July: Disability Pride Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
2024-07-01 - 2024-07-31 | MA
July is Disability Pride Month and National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month!
Learn more about the featured Disability Advocate Spotlights:

Learn more about Brad Lomax
Learn more about Lois Curtis
Learn more about Ed Roberts
Learn more about Judy Huemann
Learn more about Leroy Moore and the Krip-Hop Institute
Learn more about I. King Jordan
Learn more about Jim Sinclair and read “Don’t Mourn Us” by Jim Sinclair
Learn more about Linda Bove
Learn more about Anne Fracht
Learn more about Reggie Clark and Clark’s input during a Harvard Law School Project on Disability Event
Learn more about Elmer C. Bartels

Learn more about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.

Massachusetts Emancipation Day (Quock Walker Day)
2024-07-08 | MA
“On Saturday, July 8, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts celebrated its first Quock Walker Day, also known as Massachusetts Emancipation Day, commemorating the end of slavery in Massachusetts.
In 1781, Walker challenged his own enslavement in court, arguing that slavery went against both the Bible and the state constitution. His case eventually led to Massachusetts being one of the first states to abolish slavery.
To learn more about the story of Quock Walker and how the day came to be, The Lexington Observer sat down with Sean Osborne, cofounder of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington and a historian who helped raise the awareness about Quock Walker’s role in American history.”
Read more of this article from the Lexington Observer.

Back to School Month
2024-08-01 - 2024-08-31 | MA

Worcester National Night Out 2024
2024-08-06 16:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Tuesday, August 6th from 4:00-8:00 at the Fuller Family (YMCA) Park.
Visit the Worcester PD’s Facebook event for more info.

Fitchburg National Night Out 2024
2024-08-06 17:00 - 19:00 | MA
Tuesday, August 6th from 5:00-7:00 at 174 Elm Street, Fitchburg MA
Learn more at the Fitchburg Police Department Facebook page.

Leominster National Night Out 2024
2024-08-06 17:00 - 20:00 | MA
Join LCAT, the Leominster Mayor’s Office, and Leominster PD for an awesome night of FREE Family Fun and community building at the Leominster National Night Out 2024! Tuesday, August 6th from 5-8 PM in Downtown Leominster (rain date 8/13). Bounce Houses | Cutouts | DJ | Entertainment | Bike Raffle | Resource Tables | Public Safety Displays | Department of Public Works Touch-A-Truck area | Demos | Free Food | Free Water | Free Ice Cream

Gardner National Night Out 2024
2024-08-08 17:30 - 20:00 | MA
August 8th, 5:30-8:00 PM, 200 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA
Learn more at the event post from GCAT on Facebook

Ashburnham/Westminster National Night Out 2024
2024-08-13 17:30 - 20:00 | MA
August 13th from 5:30-8:00 PM at Oakmont Regional HS (9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham)
Learn more from the Westminster Police Department’s post on Facebook

Mentoring Fundraiser - Chipotle
2024-08-14 16:00 - 20:00 | MA
Enjoy tasty food while supporting LUK Mentoring! Show the included flyer when you order at the Leominster Chipotle from 4-8 on August 14th, and 25% of sales will be donated to LUK Mentoring! If ordering online for pickup, use code W2CH32B (does not count for delivery, and only valid from 4-8 PM at the 252 Mill St, Leominster location).

School Health and Wellness Summit
2024-08-28 08:00 - 10:00 | MA
Join the Health Equity Partnership (CHNA9), Gardner Community Action Team, North Central Community Action Team, Gardner Public Schools, and LUK Prevention for a School Health and Wellness Summit! August 28th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This event is virtual, and the link will be sent when you register. Register and learn more at the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/school-health-and-wellness-summit-tickets-920934699477

September: Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month, National Recovery Month, Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
2024-09-01 - 2024-09-30 | MA
Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
National Recovery Month
The purpose of National Recovery Month is to raise awareness of the journey to recovery from substance use disorders and mental health issues. This month is a great time to remember to be inspired, empowered, and hopeful. It offers an environment for recognizing the successes and milestones of those in recovery as well as celebrating their resiliency and strength. In addition to increasing public awareness of the success of treatment and support services, National Recovery Month inspires people to ask for assistance without worrying about being judged. This month has significance for lowering stigma, supporting in recovery, and creating more wholesome and encouraging communities.
Importance of Recovery:
Destigmatizing addiction
Promoting treatment and support
Celebrating achievements
Creating community support
Learn more:
https://www.newenglandrecoverycenter.org/blog/why-national-recovery-month-plays-such-an-important-role-in-addiction-recovery/

