As the school year comes to an end, the Green Team is wrapping up its final month of programming by implementing a few end-of-year projects. GT is spending as much time as they can outdoors, something we all have missed during this last year. The past couple of weeks they have been helping GWL's Greening the Gateway Cities tree program by distributing flyers, supporting in-person interviews at our Urban Farm at Costello Park for the summer GT, and will be spending most Tuesdays for the rest of the year at the farm. In addition, the GT is preparing their end-of-the-year showcase, which is a chance for the youth to show off all of their accomplishments throughout the year!
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Planting a Tree to Celebrate Arbor Day |
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In conclusion of GWL’s Earth Month, we celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree at the corner of Market Street and Foster Street. The tree, a beautiful American Elm, completes our Market Street Canopy Street Project, joining 28 trees that now line the street providing shade, energy savings, and beauty to residents and businesses alike, including abutters Haffner’s, Century Box Company, M. O’Mahoney’s Masonry, and Jackson Lumber & Millwork who have committed to taking care of the trees. Thank you, Lisa Torrisi (Jackson Lumber & Millwork), Nancy Alexander (Haffner’s), and Mayor Vasquez for joining us and to the Arbor Day Foundation, TD Bank Group, the City of Lawrence, and DCR's Greening the Gateway Cities Program for their generous support.
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Thank You Women's Fund of Essex County! |
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We are pleased to announce that GWL has been awarded a grant from the Women’s Fund of Essex County. With this funding, GWL will continue to serve women and girls in the Greater Lawrence community that are experiencing disproportionate impacts of COVID-19. This grant supports GWL’s ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity by expanding outreach and accessibility of the fresh, local produce sold at our weekly farmer's markets. With help from our partners, the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA and Esperanza Academy, we will increase healthy food access for women and girls in our community.
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Lawrence Receives Honorary Degree! |
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Joining over 800 Merrimack College graduates of 2021, GWL was honored to receive an Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree presented by MC President Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D. during the college’s 71st Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 13, 2021. GWL has long collaborated with Merrimack College and acknowledges the numerous ways in which the college makes a difference not only in the lives of its students but also in the lives of the community. As GWL works changing places, changing lives, and changing systems, it was moving, during the ceremony, to hear Vincent Skelton '20, M'21 Commencement Address Student Speaker express the commitment of both organizations so beautifully when he addressed his classmates, saying: “… I learned early on that giving up was not an option. But if you open your mind and your heart, you can and will find a path to your dreams.”
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Congratulations to the Other Recipients: |
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Alfred J. Arcidi, the current Chairman of the Board of Merrimack College and Senior Vice President of Whittier Health Network was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Public Health Degree |
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William P. Leahy, S.J., a current member of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus and President of Boston College was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Public Health Degree |
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Daniel Rivera, the current President and CEO of MassDevelopment and former Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Public Administration Degree |
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Bread & Rosses, Inc., received an honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree during the Class of 2020 graduation. |
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Vivien Morris, founder and current chairperson of the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Public Health Degree during the Class of 2020 graduation. |
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Renovating Rowell and Stockton Parks
Join us at a Public Meeting and Have Your Voice Be Heard!
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Rowell Park is one of the oldest parks in the city and one of many parks in Lawrence named after veterans, in this instance, Frank Rowell. The park is known for its two big, old Little Leaf Lindens at its center, both over 100 years old, and recently GWL has planted new trees at the park as part of our Green Streets project. Looking to renovate this lovely, popular green space nestled in a heavily built area of the city, we held a successful public meeting in early April, partnering with both the City and longtime community partner Lawrence CommunityWorks (LCW) NeighborCircles. On May 20th, we had our second public meeting where we reviewed preliminary design concepts that emerged from the first public meeting's stimulating discussion. A third and final public meeting will be held in June before construction plans are set. And don’t worry, the vintage Little Leaf Lindens will be preserved throughout the project.
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With our open space work (and all our programming), COVID-19 can’t stop us! Looking for input about Stockton Park renovations, we had a successful virtual public meeting, also in collaboration with LCWs NeighborCircles. In our next meeting, we are set to meet Tomorrow, May 27th on-site and in person! We will also be joined by City Councilor President Marc Laplante. The park lies at one of the prominent gateways to Lawrence at a busy, heavily trafficked intersection. Currently, with a fountain at its center that is no longer functioning (and that will not be part of the renovation), the park is an opportunity to beautify this point of entry while designing for safely situated recreational activities. Interested in attending? Complete this brief form or contact Eddie at erosa@groundworklawrence.org.
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Secretary Keneally Announces MOBD Grant Ward |
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Lawrence welcomed MA’s Housing and Economic Development Secretary Michael Keneally as he announced the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) grant award to the Lawrence Partnership. The Partnership is collaborating with Groundwork, CommonWealth Kitchen, the Merrimack Business Support Coalition, Mass Development, and ECCF to provide the needed guidance and tools so that businesses can leverage the technologies available to grow and sustain their operations. As GWL ED Heather McMann recognized: "These funds will enable us to move beyond financially supporting restaurants to ensure they survive the pandemic to providing consulting services to see that they are stronger after COVID-19." Thank you, Secretary Mike Keneally, State Senator Barry Finegold, State Representative Frank Moran, and State Representative Christina Minicucci for joining us and for your support!
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Congratulations Sharon Mason |
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Please join us in congratulating one of our very own! Sharon Mason, GWL Development Director, has been honored as one of the remarkable women within the YMCA Northeastern Massachusetts service area. Every year, the YMCA hosts their Tribute to Women event to recognize women that define true leadership within our communities. We are proud to see Sharon recognized alongside the other recipients as she has been a strong pillar to our organization and the communities we serve.
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Jonathan Guzman, Public Affairs Coordinator, was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to Lawrence, MA in 2010. He graduated in 2014 from Lawrence High School and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Biology with a minor in Political Science from Fitchburg State University. Serving the community is one of his passions, and, since founding a Humanitarian Club in 2012 or now as a Lawrence School Committee elected official, he has been involved as a volunteer, member, or director for many non-profit efforts...Read More
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Hannah Muhlfender, Program Manager, joined the GWL team as an intern with the Forest Foundation in 2019, working first in Community Engagement and then later as a Green Team Leader. She is excited to be returning and will be leading the Green Team and facilitating hands-on educational experiences in Lawrence. Hannah graduated from Brandeis in 2020, where she majored in Environmental Studies... Read More
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Green Team Leaders
Urban Adventures Counselors
Development Manager
Development Associate
Digital Communications Coordinator
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