Creating opportunity for over three decades

Lawrence Prospera was founded in 1992 by the Lawrence Youth Commission and a small group of community activists with a simple but powerful mission: to create opportunities for the youth and families of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a comprehensive community organization serving hundreds of individuals each year. From vocational training to music production, HiSET and GED prep to ESL and citizenship classes, every program is designed to meet our participants where they are at and get them to where they want to be.

Programming is focused at the SISU Center, a state-of-the-art community center offering vocational training, educational support, athletics programs, and community services. Our approach combines education and hands-on skill building with mentorship and case management to ensure lasting impact.

1. 1992 – Lawrence Family Development and Education Fund, Inc (LFD) receives 501(c)3 recognition
2. 1993 – YouthBuild Lawrence opens its doors and begins rehabbing the Orange Wheeler House
3. 1995 – LFD’s Board of Directors opens the Lawrence Family Development Charter School as one of the 5 original Massachusetts Charter Schools
4. 1998 – The Maria del Pila Quintana Center opens and begins offering ESL and Citizenship services
5. 2007 – LFD’s Board of Directors launches the Patricia Foley Karl Scholarship fund in honor of LFD’s founding Executive Director
6. 2015 – LFD launches the SISU Youth Development model
7. 2017 – LFD opens the SIUS Center in Lawrence
8. 2018 – LFD’s Board of Directors votes to change the organization’s name to Lawrence Family Development, Inc. d/b/a Lawrence Prospera
9. 2022 – LFD launches SISU Basketball
10. 2025 – SISU Basketball rebrands to SISU Athletics with the addition of Volleyball
11. 2025 – LFD ends its business relationship with the Lawrence Family Development Charter School