(World of Difference)

Our Mission

While the Lawrence Teen Coalition continues to focus on adolescent pregnancy, our comprehensive and holistic youth development approach has us looking at the total needs of youth and their families. As a coalition, we strive to reflect and meet the diverse socio-economic and cultural values and needs of the community. The coalition achieves its mission primarily through prevention and education programs, referrals to other programs and services, outreach to the community, advocacy, and the community development.

Our History

Concerned about the high number of teen births, the Governor's Office and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health convened local coalitions in Lawrence, Chelsea, Fall River, and Springfield during mid-1986. Community leaders, directors, planners, educators, politicians, religious leaders, and social service workers

, as well as parents and teenagers, were invited to create the Lawrence Teen Coalition. The Lawrence Teen Coalition, now independent from the state, works on three broad goals:

* To reduce the teen births

* To increase teenagers' access to health care and social services; and

* To help teens complete high school and become economically self-sufficient

The Coalition continues to broaden the involvement and improve the coordination of individuals, groups, and agencies in efforts to deal with adolescent pregnancy. This is accomplished through various Coalition committees, the programs we fund, the projects we sponsor, and cooperative efforts with related community initiatives.

(Christmas Party)