January 2024

“Give light, and people will find the way.”

- Ella Baker 

Groundwork Lawrence started with a dream and a study. In 1998, the US National Park Service, the Trust for Public Land, the City of Lawrence, Lawrence Into Action, and Merrimack College Urban Institute, with the help of Groundwork England, worked together to bring a Groundwork trust to Lawrence. The goals outlined in the original study included creating and solidifying community partnerships, increasing awareness, advocacy, and action around environmental issues, and improving the health and wellness of residents in the city. In 1999, all the hard work, research, and vision materialized, and Groundwork Lawrence was born.

25 years later, and we are still GWL strong. We are proud of our 25-year legacy and the positive impact our work has had on the community. Through our Green Streets initiative, we have planted thousands of trees, revitalized brownfields into thriving green spaces like Nunzio DiMarca Park (previously known as the Ferrous site), we created new playground equipment at Bourgoin and Gagnon parks, helped turn the Buckley Garage into a work of public art, removed thousands of pounds of waste during our Spicket River and Earth Day cleanups, supported farmers and the local economy with our Farmer’s Markets, and mentored hundreds of youth leaders, seeing our Green Team grow from single digits to an astounding 50 high school students this year.

As we continued to grow within our community, we created lasting relationships and partnerships that put the residents of Lawrence first. When crisis struck Lawrence in 2018 during the Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions, and then again in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, GWL stepped up and worked alongside the city, local organizations, and first responders to assist with crisis management, deploying our resources to aid those affected and help coordinate shelter services for those impacted by these crises. In 2020, we launched a restaurant program as a response to restaurant closures during the pandemic that provided free meals and resources to community members while supporting locally-owned restaurants and small businesses also impacted by the global crisis.

And all along the way, we found moments for joy and levity. We celebrated and elevated the voices of artists and youth at our annual Glow Gala. We laughed and smiled as we made and flew kites at the KITE/S.A.L.S.A Festival, and we cheered as we welcomed new staff members to our team, including our first Urban Agriculture Manager, Food Security Coordinator, Workforce Development Manager, and the anticipated arrival of a new Development Director. In addition, this spring we will begin our strategic planning process to help us look ahead and plan GWL’s next 3-5 years.

Suffice it to say, we talk the talk and walk the walk! Join us this year as we celebrate 25 years of GWL. We’ll be highlighting all the remarkable places, people, spaces and systems we have impacted. Follow our 25 year journey on Facebook and Instagram.

Groundwork Lawrence recently celebrated the retirement of Development Director, Sharon Mason. Sharon has a history of changing places, changing lives, and changing systems—with over 20 years of development and organizational management experience. Sharon quickly became an integral part of our development team, joining GWL in 2018 as the Development Director. Playing an important role in building relationships with funders, donors, and community members, Sharon helped share and promote the Groundwork Lawrence story. Sharon’s love of language and writing conveyed our organization’s mission in ways that resonated with our community. During her tenure, GWL secured funding to continue our cooking classes, farmer’s markets, tree planting, paying our youth reasonable wages, and so much more! We are thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Sharon, and for her many contributions over the years, especially her contributions and leadership on our annual Glow Gala each November. In 2021, Sharon was recognized by the YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts for her leadership and outstanding dedication to her work at Groundwork Lawrence. 

Development Manager, Megan Davis adds, “I was impressed by her knowledge of the development world and struck by her friendliness and warmth. I have learned a lot about writing and crafting compelling prose while working with Sharon. Beyond her commitment to her work, Sharon always cared deeply about relationships with her team and coworkers ensuring that their work and contributions were recognized. When she announced that she would be retiring at the end of 2023, I briefly considered locking her in her office, but decided that if anyone deserves some time off for new pursuits and downtime–it’s Sharon!” 

Please join us in wishing Sharon a well deserved and happy retirement. As Sharon always says, “It’s not goodbye, but see you later."

New Year, New Opportunities To Get Involved!

As the new year approaches, we have great events scheduled for 2024! Mark your calendar and check out our events page for more information.

Healthy Eats In 2024:

Check Out Our Farmer’s Market & Upcoming Cooking Classes!

Winter Farmer’s Market 

Our farmers market is a staple all year round, and with the weather changing you can expect to see new additions to the available fruits and veggies with wonderful seasonal produce like sweet potatoes, apples, broccoli, and squash to name a yummy few. Our 2023-2024 winter market season began on November 11th and will be held twice a month until May 25th. You can find our winter market in the lobby of the same building as our office -50 Island Street, Entrance B.

We Accept / Aceptamos  

Cash, Debit, Credit, EBT/SNAP/Food Stamps, HIP, WIC, Senior Coupons, and Groundwork Lawrence coupons.

Want to Learn How to Cook This Year?

Sign up for FREE Cooking Classes!

Have you ever wanted to cook a healthy, low-cost meal but didn’t know where to start? Wanted to prepare your favorite meal and use healthier ingredients? Grabbed broccoli or apples at our winter farmers market and don’t know what to do with them? Then check out our free cooking classes this spring with Healthy Living Programs Manager, Maria Natera! 

Here you’ll learn how to prep and cook fresh ingredients while learning budgeting and portioning. Participants will also walk away with farmers market coupons, a tote bag, and starting ingredients to make the recipes they've learned. 

Classes are open to Lawrence residents, are free, and will run once a week starting in March 2024. There are only 15 spots available so reach out to Maria for more information!  

Changing Systems:

Highlighting “The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” 

Our feature "Changing Systems" piloted one year ago this month. Over the course of 2023 we featured a variety of resources from novels and stories to films and short clips. “Changing Systems” is a chance to learn more about the social justice issues impacting our community while also learning about activists and change agents both past and present who are working to change inequitable systems.  

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 15th we wanted to highlight a champion of civil rights who worked alongside Dr. King in the fight for racial equality–Ella Baker. Baker, referred to as “The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” was a grassroots activist and organizer whose career spanned over 50 years of service and activism. Learn more about Ella Baker and her contributions to the civil rights movement by checking out this quick video or by reading one of this month’s featured resources.

Check out these books and more at your local public library, purchase them from your favorite bookstore, or from our community partner and local Lawrence bookstore, El Taller Cafe & Bookstore. 

If you would like more resources, please reach out to Dariana for more information, or find us on Instagram and share your favorite reads! 

www.groundworklawrence.org