April 2020
The month of April finds all of Groundwork Lawrence working to both meet our mission and respond to the unusual circumstances brought on by the Coronavirus Pandemic. We are excited to share with you some of the ways we are collaborating with each other and our community to get the job done.
Community Response
Heather McMann, Executive Director
Lesly Melendez, Deputy Director
As this crisis began to unfold, Groundwork Lawrence and our partners activated a network of government, business, and non-profit partners to aid in the response throughout the Greater Lawrence area. Over the past few weeks, over 100 community leaders and organizations took part in weekly calls to address the issues facing residents. This large group has broken up into smaller working groups, focused on Community Outreach, Youth & Education, Family Support & Mental Health, Financial Counseling & Housing Stability, Food Access, Small Business, Homelessness & Shelters, and Organizational Stability. As this situation unfolds, we will all work together to ensure every resident is included in solutions. If your organization or group can help in any part of this response, reach out to the working group leaders, who are listed on the We Are Lawrence website.
Community Engagement
Eddie Rosa, Community Engagement Director
Working with the community is at the center of everything we do, and as such we are actively seeking new ways to include that community in all of our work. Unfortunately, many of our volunteer activities had to be cancelled, including Groundwork Lawrence/Comcast Cares Day in May. We are, however, actively planning for when we can again welcome groups to help with growing at Costello Urban Farm and to other sites for cleanup and stewardship. In the meantime, w e are committed to engaging you, our community every day - whether it's promoting outdoor or stewardship activities on social media or facilitating virtual meetings.
Fresh Food Access
Maria Natera, Healthy Living Program Manager
As we adjust our lives to this new situation, some things remain the same - including that people still need access to fresh, healthy food. Because we cannot run our farmers markets as we normally would, we have launched Groundwork Lawrence's “virtual” markets , where customers order and pay for a pre-selected variety of fruits and vegetables before picking up at The Center. We continue to accept SNAP, and eligible customers are encouraged to take advantage of the Healthy Incentives Program at these markets. More information is available on our website . In partnership with Farmer Dave’s, we are still offering the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). You can learn more and sign up for the spring or the summer share here. The CSA pickup now takes place in the parking lot outside of our office building at 50 Island Street to ensure safety of customers and employees.
Costello Urban Farm
Tom Paulson, Project Manager
Agriculture is time sensitive, especially in the Northeast, so the Costello Urban Farm is moving ahead on schedule while taking into account all necessary precautions. Seeds for future crops have been started and thanks to staff members from Greater Lawrence Technical School are being well cared for. Although spring is beginning, we still need to be cautious about frost for approximately two more weeks, so these starter crops are being protected for now in a greenhouse. The good news is this means that when it's safe to congregate in groups again, everything at the farm will be ready for volunteer opportunities to help us ensure a successful growing season.
Youth Programs: Education & Green Team
Matt Morin, Education and Training Manager
Vallary Ross & Yevette Garcia, Program Coordinators
Anna Babbin, FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Member
Just like most schools across the state, our education has gone virtual! Students and families can access lessons and activities right on our website . We have activities for all ages and all abilities, and they can all be done with materials you’ll find in your own home. The lessons, which incorporate sustainability, healthy food recipes, or some type of STEM, will ensure kids continue to learn while out of school.

Our school year Green Team is now working from home as they continue to develop their crow project. It has been an exciting year for them as they investigate the awe-inspiring roosting behavior of the crow , and the work will not stop now. Check out their latest blog post to read more about what the GWL Green Team has been up to.
Green Streets
Tennis Lily & Eric Lundquist, Project Managers
Usually during this time, our Green Streets team would be out canvassing and door knocking, talking with residents who may want a free tree. However, with social distancing in place, our crew is instead out solo scouting public places where we can plant our trees this spring. Despite not being able to knock on your door, we are still taking orders for trees online and over the phone. If you live in Lawrence or Haverhill, check out this page to see if you live in a tree planting zone and to submit your name for a free tree!
Open Space Improvements
Brad Buschur, Project Director
Construction moves ahead at O'Connell South Common and O'Neill park, as all our contractors follow guidelines in the Governor's emergency order regarding construction activities. At O'Connell South Common, seeding of the athletic field will begin this week, and by mid-May work should be complete on the basketball court, shade structure, and multi-sport court. At O'Neill, soil for the soccer field is being put in, and seeding of the field should begin in two weeks. This project has been moving along quickly thanks to the warm winter weather. We look forward to someday soon when we can all be together in these newly renovated parks.
Thank You to our Funders
Sharon Mason, Development Director
Abdiel Perez, Finance Director
Kaileigh Mallin, Development Manager
As we adjust some of our work to focus on COVID-19, our funders have stepped up to support GWL and the Greater Lawrence community. We are thankful for the generous support from so many, including the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, Essex County Community Foundation, New Balance Foundation, Comcast, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Garth Family Foundation, Groundwork USA, and Mass Development, who have all shown a commitment to helping Lawrence respond to this crisis. You, too, can support GWL's COVID-19 relief efforts. Donate today to help us ensure that fresh food access, education, and equity in public health continue throughout this period. W ith your support, we're working to make sure that our financial resources stay strong to support our programming, our staff, and our community.
Policy Advocacy
Ian Burns, Public Affairs Coordinator
Most of our policy priorities in the state legislature are currently on hold, however our work in policy has shifted to advocate for equity in the COVID-19 response. We are working with the MA Public Health Association as part of the Emergency Task Force on Coronavirus and Equity . This task force developed four initial recommendations for the state legislature, including passing emergency paid sick time, ensuring safe access to quarantine, enacting a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, and ensuring access to testing and treatment for immigrants. GWL continues to be in contact with legislators representing Lawrence, and we appreciate their continued support.
COVID-19 Resources
Sabrina Boggio, Communications Coordinator
With the situation constantly changing and new information coming out on a daily basis, we have centralized all information for Lawrence residents on the We Are/Somos Lawrence website . You can check out this page for information from the city, donation requests, food resources, activities and resources for families, information on unemployment, and much more. You can also follow We Are Lawrence on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
Help ensure a complete count in Lawrence and across Massachusetts - don't forget to fill out your 2020 census! More information here .