Lauren Li and Evan Li, two Newton high school students, are putting CPR certification in the hands of their peers for free on Sunday, August 2, at the Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands.

The siblings' Newton Youth Lifesavers Initiative, run through their 501(c)(3) nonprofit Heart for Care, is hosting what appears to be the city's first free youth CPR certification event. The four-hour training runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at 90 Lincoln St. and is already fully booked.

American Heart Association certified instructors are leading the hands-on session, which covers CPR and AED use for adults, children, and infants, choking rescue for all age groups, and emergency response basics. No prior experience is required. Students who complete the training receive an official AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED eCard.

The event was first listed in the Newton Beacon's weekend roundup. According to the organization's website, the initiative grew out of "a conversation in a health class" and involved coordination with AHA instructors, local businesses, and city administrators.

The Li siblings founded Heart for Care in February 2025. The program describes itself as entirely student-led, with a long-term goal of certifying as many Newton students as possible each year until CPR-readiness becomes the norm across the city's schools.

The day's schedule includes check-in at 12:45 p.m., an opening orientation at 1 p.m., hands-on training from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and a recognition ceremony from 4:30 to 5 p.m. where participants receive a certificate and a commemorative t-shirt.

Spots filled fast.

Local sponsors include Walnut Dental Group, Wegmans, Boston Embrace Orthodontics, and Thistle & Leek, a Michelin-recognized restaurant. The Hyde Community Center is a five-minute walk from the MBTA Green Line D Newton Highlands station, with free parking available behind the building on Lincoln Street.

While the August 2 event is full, the organization says it plans to hold training annually. Residents can visit newtonyouthlifesavers.org for updates on future sessions and to support the program through donations.