Resources Directory

Lawrence Prospera's SISU Center provides education, workforce development, case management, social-emotional support, recreation, and other wraparound services for Lawrence youth and young adults. Its high-risk youth programming primarily serves people ages 14–24; other SISU activities may have different age ranges.

Groundwork Lawrence's Green Team is a year-round paid youth employment program for Lawrence high school students. Participants work part-time on environmental projects including urban farming, trail maintenance, and community greening, earning an income while gaining work experience and environmental education.

Beyond Soccer is a year-round youth development organization that combines soccer with academic enrichment, leadership opportunities, health programming, and youth employment. Program ages, schedules, and fees vary; families should confirm current registration details with the organization.

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Essex Art Center is a nonprofit community art center in Lawrence's Everett Mill offering visual-art classes for youth and adults, exhibitions, and community arts programming.

YDO is a Lawrence-based nonprofit offering out-of-school enrichment for Lawrence youth in STEM, the arts, advisory services, summer programming, and leadership development. Located in the historic Everett Mill, YDO empowers young people to build skills and confidence beyond the classroom.

A nonprofit community development organization building a stronger Lawrence through affordable housing, financial empowerment, and community organizing. Services include homebuyer education, individual financial coaching, affordable rental housing, and community leadership programs.

Elevated Thought is a Lawrence nonprofit that uses art, youth development, and community work to support young people and artists of color. Programs include creative workshops, public art, civic engagement, and opportunities for youth expression.

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Serving Stars provides youth tennis and educational enrichment in Lawrence and participates in the USTA National Junior Tennis & Learning network. Program sites, ages, schedules, and fees should be confirmed directly with the organization.

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Si, Se Puede provides year-round educational and youth-development programs for Lawrence families, including after-school academic support, mentorship, enrichment activities, a teen center, and summer programming. Contact the organization for current enrollment, schedules, and fees.

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Greater Lawrence Family Health Center provides primary care, dental care, behavioral health, pediatrics, obstetric and gynecologic care, pharmacy services, and other health services at multiple Lawrence locations. A sliding-fee program is available for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.

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Lawrence Public Library provides books, computers, internet access, online learning tools, museum passes, multilingual resources, and programs for children, teens, and adults. Library cards are available to residents and nonresidents under the library's current registration rules.

Notre Dame Education Center offers citizenship preparation classes to help lawful permanent residents prepare for the U.S. naturalization interview and exam. Classes cover U.S. history, civics, and the English language requirements for naturalization. Available both in person and online. Call or email to schedule an appointment and enroll.

GLCAC's Workforce and Adult Development program helps Lawrence residents find jobs, develop career skills, and access job placement support. Services include job readiness training, resume help, employment referrals, and connections to apprenticeship and workforce programs. Classes are offered at multiple Lawrence locations.

GLCAC offers free ESOL classes for adult English learners at beginning through advanced levels. The program combines classroom instruction and online study, with morning and evening options and registration required.

The Lawrence Public Schools Family Resource Center helps district families with K–8 enrollment, school questions, family engagement, and connections to school and community resources.

MVIEC offers small-group ESOL classes (up to 15 students) at Level 1 and Level 2, running on 12-week cycles, twice a week for 2.5 hours per session. The curriculum is built around practical life skills — completing forms, visiting the doctor, making phone calls, and navigating daily life in the U.S. Both morning and evening options are available. To register, contact the ESOL Coordinator.

MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center offers job-search assistance, career counseling, resume help, skills assessments, unemployment-navigation support, and referrals to training and hiring opportunities. Contact the center to confirm whether walk-in service or an appointment is appropriate.

Greater Lawrence Technical School offers short-term, hands-on workforce training programs for adults in the Merrimack Valley. Courses include HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, automotive, construction, manufacturing, and medical assistant training. Programs run year-round (fall, winter, and summer) and include job placement assistance. Financial assistance may be available.

GLCAC Head Start and Early Head Start provide early childhood education, meals, health support, and family services for eligible children from 15 months through age 5 in Lawrence and nearby communities.

The Lawrence YMCA offers after-school child care for children ages 5–14, along with summer camps, swimming, and other youth programs. Financial assistance may be available, and age ranges and schedules vary across programs.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence provides after-school and school-break programming for members ages 7–18, including homework help, meals, arts, sports, leadership, and college and career preparation. Annual membership includes access to club programs.

The Lawrence Public Schools Adult Learning Center offers adult basic education, high school-equivalency preparation, and English-language learning. The center also operates a GED and HiSET testing site; contact the center for current classes, eligibility, and schedules.

Notre Dame Education Center offers free in-person and online ESOL classes for adults, with morning and evening options. The organization also provides adult-education programs that may include high-school-equivalency, computer, and workforce preparation; contact the center for current enrollment requirements.

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Offers affordable citizenship preparation classes in Lawrence to help lawful permanent residents prepare for the naturalization exam. Classes cover U.S. history, civics, and the naturalization process. Available Wednesday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturdays. Registration required — contact Karen Sheridan.

GLCAC provides basic immigration assistance for eligible residents through its community services. The current official information does not list every case type or confirm representation, so contact GLCAC to ask whether a specific immigration matter is covered.

