Our Evolution...building on the past to respond to the needs of today... In 1992, Lawrence Family Development, Inc. (LFD) received its first grant from Shawmut Bank. With a foundation to build on, LFD continues to develop and operate programs of the highest quality to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Lawrence. Lessons learned from the Career Center and AmeriCorps project and the urgent need to offer an education/ workplace program for seriously at‐risk youth led to the creation of YouthBuild‐Lawrence. Now, in its twenty‐fourth cycle, YouthBuild‐Lawrence continues to prepare young adults to earn their HiSET, gain job readiness skills, develop self‐confidence and feel ownership in their community through building homes for low‐income Lawrence families. The success of YouthBuild‐Lawrence laid the foundation for LFD to manage the City’s Safe and Successful Youth Initiative grant program and launch the SISU Youth Development program. Building on the Adult Leadership Development Program and the Parent Mobilization Project (PMP), LFD launched the Citizenship for New Americans’ Program with support from the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (MIRA) and the Boston Foundation. Volunteer facilitators from the PMP became citizenship and ESL educators and assisted hundreds of immigrants to attain United States citizenship. In 2006 the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center opened as the permanent home for LFD’s adult education programs and continues to provide programming and support to the community of 1st generation Lawrencians. , 2nd and 3rd Through the PMP, the need for culturally‐appropriate and high quality public education in Lawrence rose to the forefront of the issues that Lawrence Family Development began to address. In the mid‐1990’s with the support of LFD’s Board, a group of committed educators and engaged parents submitted an application to open one of Massachusetts’ original fourteen public charter schools. Since its inception, the Lawrence Family Development Charter School has operated as an independent Massachusetts Public School District and is an example of the power of community engagement. Inaugural Meeting of Lawrence Family Development and Education Fund, Inc. as a 501(c)3 Lawrence Family Development Charter School opens as one of Massachusetts first 14 charter schools 1995 1993 YouthBuildLawrence Opens LFD, INC FY’2017‐2018 ANNUAL REPORT LFDEF, Inc. receives funding from state to start Citizenship program, helping hundreds of immigrants attain US. Citizenship PAGE 2 2007 LFD, Inc. establishes PFK Scholarship Funds
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