To Help you Grow and Glow

To Help you Grow and Glow

About Us

At Glow in the Dark Lowell (GTDL), we are committed to embracing the unique strengths of individuals with special needs to help build inclusive and empowered communities. Our work is guided by a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone is valued and respected. We foster a spirit of generosity, compassion, and continuous growth, dedicated to preventing harm, advancing justice, and creating spaces where all individuals and families can thrive together.

Our Founding Story

Zeb Khan, Founder and Executive Director of GTDL, embarked on this journey inspired by her personal experience as a parent of children with special needs. Her passion for creating inclusive spaces where children with special needs and their families can thrive grew from the challenges she faced while seeking support for her children. Zeb often spoke about the lack of a safe space where parents could come together to share their stories, seek help, and feel understood within the community. This desire to create a supportive environment became the driving force behind Glow in the Dark Lowell, fostering a community where families can connect, share resources, and support one another.

Natasha Howell

My name is Natasha Howell,I am a 47 year old mother of 4 wonderful children.I have an Autistic niece and an Autistic nephew, which further sparked my interest and passion to learn and help children with behaviors and disabilities. I have been working with children in need of behavioral support for over 8 years in various settings (in home, schools, camps) , I have worked in education for over 15 years, in various classroom settings (PDD, Behavioral, Language based, moderate/severe, and general education) supporting students and teachers in both elementary and middle school. For the past 3 years I have been working full-time for Newton Public schools as a Social emotional interventionist supporting an entire elementary school and part time I am still doing in-home as an RBT supporting families with non-verbal children with autism and severe behaviors. Working with children and families with children with special needs and behaviors is something that I am very passionate about. I understand that behavior is a form of communication. In order to change the undesired behavior we need to understand the reason behind the behavior. I believe that all behavior is learned and if it can be learned, it can be changed.

Dawn Grenier

I am passionate about leveraging my expertise to amplify the voices of experts within our communities. With over 20 years of experience in writing for nonprofits and professional services, I specialize in institutional fundraising for human services, including youth programs and housing initiatives. My work often involves coaching on-staff grant professionals, particularly those working with supervisors who may lack extensive grant experience.

Before founding Dawn Grenier Consulting in 2019, I gained extensive experience in various nonprofit staff roles. This background has equipped me with a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.

Zed Khan

I am a dedicated educator, grant writer, and community advocate with over a decade of experience supporting underserved populations in Lowell, MA. With a Master’s in Education Administration and Human Resource Management, I bring a wealth of expertise in educational programming, resource development, and nonprofit management. My advocacy for families with special needs is deeply personal. As a parent of children with developmental disabilities, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges of finding support and resources. This journey has fueled my passion for helping families and creating spaces where children with special needs can thrive. As Executive Director and co-founder of Glow in the Dark Lowell, I play a key role in organizing inclusive events like back-to-school backpack giveaways, sensory-friendly Halloween celebrations, holiday events, community-building activities, and educational programs. These initiatives foster a sense of belonging and support within the community, especially for families facing similar challenges. Beyond my work at Glow in the Dark Lowell, I have collaborated extensively with multiple nonprofit organizations, focusing on grant writing, family engagement, and advocacy for marginalized communities. Since 2020, I have also been the founder and administrator of Buy Nothing Lowell, a Facebook group that demonstrates my commitment to public service, fostering connections, and creating opportunities for all. I am deeply passionate about helping families navigate the complexities of raising children with special needs, and my dedication to this cause is unwavering.