River Ambassador Program

The River Ambassador Program (RAP) is an award-winning youth program that brings youth together with the University and community groups to address environmental health concerns in Lowell. Over 250, primarily Southeast Asian, high school students have participated in the program since its inception in the 1990s.

RAP’s mission is to learn more about environmental issues in the region, educate others in the community about those issues, and to take action whenever possible to improve the environment. RAP strives to build a strong relationship with the community through interactions that increase the community's recognition of, and respect for youth as role models. 

One of the integral components of the program is to be invovled with community events. By supporting and volunteering in various events, the program and its members are recognized as an important resource in the community. The teens also feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in participating in these civic activities.

RAP members have written and produced original plays, songs, and cable television shows on environmental science. They also have published journal articles about their work and have presented at national and international conferences about the out-of-school time strategies for urban youth.

Orginally faciliated by CFWC, RAP is now housed at Lowell Telecommunications Corporation. For more information contact Dan Toomey.