׉?ׁB!בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://r8XayN2NMGXSv9PiLYCuqvOB6mp6yYpV_-SbgujLv0U}`׉ 7cassandra://P5iSYtQ-qiNVNr3zdn-ZD45KQeh2jAWrk_B0SJFZosUK`s׉ 7cassandra://sqW96QY-vpCr1Dar-caHHle1YmZ4_9doAcdxlD1JLak`׉ 7cassandra://z-5P_OgUhWm0QE33U3cply_FKwGFCqFC57embVE4Xnc͠]]}C#bט(u׈.|׈E]}C#b׉ELAWRENCE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, INC. d/b/a Lawrence Pr spera Strengthening individuals & families . . . Developing thriving neighborhoods. . . FY’2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT ׉ 7cassandra://sqW96QY-vpCr1Dar-caHHle1YmZ4_9doAcdxlD1JLak`]}C#bુ]}C#bઁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://DKnhrPjQ4YP18-LJQbfCzx6KEG8WWFF_MWf8lNevpGA`׉ 7cassandra://ikuwKVcQ7_lY0U-1-Yqkyra5cpZEY5vN6iwekAO4QTk(`s׉ 7cassandra://TJYp5G5Nxeg9mDVIMP_7_1KyXlT6LzldmSf2fardfjE5`׉ 7cassandra://seUoP9NiJIGr_MYKViAMgttIqWZ_Ht_BDCadxsUAiqUͳ͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://SY8Lgd9hwOlhZHXktw6kNpco7EUr5s0NAeWfodhXvFoNl`׉ 7cassandra://wsCMYC9a51UZ5HzU2gGiwqNM9q5gL8MkWNSS3tzzzrMc`s׉ 7cassandra://34xhCLeSeRooey_HIzkn9SfUVwyrIK9nGJKSGIIDH8s#`׉ 7cassandra://E0TO0z2gsch1wF3jqaenmufzs-k6oJcRkgEDSmE9ZZ0͠]]}C#bđנ]}C#bƁ9ׁHhttp://www.lawrenceprospera.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E+BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER CLERK Gregory Spurr Lorie Mendoza Andrew McDonald Ana Medina FY’2018-2019 DIRECTORS Nazario Esquea Marisol Hilario Mona Igram Walkiria Manzueta Dan Matlack Frank Moran Jr. Marta Rentas Aradis Bonilla Sanchez Wendy Taylor Henry Vargas ׉ 7cassandra://TJYp5G5Nxeg9mDVIMP_7_1KyXlT6LzldmSf2fardfjE5`]}C#b׉E From the Chair On behalf of the Board of Directors, administration, staff, participants and families that are served through all of Lawrence Family Development, Inc. d/b/a Lawrence Prospera’s programs, we present this Annual Report which covers July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. This FY’19 Annual Report reflects our unwavering commitment to our mission: Strengthening the individuals and families of Lawrence through the Development of Thriving Neighborhoods. Our major strategic accomplishments this year included:  Launching the organization’s new website and URL at www.lawrenceprospera.org—I strongly urge you to visit the site to learn more about the great work of this organization  Continuing the work on the SISU Youth Center and opening the SISU Recreation Room and Barbershop  Continuing the buildout of the SISU Training Kitchen, which will provide meal service for up to 150 young people each day as well as culinary arts training as part of the YouthBuild-Lawrence program  Launching a financial literacy program at the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants  Creating a partnership with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) through a grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to increase Citizenship programming in Lawrence at both the Quintana Center and Casa Dominicana  Strengthening staff relationships and morale by launching the first annual Lawrence Prospera Staff Appreciation Day  Initiating a series of leadership trainings for Lawrence Prospera’s administrative team In FY’19, we also lost one of our greatest advocates, Patricia Foley Karl. Patricia showed an unwavering commitment to the children and families of Lawrence during her tenure as Executive Director/ Superintendent as well as in her retirement—we will miss Patricia dearly. We hope that this 2018-2019 Annual Report reflects our commitment to continuing to meet the needs of Lawrence through the mission of Lawrence Prospera and prompts readers and the Board of Directors to share my satisfaction for the future of Lawrence Prospera and its impact on the community. In addition to the individual program goals and accomplishments, Lawrence Prospera continues to move forward with our Strategic Plan with goals of professionalism and excellence in all aspects of the organization by being a community-focused, non-profit service agency. Sincerely, Gregory Spurr, President Lawrence Prospera ׉ 7cassandra://34xhCLeSeRooey_HIzkn9SfUVwyrIK9nGJKSGIIDH8s#`]}C#bୁ]}C#bଁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://VieL7g_ZWa9Z5CuVHVEvuYnvU0nPR5S1fY6u328K90M`׉ 7cassandra://MXUmr_FkmRdmwKdPV4sjKCs7YQQGtekjBu9-HL42BkE@`s׉ 7cassandra://6zO7MHm8LFX7bVUXIfngHaG4nCYukexf7GOLdOAKwqE`׉ 7cassandra://hMHlrJaExu8cv_dnJdQQh_xW1OM7rpCTap4HODAl6Kwr<͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://OD5OexY2HPW94HoY6lLnvvscWvAjb3Ic1tn1m9QPvFUi`׉ 7cassandra://icEO4h0Q4A8y3qq9zxSH-4SnMl3zoAGab_7rTWocpuw\I`s׉ 7cassandra://_K6o2NNFTbtEqH2tZL9hiYhACVv0oNBp13BDbv4nxLI!