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
The reason Suicide Prevention Month is so important is because it raises awareness of a serious problem that affects people everywhere. This month offers a chance to de-stigmatize discussions about mental health and suicide, promoting knowing when to communicate with someone who might be suffering and the ability to identify behaviors that indicate a need for support. It highlights the importance of early intervention, easily available resources, and networks of support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions. Moreover, Suicide Prevention Month serves as a time to honor those who have lost their lives to suicide and to emphasize the significance of prevention. Ultimately, the focus of this month is on raising awareness of suicide and teaching people how to prevent it.
Importance of Suicide Prevention Month:
Raising awareness
Promoting resources and support
Educating
Advocacy
honoring
Learn more:
https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/observances/suicide-prevention-month

Mentoring Fundraiser - Panera
2024-09-05 16:00 - 20:00 | MA
Enjoy tasty food while supporting LUK Mentoring! Show the included flyer when you order at the Leominster Panera from 4-8 on September 5th and 20% of the sales will benefit LUK Mentoring! If ordering online, use the code FUND4U at checkout (only available from 4-8 at the 100 Commercial Road, Leominster location).

2024 Worcester Pride Festival
2024-09-07 15:00 - 20:00 | MA
Stop by and say hi at the 2024 Worcester Pride Festival on September 7th from 3-8 in Downtown Worcester! LUK will have info tables from multiple programs, including our Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program, Worcester County Youth Action Board (YAB), and more!
Find more information about Pride Worcester Festival on the Pride Worcester website here.

Johnny Appleseed Festival 2024
2024-09-14 09:00 - 17:00 | MA
Come say hi to LUK at the 2024 Johnny Appleseed Festival in downtown Leominster!
Learn more about this community event on the Facebook event page.

Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
2024-09-15 - 2024-10-15 | MA
Check out the 4th Annual Hispanic Heritage event in Leominster
Check out the Festival Latino de Fitchburg

Rodman Ride for Kids
2024-09-21 | MA
Join LUK Mentoring for the 34th Annual Rodman Ride for Kids on Saturday, September 21st! Grab your bike & helmet and hit the road with us for a 25-mile or 50-mile non-competitive ride starting in Foxboro, MA. If biking isn’t your thing, pick your favorite activity and register as a “virtual participant.” We’d love to have you on our team!
Become a participant, donate to a rider, or make a general team donation. Your support helps us continue to pair vulnerable youth with adults in North Central Massachusetts. Thank you for your support!
https://mentoring.www.luk.org/mentoring-events/rodman/

Festival Latino de Fitchburg
2024-09-21 12:00 - 17:00 | MA
Stop by and say hi at the Festival Latino de Fitchburg! We’ll have multiple of our programs present to share information with the community and celebrate Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month!
Learn more on the official Facebook Event from Fitchburg Civic Days.

25th Annual Common Ground - Basketball Tournament and Walk for Peace
2024-09-28 09:00 - 16:00 | Fitchburg Upper Common, 857 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420, United States
Join us for the 25th Annual Common Ground Basketball Tournament and Walk for Peace on September 28th! At 9:00 am, meet us at the boulder on the Fitchburg Upper Common for the Walk for Peace through Fitchburg, heading to Joann “Mama” Fitz Memorial Park (Green Street) for the youth basketball tournament at 10:00! Enjoy games, resource and information tables, sounds by “The DJ” Brad Piff, refreshments, and the opportunity to connect with the community! LUK Youth Development, in partnership with Fitchburg Parks and Recreation, is excited to continue this annual tradition of finding common ground with our community.
Make sure to stop by the Heavy’s House food truck which will be at the basketball tournament!
Contact YouthDevelopment@LUK.org with any questions.
(Rain date September 29th)

October: Bullying Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-31 | MA
October is Bullying Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and includes NAMI’s Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6th-12th

Greater Gardner National Night Out 2024 Rescheduled
2024-10-01 17:30 - 19:00 | MA
Stop by and say hi to us at the Greater Gardner National Night Out! Find the flyer on the Gardner Community Action Team Facebook Page

NAMI Mental Illness Awareness Event: Training and Vigil
2024-10-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Leominster Public Library, 30 West Street, Leominster, MA, 01453, United States
Join NAMI for this training and candlelight vigil for Mental Illness Awareness Week on Monday, October 7th at the Leominster Public Library. LUK and Movimiento will be providing QPR Suicide Prevention Training in English and Spanish from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, and the community candlelight vigil for Mental Illness Awareness will be from 6:00-6:30 PM.
Learn more about NAMI’s Mental Illness Awareness Week here.

Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser
2024-10-10 15:00 - 22:00 | Texas Roadhouse, 196 New Lancaster Road, Leominster, MA, 01453, United States
Come to Texas Roadhouse (196 New Lancaster Road, Leominster) on Thursday, October 10 from 3:00-10:00 pm and show the attached flyer for 15% of the proceeds from your meal to go towards LUK Mentoring’s Rodman Ride Team!
The LUK Mentoring Program pairs caring, concerned role models with youth who will benefit from additional support. The LUK Mentoring Program serves the cities and towns in Worcester County. To learn more about LUK Mentoring → https://mentoring.www.luk.org
Rodman Ride for Kids is an umbrella matching gift charity raising funds for youth-focused social service organizations that support vulnerable youth in Massachusetts. To learn more about Rodman Ride for Kids → https://mentoring.www.luk.org/mentoring-events/rodman/

LUK Trunk or Treat 2024
2024-10-25 16:00 - 18:00 | LUK Main Office, 545 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420
Join us for some ~spooky~ family fun at Trunk or Treat 2024! Park at the Crocker Playground parking lot (corner of Westminster and Wachusett St) and enjoy collecting candy and toys in the LUK Main Office parking lot (545 Westminster Street) with fun decorations by LUK staff!
No registration required, but a parent/guardian must be in attendance with youth. Please let staff at the event know if youth have any allergies so we can provide them with allergy-friendly goodies.

LUK-O-Lantern Halloween Bash
2024-10-29 16:00 - 20:00 | MA
October 29th, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Leominster Eagles #477 (456 Litchfield St, Leominster, MA)
LUK Families Connected clients and DDS-eligible families are welcome to join us for a sensory-friendly Halloween party for the whole family! Enjoy pizza and sweet treats, a costume parade, and fun activities like karaoke, mask decorating, and pumpkin decorating. Costumes are encouraged at this free event (but are optional). Please register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LUKFCEVENTS

This event is intended for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as their families and/or caretakers, living in North Central MA. For questions about eligibility, contact FamiliesConnected@LUK.org

LUK WCYAB Meet and Greet
2024-10-29 16:30 - 17:30 | MA
Meet current members of the Worcester County Youth Action Board at this virtual Meet and Greet! Learn what the LUK WCYAB is, how they make a difference in our community, and how to join. Email YAB@LUK.org to register and get the link.

November: Adoption Month, National Native American Heritage Month (Indigenous People’s Month), Runaway Homeless Youth Month, Veteran and Military Families Month
2024-11-01 - 2024-11-30 | MA

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
2024-12-01 - 2024-12-31 | MA

Anti-Violence Art: Youth Art Exhibition Opening
2025-01-02 17:00 - 19:00 | MA
Join LUK Youth Development, Peers Making Peace, and local youth for this Anti-Violence Art Exhibition! The gallery opening will be on January 2nd, 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Fitchburg Art Museum Community Gallery and is free to attend. All are welcome! There will be light refreshments, information about violence prevention, and of course, awesome multi-media art by local students!
Can’t make the opening? No problem! This exhibition will be up for the entire month of January, so stop by any time to check out the great work!
Questions? Contact YouthDevelopment@LUK.org
Thank you to the Fitchburg Art Museum and Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner for your support!

Family Center Walk-Ins Welcome
2025-01-15 09:00 - 15:30 | LUK Families Connected Family Center, 99 Day Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420, United States
Stop by the Families Connected Family Resource Center from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM for their Walk-In Hours! Learn about how the Family Center can help you navigate services, access resources, and get support.
Learn more about the Families Connected Family Resource Center at https://www.luk.org/luk-families-connected-family-resource-center/

Bingo at the Family Center!
2025-01-21 12:00 - 14:00 | LUK Families Connected Family Center, 99 Day Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420, United States
Join the Families Connected Family Resource Center for bingo! Stop by from 12:00-2:00 PM for some classic family fun.
Learn more about Families Connected at https://www.luk.org/luk-families-connected-family-resource-center/
