50 Lynn families were brought together for the “Family Day with SkillUSA” event Saturday at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.

“The main mission is to give out a sense of hope and a sense of healing. I think in the past few months there’s been sort of a wave of hostility within our city and I think our main goal is to try and attack that from the root, which is within our homes,” said Anthony Gonzalez said, 18, SkillsUSA chapter president and a Tech TV and media senior, highlighting what the day symbolizes. “The goal of the event is to help families create a healthy environment within their homes,

The activities all had a purpose and meaning, Gonzalez said, which was to create bonds and memorable moments. 

Some of the activities included baking, sanding, staining, and painting a coffee table created by SkillsUSA carpentry students. There was also a family photo shoot taken by T.V. and media students, and a myriad of other activities where families worked together to promote that family bond. 

The events were “all of those things that seem small but in reality they’re really meaningful,” Gonzalez said. 

He said carpentry students created coffee tables because they imagine the coffee table as the central hub of where the family gathers for activities. There was also a family obstacle course.

The 50 families were identified by leaders from schools throughout the City of Lynn and through promotion via social media.

Gonzalez said when families are given the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities, it builds the trust and love they have for one another.

This project was made possible by donations from local businesses, non profits and individual sponsorships as well as fundraising done by the SkillsUSA chapter.

SkillsUSA is a national organization that is focused on closing the skills gap, Gonzalez said. It is geared towards skilled trades. SkillsUSA at Lynn Tech is a student-led partnership of education and industry that’s building a skilled workforce. The program’s adviser at Tech is Jason McCuish, English language arts department head, who kicked off the day-long event that provided families the opportunity to gather together and participate in family-centric activities. 

Gonzalez discussed the importance of the program.  

“It gives them the skills that you would need to do well in the real world,” Gonzalez said. “It’s also about those soft skills that you need to succeed when you get out of high school or college or trade school.”

Through SkillsUSA, students can compete at state and national levels to showcase the skills that they have learned. 

“It’s also just a good program that teaches you the values of what it means to give back to your city or your school,” Gonzalez said.  “It has definitely taught me a lot of what I know now, it’s a great way for students to feel prepared.”