`׉ 7cassandra://5ORocz5I0yHRMGQSgE_reNB4MW7qd0wkKVeS22OosTk^8͠]]}C#b׉ELawrence Prospera would like to remember one of the original members of the Lawrence Youth Commission and a foundress of Lawrence Family Development, Inc. dba Lawrence Prospera. Patricia Foley Karl MARCH 25, 1943—NOVEMBER 28, 2018 ׉ 7cassandra://6zO7MHm8LFX7bVUXIfngHaG4nCYukexf7GOLdOAKwqE`]}C#b׉E}Executive Director/Superintendent Lawrence Family Development, Inc. & Lawrence Family Development Charter School 1992—2007 ׉ 7cassandra://_K6o2NNFTbtEqH2tZL9hiYhACVv0oNBp13BDbv4nxLI!`]}C#bு]}C#b஁(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://hgpxIdBERxPvvHjUabFsnl49eP1vb5bt_2MeOTYBWIU`׉ 7cassandra://q1uuFiFykv8kAFM_LzQWGwVeuZxF11vWZplq6K3YHvg~`s׉ 7cassandra://xhMQxIg3wNgMdVmLBooeJTsjwK1x6Q4HtmcSbMjHbXY"`׉ 7cassandra://fKiakwuwiwO9JkNDfeTzCJxU5TwuBt0yeSww4BE72usF͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://JtQAqd9uH527rFK1H9_50TXjVRbStf28CBQ_ZRWi3wc:`׉ 7cassandra://gj1fXHIbzxHnLye2O1Yori9tMoZrGrYdG9PZECXjvE8́`s׉ 7cassandra://vnHUMk7HEvJYKvxt3hlVgxcClFnhYvzY27A7kPOr3XY#`׉ 7cassandra://bhX1FkwwClFqwRp_ybCPm2T4OTl4z2Ya27h4WAH6pGQ='͠]]}C#b׉E "Our History… In 1991, with the support of the Anne E. Casey Foundation, the board and administration of the Lawrence Youth Commission (LYC) created the entity, now known as Lawrence Family Development Inc. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, LFD was able to obtain funding to launch several promising pilot projects in community, education and leadership development. Almost 30 years later, the spirit of these projects is still found in Lawrence Family Development, Inc. dba Lawrence Prospera’s programming as well as the work of other non-profits in the City of Lawrence. Some of those projects included… a Career Center offering after-school programs—such as, Proyecto Alcance and Project Reach to reduce the drop-out rate and support high school students’ paths to higher education in addition to providing career awareness information and life skills, academic support and English as a Second Language (ESL). The Career Center also launched City CORE, one of the first five AmeriCorps programs in Massachusetts. These projects provided the roots for today’s LFD, Inc. SISU Youth Programs. an Adult Leadership Development Program (ALDP) helped create a new generation of leaders immersed in the heritage and culture of the City’s immigrant community. The goal of the ALDP was to provide newcomer residents with the skills and confidence to serve as board members on local nonprofit organizations. The ALDP would later provide a foundation for Community In-Roads (formerly known as Jericho Road) and what is known today as LFD, Inc.’s Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center. the Parent Mobilization Project (PMP) hosted workshops led by a core of Latino parents that “asked the right questions.” The PMP recruited and trained hundreds of Latino parents for greater awareness of their rights and responsibilities as new Americans. At kitchen tables and living rooms in almost every neighborhood of Lawrence, trained parents strengthened family life and built community cohesiveness and purpose. This mobilization became the catalyst for the creation of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School and was the foundation for Lawrence Community Works’ Parent Roundtable Project. Parent Mobilization Project launches 1989 Career Center established at Lawrence Public Library 1991 Lawrence Youth Commission applies for Non-Profit Status LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT City Core program becomes one of the first AmeriCorps programs in Massachusetts Inaugural Meeting of Lawrence Family Development and Education Fund, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) 1992 PAGE 1 ׉ 7cassandra://xhMQxIg3wNgMdVmLBooeJTsjwK1x6Q4HtmcSbMjHbXY"`]}C#b׉E BOur Evolution...building on the past to respond to the needs of today... In 1992, Lawrence Family Development, Inc. (LFD) received its first grant from Shawmut Bank. With a foundation to build on, LFD, Inc. continues to develop and operate programs of the highest quality to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Lawrence. Lessons learned from the Career Center and AmeriCorps project and the urgent need to offer an education/ workplace program for seriously at-risk youth led to the creation of YouthBuild-Lawrence. Now, in its twenty-fourth cycle, YouthBuild-Lawrence continues to prepare young adults to earn their HiSET, gain job readiness skills, develop self-confidence and feel ownership in their community through building homes for low-income Lawrence families. The success of YouthBuild-Lawrence laid the foundation for LFD, Inc. to manage the City’s Safe and Successful Youth Initiative grant program and launch the SISU Youth Development program. Building on the Adult Leadership Development Program and the Parent Mobilization Project (PMP), LFD, Inc. launched the Citizenship for New Americans’ Program with support from the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (MIRA) and the Boston Foundation. Volunteer facilitators from the PMP became citizenship and ESL educators and assisted hundreds of immigrants to attain United States citizenship. In 2006 the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center opened as the permanent home for LFD, Inc.’s adult education programs and continues to provide programming and support to the community of 1st , 2nd and 3rd generation Lawrencians. Through the PMP, the need for culturally-appropriate and high-quality public education in Lawrence rose to the forefront of issues for which Lawrence Family Development began to address. In the mid-1990’s, with the support of LFD, Inc.’s Board, a group of committed educators and engaged parents, submitted an application to open one of Massachusetts’ original fourteen public charter schools. Since its inception, the Lawrence Family Development Charter School has operated as an independent Massachusetts Public School District and is an example of the power of community engagement. Lawrence Family Development Charter School opens as one of Massachusetts first 14 charter schools 1995 1993 YouthBuildLawrence Opens LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT LFDEF, Inc. receives funding from state to start Citizenship program, helping hundreds of immigrants attain US. Citizenship 2007 LFD, Inc. establishes PFK Scholarship Funds PAGE 2 Academy for Early Academic Preparation Opens 2012 ׉ 7cassandra://vnHUMk7HEvJYKvxt3hlVgxcClFnhYvzY27A7kPOr3XY#`]}C#bు]}C#bఁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://QacE7pVJXAatfIr5vHGNY91EzLEg1A5a6fZCOwXn0l0[`׉ 7cassandra://1mAQ2Q881qeCF7XE-3FQnnnGacHMM_23iKtHH7n3Sc8͋`s׉ 7cassandra://9ISUu9y2T5LQOrlOBfGckI6MRuagiINxhBCeP6B82Xs&`׉ 7cassandra://B5yfiY9jRupiRPKFVwvMmD22KPBhuvwFXv9M1fRH0g4>͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://NzDf8ck8xdazJCZkBx96Kc45P58NJqRERlX9sbIfPX0T]`׉ 7cassandra://XQX7vKx8GrAWvxPhRhkENF5I1CYrxlLG2atKv8wF6XMu`s׉ 7cassandra://vRtpoYttgSrCXW1xrkW87-tS1rfyiJJ10bAPuUf0EYE(`׉ 7cassandra://uP_Gply6O6x8sBIk90ga7R8RcqbkHxZurE-yQtyqsNop]͠]]}C#b׉E Raising Scholarships for Today’s Students and Endowing Scholarships for the Future In 2007, the LFD, Inc. Board of Directors established the PFK Scholarship Endowment Fund with a plan to raise one million dollars over ten years. Named in honor of the founding Executive Director/Superintendent, Patricia F. Karl, this fund is invested by Essex County Community Foundation and was restricted until we reached the $1,000,000 goal. In FY’18, LFD, Inc. reached the $1M goal! These funds ensure that