Alternative Youth Programs FY’18 was an exciting year for Lawrence Family Development. In August, we began contracting to provide social‐emotional supports to a group of Lawrence High School students and in October, we opened the SISU Youth Center. With support from some of our generous funders, we were able to pilot several new projects and expand our outreach and programming with young people in the City. Some of our highlights include… SISU Youth Center After two and one‐half years of construction, LFD, Inc. opened the SISU Youth Center in October, and hosted 150 community partners for a grand opening event in January. Services provided by the Center include: socialemotional supports, access to individual and group‐based mental and behavioral health services, alternative education, workforce development and subsidized employment, street outreach, strengths‐based case management, food service and pro‐social recreation. SWAG Through the support of the Lawrence Police Department and the Massachusetts Department of Probation, LFD launched the SISU Women’s Advocacy Group (SWAG) program in July of 2017. SWAG adapts a full array of SISU services to address the specific needs of the most proven risk young women in Lawrence. Targeted Gang Outreach In partnership with the Lawrence Mayor’s Office, SISU was able to expand targeted outreach and community engagement with high‐risk young people in the City. SISU hosted 5 neighborhood pop‐up parties in targeted hot spot parks throughout the City providing food, music, games and raffles for community members. The week before each party, SISU’s landscaping team would work with Lawrence DPW to clean and landscape the park. Alan grew up in a single parent home in the center of the City of Lawrence where gang activity is almost unbearable. He became part of a local gang early in his adolescence. “Raised by men in the gang” by the age of 19, his involvement with criminal activity led to multiple arrests and stints in DYS facilities. While in DYS custody, Alan received his high school diploma and was connected with the SISU Street Outreach Team. Although he was still heavily involved in the gang, he yearned for change and dreamed of going to college. However, like most of the young people that make their way to the SISU Center, Alan considered college to be more like a dream than a reality. 16% weapons-related incidents involving juveniles during the summer of 2017. LFD, INC FY’2017‐2018 ANNUAL REPORT When he was released from DYS custody, the SISU Outreach Team brought Alan to the SISU Center. Despite a challenging transition from lock up to the community, Alan has put his faith into the SISU process and is working to make his dreams a reality. Since his release, Alan has completed the GIFT program, is involved with the SISU Workforce Development program, is applying for jobs as a peer mentor and hopes to pursue a degree in social work. PAGE 5
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