About
A meeting of the minds is a powerful phenomenon that can create change in the most powerful way.
EAP was born out of the passion of four moms, whose elementary-age children, the majority being daughters, were involved in sports. The team witnessed firsthand the transformative role that sports played in their children's lives - igniting joy, bolstering confidence and self-esteem, fostering skills, instilling a sense of purpose during this pivotal stage of development.
Driven by the belief that every young person, regardless of their circumstance, should have access and opportunities to experience the tremendous benefits of sports, the EAP team set out to raise funding, gather equipment and engage community support to make this a reality. The journey started with a bake sale and small equipment drive.
Ten years later, EAP has served and impacted over 6,300 local youth from under resourced communities in the Merrimack Valley, with its primary focus being in Lawrence, MA. Funding has been allocated for equipment, uniforms, sports fees, transportation, camps/clinics, as well as local, regional and national showcase events. The team has dedicated its efforts to partner with local sports organizations, schools, coaches and other groups to break down the barriers that prevent youth from participating in sports and providing high quality opportunities and programming that will set them up for success on the playing fields, courts, classrooms and in life!
"We are firm believers that sports and active play serve as gateways to enhanced physical and mental well-being, while fostering invaluable skill development. They empower young people, propelling them towards a path of flourishing and achievement. Our commitment lies in guaranteeing that every youth interested in sports and physical activity shall have the opportunity to participate in them and reap all the incredible benefits they offer.” The EAP Team
EAP strongly believe sports and active play can serve as powerful catalysts for change, impacting every facet of a young persons life.
Engaging in consistent sports and activities improve physical and mental health and well being, helps prevent obesity and chronic disease, fosters resilience, and enhances cognitive abilities, leading to improved academic achievement. It creates inclusive environments, fostering teamwork and communication skills while leveling socioeconomic barriers. The long-term impact of sports sets the stage for lifelong health, leadership development, and a brighter future. Sports and active play truly have the remarkable ability to transform lives, providing young individuals with the tools they need to thrive and succeed in all aspects of their lives.
And the stats don’t lie….
The World Health Organization states that physical activity through play helps prevent childhood obesity, which affects over 340 million children and adolescents worldwide.
The Journal of School Health reports students who participate in regular physical activity, including play, are more likely to have higher grades and standardized test scores.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that play is essential for children's healthy brain development. It promotes executive function skills, including problem-solving, decision-making, and cognitive flexibility.
Research published in the Journal of Applied School Psychology found that play-based physical education programs contribute to positive social development, including improved peer relations, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.
According to a study in the journal Early Childhood Research Quarterly, playful learning experiences support early literacy, numeracy, and language development in young children.
EAP mission is to unlock the extraordinary potential within every youth in Lawrence and beyond. We are committed to partnering with individuals and organizations who serve the youth of the community and invest in high quality sports, physical activity and youth development programs that consistently support the physical, emotional and social well-being of young people and create positive environments where they can grow, thrive and succeed.
Our Players
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Michelle is the Executive Director of Everyone’s A Player (EAP). In her role, Michelle works directly with sports programs, schools, community and partner organizations and agencies to create healthy and active programming and equitable opportunities for youth to experience the tremendous benefits of sports and physical activity.
Michelle has spent many years as a girls soccer coach and more recently served 8 years as assistant tennis coach for the Lawrence High girls tennis team. Michelle understands the important role sports play in the physical and mental well being of youth and particu-larly for girls. Michelle partnered to form the Lawrence Sports Leadership Academy, a high quality multi- sport camp for Lawrence youth as well as the Lawrence Sports Alli-ance, with Beyond Soccer. She also co-founded Serving Stars with Spark Fitness & Tennis, launching the first formalized youth tennis program for Lawrence youth, which serves as a chapter of the USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning Network. Michelle is also an active member of the Lawrence Mayors Health Task Force and Coalitions for Sport Equity, advocating for the importance of equitable access for youth to sports and physical activity programming. Michelle is extremely committed to providing active and youth development opportunities for young people to thrive, grow and achieve their full potential. Michelle is co-founder of EAP and is a big believer in the power of sports to change a persons life. She played many sports growing up and played Soccer at Bab-son College. She is an avid practitioner of yoga and loves to play tennis and hike.
