New Youth Services Director Plans to Offer Programs With a Purpose

Lynn resident Amy Luckiewicz is the town's new Youth Services Director. She looks forward to offering programs with a purpose for teens in town.

Luckiewicz graduated from Boston College in 2001 with a degree in communications and a minor in environmental studies. At that time, she hadn't yet found her passion for working with youth.

Before accepting her new position in North Reading, she worked for two branches of the YMCA of Greater Boston. She ran youth programs in Wakefield for the Burbank branch and left in 2006 to travel. She returned in 2008 and worked for the North Suburban branch in Woburn.

"My most recent title was site director at the Joyce Middle School. I also ran programs for parents including the Family Nurturing Program," she said.

The youth programs she ran were for kids ages five to 13, and "specialized in serving kids of all abilities including kids on the Autism spectrum, ADHD, bi-polar diagnosis, and other developmental and physical differences."

She is looking forward to working with older teens in town and hopes that they will see Youth Services as a place to go for "help, support and fun."

"The [Youth Services] Committee is very committed to serving the needs of the kids in town, but making sure the kids have a say in what those needs are," she said. "As someone from out of town, it’s important to me to not assume that I know everything!"

Currently she is thinking about planning events for this summer, including the Battle of the Bands contest as she has heard of its popularity. She also has other events in mind.

"I’d love to offer a Mass Adventure program that allows kids to visit state attractions and parks, but with a purpose. For example, let’s say we visit a state forest. I’d like to have the kids learn about navigation skills while on the trip. Or if we went to a high-ropes course, we can work on communication skills and teamwork," she said.

Having just started in town this week, she received a warm welcome.

"On my first day I visited the high school, middle school, met the Board of Selectmen, and School Committee as well. Within the Town Hall, I got the feeling that everyone was offering support and wanted to make me feel welcome. It was the best first day on a job I’ve ever had," she told Patch.

She lives close to her family in Lynn in a house she purchased and fixed up.

"I grew up with a plumber, electrician and carpenter so I loved working on it. It’s right near a park and I enjoy biking to my friends' and my parents’ houses," she said.

Luckiewicz is taking over for former Director Erica Hansen who left in February and is now a Case Manager with SCO Family of Services.