participate in free after-school activities, athletics, and other ventures that emphasize health and wellness, while also experiencing positive interactions with police officers.
“I want to thank all of our community partners for collaborating with the Lowell Police Department on another great program for youth in the City of Lowell, where teamwork, partnerships, and a dedication to young people are a key to our city’s success,” said Interim Superintendent Golner. “I specifically want to thank Sgt. Mike Marshall, Officer Mindy Dower, Officer Kyle Van, Officer Jose Santiago and Sgt. Joe Kelly for their work with students and community partners, as well as Lowell Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Robin Desmond.”
“These activities empower our young people by providing constructive outlets to grow and learn, providing the kids with an opportunity to develop basic basketball skills and fundamentals while building teamwork and developing character and confidence,” said Rob Mitchell, of the Afro-American Community Collaborative. “The foundation of our community is our unbreakable pride and never-ending support from great young men from Lowell like Terance Mann, Romello Crowell, Julian Scott, and community partners like the Lowell Police Department, Lowell Public Schools, Lowell High School, and UMass Lowell.”
“Lowell Public Schools is fortunate to have community partners who are so dedicated to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Joel Boyd. “I want to thank the Lowell Police Department, the Afro-American Community Collaborative, and UMass Lowell for providing this excellent and fun opportunity for our middle school kids during vacation week. These partnerships are an important way for our young people to build relationships with trusted adults in the community, as well as to improve their skills and have a good time. And they got to meet Terance Mann, a Lowell kid who worked extremely hard and hasn’t forgotten where he came from — that is just awesome.”
For more information on the Afro-American Community Collaborative, or to contact the organization, click here.
About the Lowell Police Youth Services Program
The Lowell Police Youth Services Program seeks to create opportunities for all city youth to participate in free after school activities, athletics, and other ventures that emphasize health and wellness, while also experiencing positive interactions with police officers. The Lowell Police Youth Services Program is open to partnering with all community stakeholders. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for additional programming involving swimming and ultimate flying disk.
For more information on the Lowell Police Youth Services Program, email: LPDYouthServices@lowellma.gov. To make a donation to the Lowell Police Youth Services Program via the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, click here.
To follow the Lowell Police Youth Services Program on Instagram, click here.
Lowell Police Officer Kyle Van shows two students proper technique for passing the ball at a school vacation week basketball camp. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
A student makes a layup during a school vacation basketball camp at Lowell High School. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
Kareem Davis, center, speaks with volunteer instructors at the camp, including basketball players from Lowell High School and UMass Lowell. At right is Rob Mitchell, of the Afro-American Community Collaborative. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
Two campers stand arm in arm as another camper drives to the hoop under the watchful eye of Kareem Davis. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
Terance Mann, a starter with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers who grew up in Lowell, stands with students who participated in a school vacation week basketball camp held by the Lowell Police Youth Services Program and community partners. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) Lowell High School player Joseph Thomas gives campers tips on dribbling during an exercise at the camp. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
A student practices his jump shot at the camp. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
Los Angeles Clippers starter Terance Mann speaks to students at the camp, as Lowell Police Interim Superintendent Barry Golner stands at rear. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department) 
Los Angeles Clippers starter Terance Mann draws smiles from campers during a question and answer session. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
