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Press Release: Groundwork Lawrence Hosts Bank of America for Check Presentation

On Wednesday, August 2, Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) hosted the Lawrence branch of Bank of America (BOA) at the GWL Farmers Market located on Lawrence’s Campagnone Common for a check presentation and tour. GWL staff members and youth were proud to accept a $15,000 check from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support healthy food access programs. BOA employees enjoyed walking through the market and visiting with GWL Green Team high school summer employees, farm and craft vendors and food tastings prepared by UMass Extension. Bank staff were also greeted by middle school aged youth participating in GWL’s Urban Adventures summer program and learned about finding and harvesting edible plants.
 

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation advances economic mobility by addressing issues related to workforce development and education, community development, and basic needs. The Foundation has supported GWL’s healthy food initiatives since 2007 and GWL is grateful to have their continued support this year. Alicia Verity, of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation says, “Groundwork Lawrence and Bank of America have partnered for many years to address the basic needs of the Lawrence community through their healthy food access programs, and ultimately, helping to set families and individuals on the pathways to economic mobility. We are proud to partner with them and look forward to continuing this crucial work together.”

MA Attorney General Visits Lawrence!

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On Tuesday, July 19th, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey visited Lawrence to meet the youth whose summer positions are funded by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) Healthy Summer Youth Jobs grant program. AG Healey was joined by local and state delegation and Mayor Daniel Rivera in her visit to congratulate the youth. This is Green Team's second year participating in the AGO's Healthy Summer Youth Jobs program, and were thrilled to meet with her and discuss their experiences in Lawrence working as a part of the Groundwork Lawrence team.

A huge thank you goes to the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club for hosting this event and the Attorney General's Office for funding such an important program. We look forward to inviting the Attorney General back to Lawrence to work one on one with Green Team in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer 2017 Garden Workshop Series Starting Soon!

The garden workshop series is back and better than ever! This summer, Groundwork Lawrence is offering three FREE workshops for aspiring gardeners. Generously supported by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Groundwork Lawrence invites both beginners and experts to learn how to grow healthy, fresh food in their own backyard! Topics covered in the series include: How to Start a GardenStarting Seeds, and Soil & Compost, and all are free!

Green Team Visits Eagle Eye Institute

On Saturday, November 5th, the Green Team traveled out to Eagle Eye Institute in Peru, Massachusetts. Green Team walked a mile to what seemed like an ordinary work site. Then, they were separated into two groups, one which was building a shelter while the others were building a bench; all while using the materials around them. In the shelter group, they used fallen trees and branches.

Groundwork Voices From Yellowstone: Juana Lopez

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The hike up Yellowstone’s Specimen Ridge from the Crystal Creek trailhead is challenging for even experienced hikers. The steep sandy slope makes the journey difficult, but the coveted views of petrified trees against the backdrop of a deep, wide valley filled with bison are definitely worth the arduous trek. Carrying tools and heavy metal signs to guide tourists away from eroded social trails certainly adds to the challenge, as does digging post holes into the rocky outcrop, but one worker seems to move at twice the pace of others. At 4’10”, Juana Lopez, 16, remains a dynamo of energy the whole work day, scrambling around others as the call goes out for “pick-mattocks” or “shovelers!”

Urban Adventures 2016

Here are some snapshots from this summer's Urban Adventures!

 

Untitled design (4).jpgUrban Adventures students investigate waste in their community and what local businesses and organizations are doing to address it. At Kachel Motor Company, an auto shop, students get a close look at a machine that grinds down scrap metal, which will later be melted and recycled (lower left). 

 

At Market Basket, Leo Lopez, manager and former Boys & Girls Club member gives students a special behind-the-scenes tour and explains how the store collects all organic waste to be picked up by a pig farm (lower right).

 

Staff from The Clean River Project take the kids out for a spin on the Merrimack River (hosted by Greater Lawrence Community Boating). The Clean River Project has found several cars and even an old safe! (there was no money inside, unfortunately).

 

UAC Presentation on August 11, 2016

UAC Community Day Flyer.jpg We are pleased to announce that Groundwork Lawrence's (GWL’s) Urban Archaeology Corps (UAC) in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is having a presentation of their research to several city officials, NPS and GWL employees, and the mayor on Thursday, August 11, 2016 from 10:00am to 11:00am in the Campagnone Common (North Common).