Lawrence Family Development, Inc. is proud to announce that 34 young people, ages 16 to 24, graduated from the YouthBuild Lawrence program on December 15, 2016. These 34 young people represent the 21st cycle of the YouthBuild program in Lawrence and join over 600 program graduates in the City.
During the graduation ceremony, students were recognized for achievements in construction, education, career and higher education planning, and community service.
Representative-Elect Juana Matias was the guest speaker for the evening and shared her inspirational story with the graduates and their families. The Representative was followed by YouthBuild Graduate, Gloria Martinez, who pumped her fellow graduates with an Impact Statement.
Closing remarks were provided by YouthBuild Graduate Emerald Vasquez. Emerald was the first member of Cycle 21 to complete her HiSET and has been recognized over the course of the year for her achievements and transformation by both the Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition and YouthBuild USA.
In addition to Representative-elect Matias, the Cycle 21 graduates received official proclamations from Representative Frank Moran, on behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the entire Massachusetts Delegation, as well as City Council President Kendrys Vasquez on behalf of the Lawrence City Council.
Over the course of the 10 month program 12 students completed the HiSET High School Equivalency Test. One Graduate, Calvin Tavarez, achieved the highest test score in YouthBuild Lawrence history.
Contacts at YouthBuild Lawrence are: Paul Heithaus, Director of Program Development, pheithaus@lfdef.org and Zulma Liriano, Operations Coordinator, zliriano@lawrenceyouth.com
