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Lawrence Prospera is a 501 (c)(3) organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. All donations are tax exempt and support the mission of "Strengthening the Individuals and Families of Lawrence through the Development of Thriving Communities."

Lawrence Prospera

CREATING THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS

Lawrence Prospera serves over 1,000 members of the Lawrence community each year. In addition to the SISU youth program, and the Quintana Family Center, Lawrence Prospera currently manages real estate in the City of Lawrence, and creates affordable housing for first time homebuyers.

For more information, contact Paul Heithaus at 978-224-8808 or e-mail him at pheithaus@lfdef.org.

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SISU Youth Programs

CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR PROVEN-RISK YOUNG PEOPLE

Did you know that In 2012 U.S. law enforcement agencies made 1.3 million arrests of young people under the age of 18.

Since 1994, Lawrence Prospera has provided alternative education, vocational training, and lifeskills/mentorning for some of Lawrence's highest risk young people. To continue meeting the growing needs of this population, Lawrence Prospera began developing a more comprehensive youth development program in 2014. The centerpiece of the program is the SISU Center at 417 Canal Street in Lawrence. The site was built by a team of young people who are proud to call the space their own.

The American Institutes for Research found in a 2014 study that each $1 invested into programs like Lawrence Prospera's SISU Program, may be associated with societal cost-savings of as much as $7.31.

To maintain this safe space away from the hustling, violence and drugs of the street corners costs more than $5,000 per young person during each year. Support for this program is made possible through the generousity of benefactors, private foundations and individual donors.

For more information, contact Paul Heithaus at 978-224-8808 or e-mail him at pheithaus@lfdef.org.

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Quintana Center Adult Education

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION

Building on the original vision of the Lawrence Youth Commission to address the education and community development needs of the whole family unit, Lawrence Prospera opened the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center in 2002. To address the growing needs of the immigrant community in the Merrimack Valley, the Quintana Center provides the Citizenship for new Americans Program for adults ages 18+.

Each year over 300 newcomers participate in ESL, Citizenship, computer literacy, and financial literacy programming through the Center. For every one participant enrolled, three more end up on the waiting list. However at the cost of less than $1,000 a participant, the Quintana Center could cut the size of the waitlist in half and increase the number and scope of additional classes.

For more information, contact Paul Heithaus at 978-224-8808 or e-mail him at pheithaus@lfdef.org.

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