Our History… Raising Scholarships for Today’s Students and Endowing Scholarships for the Future In 2007, one of the three original founders of LFDEF, Inc. and LFDCS, Patricia F. Karl, retired as Executive Director/Superintendent. To honor her work and commitment to the LFDEF, Inc./LFDCS community, the board, with a plan to raise one million dollars over ten years, established the PFK Endowment Scholarship Fund, which is a restricted fund held by Essex County Community Foundation and the PFK Direct Scholarship Fund for our current graduating class. These funds ensure that promising graduates have the necessary financial assistance to meet the tuition gap between parent contribution and financial awards of secondary schools. Every year, with the support of the PFK Direct Scholarship Fund, LFDCS graduates attend some of New England’s most prestigious and rigorous secondary schools. The PFK Scholarship Funds are supported through the generosity of LFDEF, Inc. /LFDCS patrons through individual donations, an annual holiday card campaign and at our annual fundraiser. Providing the Places and Spaces where our Programs are “Strengthening Families and Building Community through Education” Today, facility assets of LFDEF, Inc. are valued at $12.5 million, which is a testimony to the commitment and leadership of the board and administration. This outcome ensures stabile, safe, welcoming structures that foster LFDEF, Inc.’s mission and revitalizes its neighborhoods. Over the past two decades, LFDEF, Inc.’s board has supported new construction at the Charter School’s Lower School site at 34 West Street and a seven million dollar purchase and rebuild of the former St. Anne’s School and convent at 400 and 404 Haverhill Street. Opening in 2006, 400‐404 Haverhill Street houses the Upper Charter School (grades 5‐8) and the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center for adult education classes. In the fall of 2014, LFDEF Inc. was asked to take over management of the Massachusetts Safe and Successful Youth Initiative program and the Lawrence Youth Team in the City of Lawrence. Through its work with Lawrence’s proven risk young men, the Lawrence Youth Team has helped LFDEF, Inc. move closer to our goal of establishing comprehensive Alternative Youth Development Programs. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, Lawrence Family Development Charter School (LFDCS) earned Level 1 public school status for its MCAS scores, has grown to become a strong performing school district, and builds on its success today with the Academy of Early Academic Preparation for K‐1, K‐2 and Grade 1 at 10 Railroad Street. In 2014, Lawrence Family Development and Education Fund, Inc. became an approved Preferred Provider/Turnaround Operator for Massachusetts underperforming school districts in need of targeted assistance, and in September 2014 executed a three‐year contract with the Lawrence Public Schools (LPS) to open the Lawrence Family Public Academy as a demonstration project to provide LPS targeted assistance with teacher preparation, academic skills, language acquisition and social advancement for four and five years. LFDEF, INC FY’2014‐2015 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 3
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