Maricelis Ortiz Named CEO of YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts

Maricelis Ortiz has been named CEO of YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts, succeeding longtime leader Susan Staples after her 21-year tenure. A 28-year veteran of the organization and its first Latina CEO, Ortiz said she is excited to continue advancing the YWCA’s mission of supporting women, families, and community programs across Essex County and the Merrimack Valley. She is also an active member of the Lawrence Partnership Network.

Lawrence Expands Access to High-Quality Preschool

Lawrence is one of 30 districts receiving new support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to expand affordable preschool. With $1 million in funding, the city can open more preschool seats, helping children get a strong start and giving working families more options.

Lawrence Public Schools Launches 35 Electric Buses with Public-Private Partnership

Lawrence Public Schools, in partnership with NRT Bus Inc., Zenobē, and several public and private organizations, celebrated the deployment of 35 new electric school buses - 25 full-size buses supported by the EPA and 10 minibuses funded through MassCEC and MassDEP initiatives.

Based in Methuen and serving the 13,000-student district, these zero-emission buses are expected to cut over 1.35 million pounds of carbon emissions annually. A new charging site, powered by National Grid and Liberty Utilities, will support the fleet, marking a major step toward cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable student transportation.

Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

"Join NECC for a vibrant cultural celebration as we honor Hispanic heritage and raise awareness! The event is open to NECC students, faculty, staff, and the community. Don't miss this vibrant celebration!"

Wednesday, October 15, 4-7pm

NECC Lawrence - Dimitry Atrium

Empowering Business Growth through Certification & Marketing

"Join us for an inspiring evening with keynote speaker Josiane Martinez, Founder & CEO of Archipelago Strategies Group. Learn how the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) certification and purposeful marketing can boost visibility, open doors to contracts, and fuel real business growth."

Wednesday, October 15, 6-8pm

Japu Restaurant

Groundwork Lawrence's Call for Eco Art

"Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) proudly invites artists and community members to join us for our annual Glow Gala on November 20th, where we will showcase a special collection of Eco-Art. Each year, we honor the power of sustainable practices in art through our Eco-Art auction. Eco-Art incorporates one or more of the 4 Rs of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Repair. We're calling on artists of all ages and mediums to creatively interpret these principles in their work. We would be honored to showcase your piece at Glow Gala 2025!"

DEADLINE: Friday, October 24

MassInc's Gateway Cities Innovation Summit

"The Summit will feature timely conversations on the structural challenges facing Gateway Cities and the policy solutions driving transformation on the ground. 

We’ll also release new findings from the 2025 Gateway Cities Housing Monitor, offering critical insight into how communities are navigating the housing crisis with data-informed strategies. This year’s convening builds on the momentum of last week’s Gateway Cities Leadership Summit, which energized local leaders to think strategically about the road ahead."

Tuesday, October 28

Lowell Memorial Auditorium

Completion with Purpose - Ensuring Value Added Credentials Lead to Family-Sustaining Wages

This session will explore how colleges are using data to align programs with in-demand careers, track alumni outcomes, and partner with employers to boost economic mobility and community impact. Northern Essex Community College President Dr. Lane Glenn will share how his institution is helping students graduate into strong, sustainable career pathways.

Wednesday, November 5

3-4pm EST, Virtual

Merrimack Valley YMCA Annual Meeting

"Join us for an evening of celebration and community building as we honor the impact and efforts of your YMCA in the Merrimack Valley. This annual meeting is a time to come together, reflect on the past year, and recognize the positive changes we’ve made as a community. It’s a celebration of everyone who has contributed to making a difference, and we look forward to acknowledging all that we’ve accomplished together."

Wednesday, November 12, 6-9pm

Merrimack Valley Golf Club