Green Team Launches Exciting Speaker Series |
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To further their understanding of the impacts of social and economic inequity, the Green Team has been exploring the phenomena of redlining (the discriminatory practice of putting services such as housing, financial access, etc. out of reach for residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity) throughout the United States and its long-term impact on affordable housing, commercial development and climate change in low-income communities like Lawrence. Local community partners who diligently work to respond to this practice as well as to housing discrimination, urbanization, and climate change have been speaking to the Green Team youth, sharing what work is being done to combat this perpetration of inequity. Featured speakers (via Zoom) included Jess Andors and Juan Bonilla of Lawrence CommunityWorks, and Vilma Martinez-Dominguez, Community Development Director for the City of Lawrence, as well as Groundwork staff from Lawrence, Rhode Island, and Hudson Valley (NY) working directly on these issues.
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City of Lawrence + GWL = Expanded Restaurant Program |
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The successful launch of the innovative restaurant program l ast spring made inroads in offering economic support to local businesses while helping individuals and families deal with heightened food insecurity brought on by COVID-19. As such, it has been recognized as a program to be adopted by other communities and to be expanded to continue to support Lawrence as the pandemic continues to impact the health and well being of the community. In an extraordinary show of confidence, concern, and commitment, the City of Lawrence is partnering with GWL with a $1,000,000 contract to support Lawrence's restaurants and increase both our food access partners to distribute the meals and the amount of food available for residents. We will work with Health and Human Services, Economic Development and Inspectional Services and other City departments to implement the program. As of this week, applications are being accepted from restaurants interested in participating in the project. For more information, contact the City's Economic Development Office at business@cityoflawrence.com
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What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has made the phrase "we are all in this together" one that celebrates our resiliency and is truly meaningful and important. With a focus on dispelling misinformation and getting accurate and useful information about the vaccine out to the community, we are working with our partners, the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Partnership and Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) and their doctors to embark on a campaign of sharing information about the vaccine and banish myths. Using social media posts informed by GLFHC doctors and having them featured in video interviews in both English and Spanish helps increase relatability while getting good information out to the community. As the vaccine rolls out, we are working with El Mundo for radio ads and airing television ads on Telemundo. While the vaccine is not yet widely available (for up-to-date information on availability, click here), the goal is to create the momentum and willingness to be vaccinated when the opportunity arises so more residents are comfortable getting the vaccination and ultimately we will, together, achieve a healthy COVID safe community.
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Achieving Spatial Justice |
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Groundwork is building on its Climate Safe Neighborhoods mapping initiative to launch discussions about spatial justice. Groundwork sees spatial justice as being rooted in the organization’s work of restoring Lawrence’s environment. We believe injustice is apparent in the distribution of parks, urban tree canopy, and healthy water. This winter, Green Team is exploring themes of spatial justice through place based learning and will extend this exploration to the broader community in the summer. They will be investigating the public drinking water supply in Lawrence and throughout the state, sanitation engineering efforts along the Spicket River in the 1890s and the subsequent issues of flooding along the Spicket in the 20th century, and the idea of Green Gentrification. Critical to this exploration, Green Team youth will work to understand spatial justice by examining their own story. They will then draw on historic graphic media to create digital collage artwork to be projected at Warehouse Square as part of Iluminación Lawrence.
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Forest Foundation Supporting Lawrence Non-Profit Internships |
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Our valued partner, the Forest Foundation supports a robust internship program with non-profits in the greater Boston area. GWL is fortunate to have hosted several Forest Foundation interns over the last few years. The application process for this summer long, paid position has begun, and applications are being accepted through February 15. The Foundation is very interested in supporting internships with Lawrence non-profits and is looking for a committed pool of college aged local interns. If you or someone you know may be interested, please check out more information at www.ffinterns.org.
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Heller School of Brandeis Bestows Honor |
It is with a fair degree of pride that we share that executive director Heather McMann is a recipient of the Florence G. Heller Alumni Award. Nominated and interviewed by Brian Kibler, former staff member and current student at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Heather spoke about what Groundwork means to her and shared her passion for working towards a more equitable community. The award is given to Heller School graduates living a life that exemplifies the mission and vision of the school and honors the legacy of the school's namesake, Florence G. Heller. Heather was one of 15 awardees; all recipients have produced positive and impactful change through the rigor, creativity, and innovation of their work. See the full interview and related videos and join with us in extending Heather a heartfelt congratulations. Strong leaders make for strong organizations, strong partners, and strong communities.
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As the year begins anew, filled with opportunity, we have to wish best beginnings to two of our staff who are headed off to conquer new horizons! Ian Burns, who has served as Groundwork's Public Affairs Coordinator first as a Graduate Fellow from Merrimack College and then as a fulltime staff member since 2018, has joined the staff of Merrimack Valley Planning Commission as their Targeted Economic Development Specialist. Sabrina Boggio joined Groundwork Lawrence in 2019 as our Communications Coordinator, supporting digital communications for GWL and We Are/Somos Lawrence. She is now serving as Communications Director for Mayor Kendrys Vasquez. We will miss them and their meaningful contribution to our work and wish them both the best of luck in their new adventures
With their departure, GWL is looking to fill their positions. If you or someone you know may be interested, please take a moment to look at the job descriptions for Digital Communications Coordinator and Public Affairs Coordinator or visit our website for more information.
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On January 20, 2021 there was a (surprisingly) peaceful transition of power as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States. On the steps of the very building where, just two weeks earlier, there had been violence, there was now hope. Hope that the new administration would actively address the problems, new and old, facing the nation. And the hope that seeing a woman of biracial heritage, a woman of color, a woman, as vice president of the country brings. The hope that the words of the youngest poet laureate of the US, Amanda Gorman, expressed so beautifully. Hope for change. Hope for health. Hope for equality. Hope for tomorrow.
Hope is not limited to the steps of the Capitol. To grand celebrations. To larger than life moments. Hope lives within us, and fuels our desire and energy to change ourselves and our world for the better. Hope lives in the thoughts, hearts, and minds of all of us. Hope that was expressed so beautifully by our 2020-21 school-year Green Team member, Helen. As she, a budding poet laureate herself, expressed in her spoken word piece: "Tomorrow, mother earth will breathe easy again."
Photo Credit: PATRICK SEMANSKY • ASSOCIATED PRESS
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