THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 6, 2026 Page 3 Everett mayor invites Nan Project into youth services overhaul, ARPA funding talks By Neil Zolot M ayor Robert Van Campen invited representatives of The Nan Project suicide prevention organization to participate in discussions during his administration’s reorganization of the Youth Development & Enrichment Department. “It would be helpful if you were involved in that,” he told Nan Project Cofounder and Executive Director Jake Cavanaugh during a briefi ng by Cavanaugh at the School Committee meeting on Monday, February 2. Van Campen also wants CaPictured from left to right: The Nan Project Cofounder and Executive Director Jake Cavanaugh, Peer Counsellor Lauren Dinovi, Clinical Director Donna Kausek and Peer Counsellor Mars Lavaronte. vanaugh involved in discussions about how to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to fund programs. “We don’t ask schools for funding and there are ARPA funds to expend in the schools,” Cavanaugh said. The invitation dovetailed with Cavanaugh’s request “for ideas to as to how we can bring our programs to more students in Everett,” a reference to his interest in expanding programs beyond current ones at the High School, Devens and Keverian Schools and in Parent University at the High School in November. The programs often involve peer counsellors, young people in their 20s, speaking to students about depression and resources to deal with depression and thoughts of suicide. “The focus is on recovery,” Cavanaugh said. “The counsellors go into classrooms and talk about what that was like and what it was like to talk to a counsellor or parent about it.” He also said, “Getting in front of parents is one of our most diffi cult tasks, but we’d love to do more of that. We’d like everyone to be part of this conNAN PROJECT | SEE PAGE 6 The Nan Project Cofounder and Executive Director Jake Cavanaugh. PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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