promising 8th graders are able to attend a private secondary school, if they choose. For the past ten years, PFK scholarship recipients have attended some of New England’s most prestigious and rigorous secondary schools. Providing the Places and Spaces where we are “developing thriving neighborhoods ” Today, facility assets of LFD, Inc. are valued at over $11 million dollars and ensures stabile, safe and welcoming structures that foster LFD, Inc.’s mission and revitalizes its neighborhoods. Over the past two decades, the LFD, Inc. board has supported new construction at 34 West Street and a $7 million dollar purchase and rebuild at 400 and 404 Haverhill Street. In 2015, LFD, Inc. added 10 Railroad Street to our real estate portfolio through a gift from the Fournier Family. In 2016, LFD, Inc. completed the construction and sale of our 10th home on West Street and broke ground on an empty lot on Jackson Street, which will become our 11th single family Lawrence home sold to a low-to-moderate-income, first-time homebuyer. With our wealth of real estate, LFD, Inc. has developed and fostered lasting relationships with community partners. For over 20 years, LFD, Inc. has leased building space and land and provided management services to the Lawrence Family Development Charter School. LFD, Inc. also provides operating space and management services for the Lawrence Early Achievement Partnership (LEAP) program and Casa Dominicana, a small nonprofit dedicated to promoting Dominican culture in Lawrence. In partnership with a local real estate developer and partner, LFD, Inc. completed renovations at 417 Canal Street. Transformed into a state-of-the-art youth development center, 417 Canal Street now houses Lawrence Family Development, Inc. dba Lawrence Prospera’s SISU program and Lawrence High School’s RISE Academy. 2012 LFD , Inc. becomes approved Targeted Assistance Turnaround Operator for Massachusetts 2015 LFD, Inc. begins work on the SISU Center LFD, Inc. asked to take over management of Lawrence Youth Team and SSYI Program LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 LFD, Inc. launches the SISU Alternative Youth program 2017 LFD, Inc. opens the SISU Youth Development Center 2018 LFD, Inc. rebrands as Lawrence Prospera PAGE 3 FY’20 ׉ 7cassandra://9ISUu9y2T5LQOrlOBfGckI6MRuagiINxhBCeP6B82Xs&`]}C#b׉EaFY’19 Programs and Outcomes The four major components of the Lawrence Family Development, Inc. are: SISU Youth Development Program FY’2019 OUTCOMES: Alternative Youth Alternative Youth Programs Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center Development Programs 145 Young Adult Lives Impacted 43 Females 102 Males 66 Active LYT Members 38 SWAG Members 16 YouthBuild Members 25 Students completed High School or their HiSET 93 Members received subsidized employment 9 Members were placed in unsubsidized employment 7 Members were enrolled in vocational training programs Citizenship and ESL Classes for adults FY’2019 OUTCOMES: 480 Classroom slots filled 430 Unique individuals 333 Students completed ESL classes 87% ESL students showing improvement 129 Students participated in Citizenship classes 32 6 Immigrant seeking naturalization assistance New US Citizens Endowment and Direct Scholarships for LFDCS graduates FY’2019 OUTCOMES: PFK Scholarship Funds $121, 234 was raised from the Holiday Card donations, parent fundraising, jeans day and donor donations 54 graduates and alumni from the Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 received scholarships from LFD, Inc. totaling $76,705 $1.78M in scholarships and financial aid was awarded to the Class of 2019 over 4 years RISE Academy/ Lawrence Family Public Academy FY’2019 OUTCOMES: Turnaround Operator For Targeted Assistance 67 students enrolled in K-1 92% K-1 students at or above benchmark 104 students enrolled in K-2 92% LFPA parents attended the K-2 Poetry &Art Show 79 LPS students participated in the RISE Academy LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 4 ׉ 7cassandra://vRtpoYttgSrCXW1xrkW87-tS1rfyiJJ10bAPuUf0EYE(`]}C#bು]}C#bಁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://Tmbdq-HHbSbZwmwxoGwLPvSu2kmsL7-sjAzc_h7MbwIPP`׉ 