Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc.

Street Address:
Our House Campus
168 Newbury Street
Lawrence, MA 01841


Phone: 978-685-3115
Fax: 978-683-3946
Website: www.lcworks.org/

Jessica Andors, Co-Executive Director
William Traynor, Executive Director

Contact Name: Jessica Andors
Phone: 978-722-2604
Fax:
Email: jandors@lcworks.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 24    Part Time: 37

Background
Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc. (LCW) is a community development corporation dedicated to the sustained economic and physical revitalization of the City of Lawrence. LCW had its beginnings in the early 1980s struggle to build affordable housing in North Lawrence, and has built or renovated nearly 200 units for affordable housing for the people of Lawrence.

Mission
Our mission is rooted in a commitment to (1) foster individual and neighborhood empowerment and leadership through organizing residents to develop economically, politically, and socially, (2) producing and preserving safe, decent, and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, (3) create programs and facilities that build the educational and economic assets of neighborhood young people, adults, and families, and (4) build a sustained institutional infrastructure for community revitalization through strategic local, regional, and national partnerships.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $3,878,785

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Based Economic Development

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership
  • NeighborWorks Community Building and Organizing
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 199 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 15 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 50 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 71 rental units.
  • Invested $100,000 in the community through Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc.'s revolving loan fund, which leveraged $13,962,028 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $14,062,028.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    9/7/2004 Completed the Summer St. Homeownership Project, which provided four new 2 family homes for first-time homebuyers.
    9/7/2004 Received the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary’s Gold Award for Affordable Housing.
    9/7/2004 Completed a neighborhood playground on the corner of Summer and Newbury Streets.
    9/7/2004 Provided the "Summer of Discovery" Program to children of ages 7-19.
    9/7/2004 Young Professional Programs expanded to include 100 young Lawrencians who are spending their out-of-school hours learning new skills, such as architecture, webmaster, fashion/interior design, videography, financial investment, music production, and IDA and Savings club.
    9/7/2004 The Asset Build Community program has helped 12 low-income women gain both tangible assets, and intangible assets.
    9/7/2004 Started a First Time Homebuyers Program because of the demand seen after the Summer St. Lottery, 98 families applied, 46 families qualified and 50 families needed to work on credit and other income issues, but were interested in homeownership
    12/5/2007 Completed 17-unit Reviviendo Family Housing, which won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Fannie Mae Foundation.
    12/5/2007 Completed 5-unit Union and Mechanic Homeownership and community Garden Project
    12/5/2007 Completed Scarito Homes, 10 unit homeownership project with solar roof cells and other green features
    12/5/2007 First time Homebuyers Program has produced over 100 homeowners in the past two years, IDA program grads have leveraged over $4 million in local asset ownership.
    12/5/2007 95% of Movement City youth program graduates are contiuing on to college
    12/5/2007 Won major reform of city's zoning code in 2003; opened mill district to residential development; 2007 purchased southwick mill for redevelopment.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Business/Merchant Relationship

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  •  Landscape and Neighborhood Beautification

  •  Leadership Training

  • Family Health Programs

  •  Afterschool/Tutoring Programs

  •  English as a Second Language Classes

  •  Job Training / Youth Employment Project

  •  Youth Group Organizing (Issue Oriented)

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  IDA Savings Program

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  HomeBuyers Club

  •  Rental Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Robert BealsBoard MemberResident  
    Carmen CarrionBoard MemberResident  
    Anne CeramiBoard Assistant TreasurerFinancial InstitutionCitizens Bank - Boston, MA (1)Vice President
    Peter ColeBoard Vice PresidentBusinessLawrence General HospitalDirector of Communications/Security and Informatio
    Aby CottoBoard MemberResident  
    Armand HyattBoard MemberResidentHyatt & Hyatt Law OfficesAttorney
    Eduardo LebronBoard MemberResident  
    Maureen McCarthyBoard TreasurerFinancial InstitutionLawrence Savings BankVice President
    Sandra MouzonBoard PresidentResident  
    Marta I RentasBoard MemberResident  
    Ana RodriguezBoard ClerkResident  
    Richard RodriguezBoard MemberResident  
    Miguel SanchezBoard Assistant ClerkResident  
    Linda UlisseBoard MemberResident  

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  New England
    Name:  Frances Cinicola
    Phone:  617-585-5027
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  617-450-0427
    Email:  fcinicola@nw.org