May 2020
A Double Win: Supporting Local Businesses and Ensuring Food Access
In a new partnership with MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative and the City of Lawrence, GWL has been contracting with eight downtown Lawrence restaurants to purchase 1,600 meals a week to be donated to the Lawrence YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, and Bread and Roses. This food is then distributed to local residents in need, expanding access to food during this time.
The restaurants — Blue Lounge Restaurant , Café Azteca , Coco’s Café & Catering , El Taller Café & Bookstore , Grumpy G , Lu’s Café & Bakery , Tu Kasa , and Vaka Restaurant — are all part of the fabric of our community. Each of these minority-owned businesses were closed before this program began, but with these funds they have now been able to hire back 1/3 of their workforce.
The program is off to a resounding successful start, however we do not have enough funds to continue this work in the coming weeks. You can help — just $10 buys a hot meal for someone in need and supports our local restaurants. Donate today and select "Covid-19 Food Access Relief".
Meals from Coco's Café are ready for delivery
Staff from Lu's Café and Bakery prepare meals
Delivering food to the Lawrence YMCA
Filling the Relief Gap
United Way, in partnership with the City of Lawrence, Groundwork Lawrence, ACT Lawrence, The Center, Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, and Lawrence CommunityWorks, has established the One Lawrence Fund to help those impacted by COVID-19. The pandemic has created economic hardship, but has also called forth our spirit of resilience and mutual aid. The One Lawrence Fund will mobilize resources to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families impacted by the Coronavirus, particularly those who do not qualify for other resources. 100% of contributions to the fund will be donated to the five nonprofit organization partners who will distribute it directly to the families who need it most. Help support this critical relief effort, donate today .
Youth Programs: Preparing for the Summer
As spring brings us warmer weather, we continue to plan our summer programming while factoring in all state guidelines. Last week we held our Green Team group interviews, meeting virtually instead of in person. This group interview process allows us to see how the candidates work collaboratively and enables us to select a group of students who will work well together throughout the summer. While we start selecting our Green Team Members, we are still accepting applications for Green Team Leaders and Urban Adventures Counselors . Apply today and make the most of your summer!
Green Streets Presents: Tree Talk
Introducing Tree Talk with the Tree Guys! In our newest video series, our project managers Tennis Lilly and Eric Lundquist talk all things trees every Tuesday at 2:00. Check out these videos on our social media for tips on tree care, fun facts about area trees, and ways to identify different types of trees when you're out on a nature walk. Be sure to follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram to see the new video each week. And don't forget, you may be eligible for a free tree of your own! If you live in Lawrence or Haverhill, check out this page to see if you live in a tree planting zone and to submit your name for a free tree!
Congratulations Sabrina and Andreina!
Please join us in congratulating two of our very own who are being recognized in the YWCA's annual Tribute to Women! GWL Board Member Andreina Viera and Sabrina Boggio, our Communications Coordinator, are both being honored for their work and impact on the Greater Lawrence Community. The event will be live online this year on June 23rd at 6:00.
Sabrina Boggio, GWL's Communications Coordinator and Founder of Progress Clothing
Andreina Viera, member of GWL's Board of Directors and Founder & CEO of The Vieras
Park Improvement Work Continues
Design of the new athletic fields at South Common
Over the past month, we've made lots of progress at our project sites. At O'Connell South Common, the grass on the athletic fields has begun to sprout, allowing it to be in use by next year. Work on the Mt. Vernon playground continues, and we hope kids and families will be able to enjoy the new equipment when it is complete and social distancing has been lifted. At the Tombarello site, the contractor will begin work shortly to remove contaminated soil in preparation for the future development of the site. The project recently received additional funds for this work from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Virtual Farmers Market a Success
We are still running our farmers market - virtually! Get your fresh fruits and veggies direct from Farmer Dave's or Riverdale Farm - choose from 4 different pre-selected packages of produce, order ahead, and pick up at The Center. Check out our website for ordering information and pickup dates and times.
Choose from:
A) $40: 1.5lbs Carrots, 5lbs Red Onions, 1lb Beans, 5lbs White Potatoes, 1.5lbs Beets, 1 Cabbage, 2.5lbs Squash
B) $40: 2lbs Carrots, 5lbs White Onions, 5lbs White Potatoes, 2lbs Beets, 1lb Squash, 5lbs Apples
C) $60: 2lbs Carrots, 3.5lbs Red Onions, 10lbs White Potatoes, 2lbs Beets, 1 Cabbage, 2lbs Squash, 5lbs Apples
D) $60: 1 Large Cabbage, 12lbs Potatoes, 12lbs Red and White onions, 5lbs Apples, 1lb beans
We Are Lawrence: One Stop Shopping for COVID-19 Resources
Don't forget that we have centralized all COVID-19 information for Lawrence residents on the We Are/Somos Lawrence website . You can check out this page for information from the city, donation requests, food resources, activities and resources for families, information on unemployment, and more. If you'd like to learn more about or join the non-profit working groups, you can click here . You can also follow We Are Lawrence on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram to stay up to date as the situation changes day to day. Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
Complete the Census and Be Counted!
Help ensure a complete count in Lawrence and across Massachusetts - don't forget to fill out your 2020 census! As of May 16, an estimated 62% of the state’s population had responded to the census. The City of Lawrence, however, was even lower and, at 46%, had the second worst response rate in the state. We can change this if you fill out your census today! 
More information here .