Project Grant 90EE1393

Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc. received an $800,000 Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Award (CFDA 93.570) from the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, effective September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2029. Under this Community Economic Development (CED) funding mechanism, the organization is redeveloping a former mill building in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as part of its Union Crossing Initiative to create commercial space housing La Fruteria supermarket, a 15,200 square-foot grocery store designed to address food desert conditions in the region. The project is expected to generate 25 quality jobs, with 75 percent filled by low-income individuals, offering comprehensive employee benefits including paid time off, flexible scheduling, health care, and career advancement opportunities.

The redevelopment project also expands the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Movement City youth development club, and community gathering spaces with complimentary wireless internet access. Lawrence CommunityWorks intends to supplement the employment benefits with wraparound supportive services including financial literacy training, housing counseling, individual development accounts, and childcare assistance. These newly developed amenities will be located within walking distance of residential units in the Union Crossing area, ensuring convenient access to critical services and employment opportunities for low-income residents in the community.