PEABODY — Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem of the Massachusetts Juvenile Court was presented the 2022 Above & Beyond Award Thursday night at the Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy’s (LYSOA) second-annual gala.
The gala, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year for LYSOA, was held at the Boston Marriott Peabody.
Nechtem was honored for her support of LYSOA’s mission to help high-risk youths in Lynn avoid gang violence and incarceration by participating and enrolling in community-service programs provided by the organization.
LYSOA Executive Director and co-founder Teresa DiGregorio said Nechtem has supported the organization by being part of the courtroom process and community. Nechtem has also collaborated with LYSOA to help 12-24-year-olds find ways to make positive changes in their lives, she said.
“Since its inception, LYSOA has benefited from the unwavering support Judge Nechtem has offered in the furtherance of LYSOA’s goals,” DiGregorio said. “That is why she is being presented with the Above & Beyond Award this year.”
The black-tie event drew more than 125 guests, including Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Lynn Chief of Police Christopher Reddy and Essex County Judge Cesar Archilla.
LYSOA co-founder Antonio Gutierrez said this gala was the largest the organization has held in its 12-year history.
“Our first-annual gala was in 2017 and we had to wait until 2022 to have another one because of COVID-19,” Gutierrez said. “It is great to have everyone here tonight to celebrate LYSOA and Justice Nechtem’s advocacy for our mission.”
In addition to the award ceremony, LYSOA held an auction and raffle to raise funds for the organization.
Lynn City Councilor Rick Starbard helped to run the raffle and offered gift cards, spa gift bags and lottery tickets to those who had a winning number. Starbard serves as one of the organization’s board members and is a sponsor of the event.
Founded in 2011, LYSOA’s mission is to create and conduct outreach activities by encouraging involvement in community development, assisting in job searches, providing case management for its clients and families, and providing street-outreach advocacy for youth in the juvenile-court system.
LYSOA members also attend court hearings and job interviews with their participants every week to show their support and advocate for their willingness to change their path in life.
“We work together with public safety and the courts,” DiGregorio said. “We have several programs that help kids find direction or seek parental guidance, which is what a lot of them need.”
Jessica Rosario, a youth-outreach worker for the organization, estimated that 75-80 youths joined LYSOA in 2022.
On average, 80-100 youths are part of the LYSOA program, she said.
“There was a bit of a drop-off due to COVID-19, but that’s starting to rise back to pre-pandemic levels,” Rosario said. “We are growing as a group and as an organization, and it is great to have this gala tonight celebrating us and Justice Netchem.”