7cassandra://LgXyxNW3VcHDmmInPY2PKryAP0ZHUiubq8sYkZ9MGkE͂`s׉ 7cassandra://I-B3NgZ1BIYIesNT0jshwLQYO5oudyZ-NepG6Zto2iI'`׉ 7cassandra://xsKm6Vkjp3DTjV3sMtLlQM2yTUtHmojOcLy6npwS1Es\͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://ymaPS-U3BKlTIFTh8UbrRrnFJxuZ8sRDVdD_nqGy8z8%S`׉ 7cassandra://3I19VLp3qXB0Tpr5n3cVW-CS4bWgQBcfdHfwJT6Y0Ws̓`s׉ 7cassandra://1wXqmvLNEp-DOQJ7pR-fvv2OGu8MoNsPo-I8ZMhACJM'`׉ 7cassandra://gnDxuWh1zLqrET3IrpVO4Jk3rErUz0TGMl7hQAokiTA n͠]]}C#b׉E FY’19 was another exciting year at the SISU Center. We continued our relationship with Lawrence Public Schools contracting to provide social-emotional supports to the Lawrence High School RISE Academy. With support from some of our generous funders, we have continued to grow the programming provided to proven- risk young people at the SISU Center. SISU Barbershop Through a grant from the First Church in Wenham, Lawrence Prospera built and furnished a barbershop in the SISU Center. SISU’s Lead Outreach Worker, also a licensed barber, began providing free hair cuts and using the barbershop as an outreach strategy. SISU also hired a licensed cosmetologist and cosmetology trainer to work with the Barbershop and will begin developing a cosmetology training program. SSYI Girls In partnership with the State of Massachusetts and the Lawrence Police Department, the Lawrence Safe and Successful Youth Initiative strategy expanded to include services for proven risk and gang involved young women ages 17 to 24. EARN Program In partnership with the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board and the Department of Labor, SISU launched the EARN (Employment, Advocacy, Re-Entry, Now) program to provide workforce development and social-emotional programming for young people transitioning from incarceration or referred by the courts or law enforcement for diversion-focused programming. Christian learned to be independent at a young age. He was very close with his brother spending nearly every day together, and together they depended on the streets to feed, educate and make money in order to survive. Despite graduating high school, he focused his energy on social activities and engaging in criminal activity. However, when his older brother was shot and paralyzed, he became depressed and withdrawn, isolating himself from his friends and spending time at home helping his family. Not long after the shooting, Christian met an outreach worker from the SISU Center. Despite initial resistance, the persistence of the outreach worker began to outweigh the calling of the streets; and in 2017, Christian joined the Lawrence Youth Team. At the SISU Center, he engaged in case management, mental health and trauma services and job training skills. He cultivated healthy hobbies like music and basketball and developed an interest in electrical work. Using the leadership skills he had learned on the streets, he developed into a positive role model and earned an internship with a local electrician. Impressed by his work ethic, they offered him a permanent position. 34% *Part 1 includes assaults, robberies and homicides LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 5 Of all of his recent accomplishments, Christian is most proud of is his acceptance to UMass Lowell where he will begin classes in the fall. Christian’s success story began with him visiting the SISU Center to play basketball; it evolved into a stable job, acceptance to college and the opportunity for a successful future. ׉ 7cassandra://I-B3NgZ1BIYIesNT0jshwLQYO5oudyZ-NepG6Zto2iI'`]}C#b׉E Elijah is an incredibly bright young man with loads of potential. He was also a student that got left behind in a traditional school setting. While he struggled in middle school, he was quiet enough that no one noticed. By high school he was skipping school regularly and eventually dropped out, spending his days sleeping and playing video games. Before coming to SISU, he bounced around other programs with little success. However, with mounting pressure from his