HYPPE

Healthy Youth & Parents Through Partnership & Empowerment (HYPPE) is funded by the Atrius Health Equity Foundation through the Youth Change Agents Initiative, supporting youth-led community health solutions across Eastern Massachusetts.

WHAT HYPPE IS

HYPPE builds a pathway into health care careers for Lowell youth in grades 7 through 11. GLHA distributes funding to youth-serving satellite sites across the city. Each site delivers a long-term, high-touch positive youth development curriculum paired with meaningful engagement in health career opportunities through mentorship, internship placements, and clinical shadowing. Every participating teen is paid a monthly stipend.

Our career focus is RN and above, to build pipelines into high-paying health and health care roles. 

MISSION AND VISION
Developed by the HYPPE Teen Steering Committee.

Mission: To empower youth to drive community change through programs that promote social and financial opportunities, youth development, and lifelong health equity, where all people live healthy.

Vision: We envision a Lowell where consistent investment inspires youth and families to become leaders and creators of health and equity, expand access to care, and expand the life cycle.

FUNDING

HYPPE is funded through the  Atrius Health Equity Foundation  initiative Youth as Health Care Change Agents, a $23 million investment in community-based organizations across Eastern Massachusetts.

2025 Youth Community Health Improvement Plan

HYPPE Satellite Sites

 

PROGRAM STRUCTURE: 75 YOUTH ACROSS FIVE SITES

• HYPPE 1, Excite, 7th-8th grade: Butler Middle School, Sullivan Middle School
• HYPPE 2, Expose, 9th-11th grade: Lowell High School, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell
• HYPPE 3, Execute, 11th-12th grade: in development

 

HYPPE Core Competencies 

• HYPPE Identity: Community & Team Building Workshops
  Workshops designed for teens and parents to learn about the HYPPE program, its mission, and the importance of collaboration and community engagement. Workshops and activities include team and family bonding experiences.
• Health Careers & College Pathways
  Workshops that provide teens and parents with information and guidance on various career opportunities and college pathways within the health care and health related fields. Activities include health career internships, college prep experiences, health career mentorships, and career advising for both youth and households.
• Community Leadership Lab
  Workshops that empower teens to develop leadership, communication, and advocacy skills while designing and implementing health initiatives within the Lowell community. HYPPE youth will lead their own health initiatives in their organizations, neighborhoods, communities, and schools. 
• Mental Health
  Workshops that support teens and parents in strengthening their mental well-being and equip them with the knowledge and skills to assist peers, families, and communities in promoting mental health awareness and support. Mental Health activities include experiences for HYPPE Youth and Households to explore and build their own mental health while learning how to support their peers, families, and communities mental health. 
• Financial Health
  Workshops that educate teens and parents on essential financial literacy topics, including budgeting, saving, and responsible money management. Activities for both parent and youth include financial health guest speakers, mentorship, advising, and hands on education. 

  By participating in HYPPE… 

  Youth will… 

  • Gain access to internships and college prep for high-paying healthcare careers, improving generational socioeconomic status.
  • Engage in community-driven, holistic mental and physical health programs & lead community health initiatives
  • Be paid to participate in this program

  Parents and households will… 

  • Be engaged and involved with their child’s journey to a high-paying health care job
  • Engage in educational workshops and programs to improve socioeconomic status, health, and insight to support their child
  • Be incentivized to participate in this program

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS, 2026

• 11 paid interns at Lowell General Hospital and Tufts Medicine
• MEDscience Week for 8 middle schoolers and 12 high schoolers, in partnership with Harvard Medical School, Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, Lowell Community Health Center, Pride Star Trinity, SLS Fitness, and Project LEARN
• Mentor Advisory Council of 12 health professionals from Tufts Medicine
• Beth Israel Lahey Health six-week mobile workshop series.
• Career and college student guest speakers.
• HYPPE Retreat and ongoing engagement from smaller partners.

YOUTH LED INITIATIVES, 2026

• Healthy Habits workshops at CMAA, led by the Boys & Girls Club HYPPE cohort
• Social media health campaigns at @hyppelowell
• Hygiene care pack creation and distribution
• Suicide prevention panel with the Boys & Girls Club, The NAN Project, and Lowell Community Health Center School Based Health
• Healthy relationships panel with Butler Middle School and Alternative House
• Mental Health Awareness Month LHS Cafeteria Vendor Tables 
• Merrimack Valley Youth Mental Health Resource Guide
• HYPPE Youth Leadership Board composed of two youth from each site 
• HYPPE Kick Off Event on October 23rd at MCC 

HYPPE PARTNERS

Lowell General Hospital and Tufts Medicine, Lowell Public Schools, Lowell High School, Butler Middle School, Sullivan Middle School, Project LEARN, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, along with a set of smaller partners delivering targeted programming. Additional collaborators include Harvard Medical School MEDscience, Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, Lowell Community Health Center, Frontline Community Services, and Beth Israel Lahey Health.

Get Involved

Want to partner with HYPPE? Share your opportunities with us! We are looking for:

• Internships
• Mentorships
• Community Service Opportunities
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Guest Speakers
• Workshops
• Youth Events
• Merrimack Valley Youth Mental Health Resource Guide:

Follow us on Instagram: @hyppelowell

Contact the GLHA to get involved: ella.harris@greaterlowellhealthalliance.org