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Northeast Legal Aid and the Northeast Justice Center provide free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents of northeastern Massachusetts, including immigration-related help. Available services depend on case type, capacity, and intake screening; contact the Lawrence office to ask whether a specific immigration matter is covered.

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Lawrence Prospera's Quintana Center provides citizenship and naturalization assistance, including help with immigration forms, interview preparation, translation, referrals, and fee-waiver applications. Administrative service fees vary, with reduced fees or waivers available case by case.

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PAIR provides free immigration legal services to eligible asylum seekers and detained immigrants in Massachusetts. Its work includes asylum screening and representation, bond and detention matters, and removal-defense assistance; services depend on intake and case capacity.

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A USCIS Application Support Center provides biometrics for people who receive an appointment notice. It is not a general field office and does not provide walk-in immigration advice or every type of case service; use the USCIS office locator and your appointment notice for current instructions.

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MIRA is a statewide coalition that provides immigration advocacy, citizenship and know-your-rights resources, and referrals to legal and community services. Lawrence residents can use its statewide resources, but should confirm language availability and whether a particular service is provided directly or through a partner.

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Bread & Roses provides meals and food assistance in Lawrence through a community kitchen, food pantry, grab-and-go meals, mobile meals, and food rescue. Current schedules and service availability should be confirmed on its website before visiting.

St. Martha's Food Pantry, operated by Lazarus House Ministries, provides food assistance at 242 Hampshire Street. The pantry is scheduled for Wednesdays; confirm current requirements and availability before visiting.

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Merrimack Valley Food Bank supplies food to partner pantries, shelters, and meal programs across the region, including Lawrence, and offers SNAP application assistance. Contact the food bank or a local partner for current availability and eligibility requirements.

GLCAC's WIC program provides nutrition support for eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five. Its Community Service Center can also help residents identify and apply for available community assistance; contact GLCAC to confirm current food-related services.

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Neighbors In Need distributes groceries through mobile pantry sites in Lawrence and Methuen and also operates a diaper pantry. New visitors complete an intake process, and schedules vary by location; use the official Get Help page before visiting.

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Food For The World provides food distributions in Lawrence, including its Essex Street pantry and additional community distribution sites. Check the organization's website for the current weekly schedule and location before visiting.

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Cor Unum Meal Center serves free breakfast and dinner every day to people in need in Lawrence. Contact the center or check its website before visiting because meal times and intake practices can change.

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Lawrence Public Schools enrolls eligible Lawrence residents in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Enrollment begins online and is completed in person at different locations for Pre-K, K–8, and grades 9–12; families should use the current enrollment page for required documents and appointments.

Lawrence High School's Early College program lets eligible students earn college credit through Northern Essex Community College and Merrimack College while completing high school. Current NECC pathways include Health Care, Computer Information Sciences, Engineering, and Education, with up to 31 NECC credits; Merrimack options may provide up to 12 credits. The Early College Scholars program ended with its final 2025–26 cohort.

Lawrence Family Development Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from K1 through grade 8. Its heritage-language model supports English and Spanish development, and different grade levels attend multiple Lawrence buildings through lottery-based enrollment.

Abbott Lawrence Academy is a grades 9–12 honors high school within Lawrence Public Schools. Its college-preparatory program includes advanced coursework and an Early College partnership with Merrimack College.

The Lawrence Public Schools Multilingual Learner Department supports English learners across district schools through language-development instruction, academic support, family engagement, and multilingual resources.

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LHS offers three Innovation Pathways for students to specialize: Business/Finance, Health/Social Assistance, and Computer Science. These pathways integrate real-world skills and career readiness into the high school curriculum and can be combined with Early College and dual enrollment.

Northern Essex Community College's Lawrence campus offers English-language learning, adult basic education and high-school-equivalency preparation, certificates, and associate-degree programs. Lawrence facilities are spread across several downtown buildings; program schedules, fees, and financial aid vary.

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Lazarus House Ministries provides emergency shelter, meals, food assistance, clothing, housing support, and other services for people experiencing homelessness or material hardship. Service locations, schedules, and intake requirements vary by program.

Lawrence Housing Authority administers public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs and provides information about applications and waiting lists. Eligibility and availability depend on the specific housing program.

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Esperanza Academy is a tuition-free middle school for girls from Lawrence focused on academic achievement, leadership, and preparation for high school and college.

Community Day Charter Public School is a tuition-free public charter school serving Lawrence students from kindergarten through grade 8 through a lottery-based enrollment process. The school operates multiple campuses and emphasizes academics, extended learning, and family support.

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Lawrence Senior Center offers programs and services for older adults, including health and social activities, meals, transportation assistance, information, and referrals. Contact the center to confirm program eligibility and availability.

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Comprehensive services for immigrants including fuel assistance, housing, workforce development, Head Start, and family support. One of Lawrence's most established community organizations serving low-income and immigrant families.

Lawrence General Hospital provides emergency care, inpatient and outpatient services, specialty care, and interpreter support. Financial assistance may be available, but eligibility and documentation requirements vary by program.

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Lawrence Public Library provides self-guided English-learning and citizenship-preparation resources through its online platforms and reference services. The current official site does not confirm recurring instructor-led ESL classes, conversation groups, or computer-literacy classes.

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