mom, he decided to try YouthBuild. At first, he showed little interest, rarely attended and when he did, he tended to be disengaged. Over time and through the persistence of his teacher, he began to open up. It was little things at first, like casually mentioning he liked a particular artist or voluntarily participating in programs. This progressed to coming in every day, asking for help or talking about his family. Since first starting at SISU, Elijah has made huge strides. He found a part-time job, will be taking his permit exam, has saved up money to buy a car and will be taking his first HiSET exam in October. Every day he comes to SISU ready to reach another goal. Looking towards his future, he is planning to enroll in a two-year nursing program. With a clear mind and solid direction, Elijah is in a position to take a massive leap in his life transitioning from a lost boy into a flourishing young man. Zoe’s life lacked stability from early on. Growing up with a single-mom and constantly being evicted from their apartments, Zoe had a rough time assimilating to new schools and surroundings. At age 13, she was removed from her home in the middle of the night and placed into DCF custody. She felt helpless, lost and angry. During her five years in the system, her anger grew with each of the 13 different foster/group homes she was placed in. With her volatile living situation, Zoe fell behind in school, and with every new placement, it only got worse. Being labeled the bad kid overshadowed her attempts to improve her behavior and academics and she lashed out more. After several run ins with the law, Zoe realized she needed help to steer her life back on track and found her way to the SWAG program at the SISU Center. With support from the SISU team, Zoe went back to high school full time and graduated last spring. She has begun the difficult task of confronting her trauma, specifically, the anger issues that led her down a path of self-destruction. She is now focused on balancing a job and college and is paying out of pocket to attend NECC. Zoe plans to become a juvenile attorney to help young people like herself have more autonomy in their lives. LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 6 ׉ 7cassandra://1wXqmvLNEp-DOQJ7pR-fvv2OGu8MoNsPo-I8ZMhACJM'`]}C#bു]}C#bഁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://5Li8quqkGVkzSu1I3biH7fDyc8oGQ3YaToj0nbZhEwM,`׉ 7cassandra://Sc992DR-N78SIXNVLQCh0l4sF20SGIX-36_AvYyt8nÙ2`s׉ 7cassandra://VWBdpulI9qVgo1hFqRXxThU32yGnQHpxGr73LxnQkaI'`׉ 7cassandra://ouEqv8k29JrZCPTGa1wm0K0uHCkhDEVl2VLVRexBassM͠]]}C#bט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://HhHYaoCdh-ro43n8_v1wzn7V3Y5g2L51Ud6I3YhDbeI`׉ 7cassandra://JphLN87ZZOuM4zi8dSQ0y2qzp42-XncluwCnx7hhxH0̓`s׉ 7cassandra://JBijMOdBnMWMyoRg16odEMZgenN72Qkqqmw3Y8fKSms(P`׉ 7cassandra://-1QqQBvHlAK0EYYzAnxPtuKYtBSPO6KwWl3XpVO3Wow͠]]}C#bٓנ]}C#bՁ̾_9׉H5https://www.newsweek.com/migrants-immigration-1113006Gׁ ׁ rנ]}C#bցJD/9׉H5https://www.newsweek.com/migrants-immigration-1113006Gׁ ׁ rנ]}C#bׁ>J̉/9׉H5https://www.newsweek.com/migrants-immigration-1113006Gׁ ׁ r׉E FY’19 was another great year at the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center. Program Manager, Zulma Liriano has continued to grow programming at the Center and address the needs of both the newcomer community as well as 2nd and 3rd generation families in the City of Lawrence. Financial Literacy for Newcomers Program In partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), the Quintana Center launched a Financial Literacy for Newcomers program. The first of four sessions was launched at the end of FY’19 with great success, and she will work with ORI to continue providing these workshops throughout FY’20. With newcomers coming into the state from a variety of different economic systems, understanding and being able to work with the U.S. and Massachusetts economies is an essential component of the immigrant experience. Urban College Working with Urban College’s Partnerships' Coordinator, the Quintana Center became a satellite campus for the Urban College of