Co-Founder
Janine is a Senior Investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor and has worked for the Federal Government for over 30 years. Janine is dedicated to protecting the retirement and health benefits of employees. Janine is passionate about justice and has a strong interest in Juve-nile law and has served as an educational advocate. Janine is co-founder of EAP and cares deeply about helping kids and providing the necessary support and resources for them to live healthy and active lives. She believes all children should have access to quality programming, regardless of their circumstance, and is committed to helping make that happen. Janine loves working out, cycling on her Peloton and par-ticipating in exercises classes. Janine is also one of the biggest sports fans, especially college basketball. She recognizes the important role sports and physical activity can play in shaping and impacting a young person’s life.
Co-Founder
Nancy is a seasoned and compassionate licensed mental health professional with over 25 years of experience working with both adults and children. Nancy’s extensive experi-ence has equipped her with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health. She strongly believes that fostering a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, exercise, practicing mindfulness and self care can significantly contribute to achieving mental wellness and personal growth.
Nancy is a co-founder of EAP and is passionate about making a positive impact on peo-ples lives. She has seen first hand the impact physical activity can have on a young per-sons life, helping them to achieve balance, reduce stress and improve overall emotional resilience. Nancy is a true advocate for holistic well being and is a life long athlete - par-ticipating in road races, practicing yoga and meditation, and living a healthy active life.
Co-Founder
Tracy is a Criminal Defense Attorney in Essex County, MA and a strong advocate for ju-venile defense. Tracy is a panel member serving on the Committee for Public Counsel Services for District and Juvenile Court. Tracy has an unwavering commitment to pro-tecting the rights of her clients and a particular interest in safeguarding the rights and well being of young individuals in the criminal justice system. In her work, she recogniz-es the unique challenges faced by young individuals in the criminal justice system and also sees the transformative power positive role models can play in significantly impact-ing the trajectory of a young person’s life. Tracy actively works towards providing youth with the necessary support systems to help them overcome adversity, make positive choices, and build a brighter future.
Tracy is a co-founder of EAP and extremely committed to ensuring all youth have access and equal opportunities to supportive, healthy, high quality programs that will positively impact their lives. Tracy loves to exercise, hike and be physically active and strongly be-lieves in the connection between consistent movement and strong mental health.
Team Photographer
C. Bryan Thomas is an incredibly talented Boston based sports photographer, videogra-pher and film maker, who aims to capture the power and essence of sports through his lens. Bryan served as baseball commission for South Lawrence East Baseball in Law-rence for over 10 years and has a deep appreciation for the transformative power of sports. Bryan has a genuine love for the people and stories behind the sports. He under-stands that sports are more than just the activities—they represent dreams, aspirations, and defining moments in individuals' lives. As a photographer and videographer, Bryan recognized the importance of capturing these important moments and highlighting the talent, skill and spirit of the athletes, coaches and the enthusiasm of the fans at an event, giving you a true picture of the sports experience. EAP is incredibly blessed to have Bryan as part of the team. Bryan is dedicated to highlighting the incredible stories and achievements of Lawrence and other local athletes - capturing their true essence like no other - recognizing the impact these moments could have in shaping an athlete’s journey.
Mission
EAP mission is to unlock the extraordinary potential within every youth in Lawrence and beyond. We are committed to partnering with individuals and organizations who serve the youth of the community and invest in high quality sports, physical activity and youth development programs that consistently support the physical, emotional and social well-being of young people and create positive environments where they can grow, thrive and succeed.
Play Matters
EAP strongly believe sports and active play can serve as powerful catalysts for change, impacting every facet of a young persons life.
Engaging in consistent sports and activities improve physical and mental health and well being, helps prevent obesity and chronic disease, fosters resilience, and enhances cognitive abilities, leading to improved academic achievement. It creates inclusive environments, fostering teamwork and communication skills while leveling socioeconomic barriers. The long-term impact of sports sets the stage for lifelong health, leadership development, and a brighter future. Sports and active play truly have the remarkable ability to transform lives, providing young individuals with the tools they need to thrive and succeed in all aspects of their lives.
Partnering to break down barriers and level the playing for local youth to participate in sports and physical activity.
Connecting over 6,300 local youth to positive, active and healthy programming.
Awarded over 285 EAP All Star Scholarship's to youth and teams within the community