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Welcome to Our Revamped Newsletter!
We’re excited to share a fresh new look and structure for our newsletter—designed to keep you better informed, connected, and engaged with our work and impact. Each edition will highlight key updates, stories, and opportunities aligned with our three core pillars: Community Engagement, Educational Attainment, and Workforce Development.
Executive Director’s Corner
A message from our Interim Executive Director sharing insights, reflections, and updates on our mission, progress, and vision for the future.
Community Engagement
In this section, you’ll find updates on how we’re strengthening connections across our community. Highlights include:
Educational Attainment
Here, we focus on advancing learning and academic success. This section features:
Workforce Development
Explore how we’re supporting career pathways and economic mobility. This section includes:
New Fundraising Campaign
We’re proud to introduce our latest fundraising campaign! Learn how you can support our mission and help expand the impact of our programs across all three pillars.
Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support. Together, we’re building stronger pathways to opportunity. Enjoy your Lawrence Partnership newsletter!
| | Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús | | |
Stepping into my first month as Interim Executive Director of the Lawrence Partnership has been nothing short of invigorating. Every conversation, every site visit, every spark of collaboration has reaffirmed why this work matters—and why Lawrence is poised for extraordinary growth. In alignment with my role as Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations at Northern Essex Community College, I am energized by the opportunity to help drive a shared vision: creating inclusive economic opportunities through Innovation, Action, and Investment.
Our path forward is anchored in three powerful pillars that shape the future we’re building together:
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Community Engagement — because economic mobility accelerates when the entire community is activated, connected, and leading the way. This is the heartbeat of the Lawrence Partnership Network: an ever growing ecosystem of partners committed to lifting the city together.
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Workforce Development — because strong employer partnerships and career pathways open doors to stability, advancement, and generational change.
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Educational Attainment — because a skilled, educated populace is the engine of a thriving economy, ready to meet the demands of today’s jobs and shape the opportunities of tomorrow.
These pillars are not just strategies, they are a movement. And that movement grows stronger every time someone steps in, speaks up, or joins hands with us.
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Dave Wheeler
COO of New Balance
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A Moment You Won’t Want to Miss: Annual Meeting on June 16
This year’s Annual Meeting will be a celebration of progress, partnership, and possibility. We are honored to welcome Dave Wheeler, COO of New Balance as our keynote speaker—a leader whose story reflects the power of innovation, investment, and community‑rooted growth. It will be an inspiring moment for Lawrence, and we want you there.
This is your call to action:
Your engagement is not just appreciated—it is essential. Together, we are building a Lawrence where opportunity is accessible, mobility is achievable, and innovation is the norm.
Lawrence is rising. And with your partnership, we will continue to push boundaries, ignite ideas, and invest boldly in the future our community deserves.
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Annual Meeting Location Announced
The Lawrence Partnership extends its sincere thanks to Central Catholic High School for graciously hosting our 2026 Annual Meeting. We are deeply grateful for the school’s hospitality and support in bringing together leaders, partners, and community members to reflect on our progress and look ahead to the future of Lawrence.
Central Catholic’s commitment to community engagement helped make this gathering a meaningful and successful event.
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Now Accepting Nominations: Student Recognition Award
The Lawrence Partnership is proud to recognize outstanding high school and college students who live or study in Lawrence! Do you know a student who is making a difference in their school or community? Nominate them for our Student Recognition Award, to be presented at our Annual Meeting on June 16th.
Nominations are open now through May 1, 2026.
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Big things are happening inside the LP Network and it’s all because of our members. We’re launching LPN Member Spotlight, a new newsletter feature where we highlight the leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are shaping Lawrence. Through quick interviews, you’ll get to know the faces, stories, and passion behind our growing network.
Not a member yet? Join the Lawrence Partnership Network.
Your spotlight could be next!
| | Introducing: LPN Member Spotlight | | | |
Rubirosa (Ruby) Balborda
Executive Vice President of Sales
Ruby Balborda leads sales and growth strategy at Silverio Insurance Group, supporting the agency’s expansion and long-term success. With over 10 years in the insurance industry, he specializes in commercial and personal lines, risk management, and client education. His career includes leadership roles at Zwicker & Associates, Foster Sullivan (Acrisure), and USI Insurance Services.
A committed community leader, Ruby serves on the Merrimack Valley YMCA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, is Treasurer of the Lawrence Partnership Network Committee, and leads workshops for residents and small business owners. He is married, a father of four, and committed to community impact.
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The Lawrence Partnership Board Approves the Educational Attainment Task Force Strategic Plan
The Lawrence Partnership Board has approved the Educational Attainment Task Force (EATF) Strategic Plan, a community-driven framework to increase college attainment across Lawrence. The plan spans 2026-2027 and is organized around three pipelines: Youth, 4-Year, and Workforce Mobility.
Key priorities include:
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Access & Belonging — expanding FAFSA/MASFA completion and deepening support for students and families.
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Education to Career — strengthening Early College pathways
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Workforce & Economic Growth — creating noncredit-to-credit pathways, apprenticeships, and workforce re-entry programs.
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Building Momentum — establishing a funding consortium and pursuing grants with philanthropic and employer partners.
Implementation begins immediately, with the College Family Series, Middle School Pipeline, FAFSA Week, and Early College retention programs among the first initiatives launching this spring.
"The approval of this plan reflects our community's collective commitment to building real pathways to prosperity for Lawrence residents."
| | | Discover career and educational opportunities in the fields of human services and education | | |
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CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA & VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LAWRENCE PARTNERSHIP
lawrencepartnership.org
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