The Betty Beland Greater Lawrence Summer Fund (GLSF) supports programs that offer summer recreation, learning and hope for at-risk youth in the Greater Lawrence area. From academic enrichment programs to recreational activities, the Summer Fund provides exciting summer opportunities for urban youth. Each year this unique fund raises and pools contributions from interested donors, and awards grants to organizations providing exemplary summer programming.
The purpose of GLSF is to significantly impact out-of-school summer time for youth in Greater Lawrence by:
- Encouraging significant support for high quality, safe summer programs that enhance positive social, academic and emotional abilities.
- Providing safe, constructive alternatives for inner city youth.
- Reducing the loss of education during summer months, which has been shown to widen the achievement gap between low-income youth and their more affluent peers.
Since 2001, GLSF has contributed more than $3 million to summer programs in the Greater Lawrence area. In 2011, the Summer Fund provided $344,450 to 44 programs that benefitted an estimated 19,000 children and teens ranging from ages 3 to 22.
Modeled after the Associated Grant Makers’ Summer Fund in Boston, GLSF was founded in 1990 by Betty Beland, former administrator of The Stevens Foundations and founding board member of ECCF. The Community Foundation assumed administration of the fund in 2001. After Ms. Beland passed away in the Fall of 2011, the fund was renamed the Betty Beland Greater Lawrence Summer Fund in her honor.
This video provides a glimpse into the world of Lawrence, MA and the GLSF supported programs. It was produced, directed, shot and edited in 2005 by the following members of Movement City's summer video program: Carlota Vasquez, Lloceline Reynosa, Ginette Urena, Joseph Urena, Ian Arroya and Roselly Genoa. Funding for the program was provided by the Summer Fund. Special thanks to Barry O'Brien of North Shore Communications Group for editing the final version shown here.