Boston. Urban College offers classes in English reading and writing as well as classes in infant and child development 4 days a week and on Saturdays. The partnership between the Quintana Center and Urban College is a positive asset for both organizations: Urban College is able to expand their outreach in the City of Lawrence by providing diploma track classes for the Spanish speaking community in the Merrimack Valley; and Lawrence Prospera is able to provide higher education options for Quintana Center students. BIA Accreditation During FY’19, the Quintana Center Program Manager, Zulma Liriano completed the training, application process and has been approved to receive accreditation as a Department of Justice Board of Immigration Appeals representative, one of Lawrence’s only BIA accredited representatives. As a BIA accredited representative, Ms. Liriano is able to represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security as well as provide assistance with immigration documents and filings. The Quintana Center is just 1 of 3 Department of Homeland Security BIA Approved providers in the Merrimack Valley LAWRENCE PROSPERA FY’2018–2019 ANNUAL REPORT During the past year, Lawrence Prospera began providing human resource focused workshops for ESL and Citizenship students at the Quintana Center. A trained and certified Human Resources professional worked with students to identify their past experiences and marketable skills and helped them to create a resume appropriate for today’s workforce. Students also learned to use job search tools and websites that have changed the way employers recruit and hire qualified candidates. Immigrants have driven 2/3 of U.S. economic growth since 2011. PAGE 7 ׉ 7cassandra://VWBdpulI9qVgo1hFqRXxThU32yGnQHpxGr73LxnQkaI'`]}C#b׉E  Joel always aspired to be an American Citizen. He moved to the U.S. in 2012 from the DR at the of 19. Joel has Cerebral Palsy, but has never let it hold him back. As a child, he had very little opportunity for education due to a lack of transportation, aside from his difficulty in walking. However, Joel’s spirit and advocacy has never let his disability, poverty, neglect/abuse or sexual orientation limit his dream. With support from the Department of Developmental Services and others, Joel found a Shared Living Home provider where he feels accepted and loved as a family member. With the support of his team and technology, Joel learned to speak, read and write in English and completed his U.S. Citizenship interview. This past year Joel finally became a U.S. Citizen, received 2 certificates of completion for English and is in the process of completing his GED. Joel’s ultimate goal in life is to become an inspirational speaker and mentor, especially for those going through similar situations that he has experienced. Cindia emigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2009, at the age of 23. Cindia came determined to conquer the American Dream. Despite having been in college in the Dominican Republic majoring in accounting, once in the U.S., she recognized she would have to become accustomed to a new language and culture. She worked at jobs she had never thought of doing—such as, cleaning houses, working at offices and hospitals as well as working in factories. She, as many other immigrants, concentrated on working, and learning English was not a priority until she realized that in order for her to get ahead in life and make all her dreams come true, she needed to learn the language. Cindia registered for the Civics & American History course at the Quintana Center in preparation for her citizenship interview, where she entered an essay contest sponsored by Home Shop Properties. Cindia’s essay was chosen, and she was the recipient of a $725 award toward her Citizenship application fee. With assistance from the Quintana Center, she has filed her petition and is waiting for her interview date. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receive an average of 7 million petitions and applications annually. 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