Prevention Programs
Family Service Prevention Programs offer support and education to youth, elders, and families that help build the skills and
resilience they need to face a complex world. Currently, Family Service operates prevention programs in the areas of: parent
education and support, youth development and elder outreach.
Adolescent Family Life Program (AFL)
Raquel Mendez, 978-327-6629
The AFL Program is a community collaboration, led by Family Service, that aims to help pregnant and parenting teens gain the
skills they need to create a healthy future for themselves and their children. The program provides individual case management,
group support, parent education, family involvement and assistance with accessing community resources.
Adolescent Sibling Pregnancy Prevention
Shirley Stella, 978-327-6645
Adolescent Sibling Pregnancy Prevention (short title: Sibs) is a teen pregnancy prevention program that engages siblings of
pregnant and parenting teens in case management and group services with the intent of preventing early pregnancy.
Visit the Sibs MySpace page.
AMIGOS Mentoring Program
Lina Serna, 978-327-6638
The AMIGOS Mentoring Program matches adult mentors in one-on-one relationships with students from grades 4–8 at the
Guilmette and Wetherbee Schools in Lawrence. Mentors and mentees meet weekly at the student’s school
and form close and trusting relationships that focus on improving student's academic achievement.
Click here for more information on
becoming a mentor.
Elder Outreach
Louise Edelblute,
978-327-6667
In collaboration with the Andover and Methuen Senior Centers, and the Essex Street Towers in Lawrence, Family Service provides
group programs as well as in-home and center-based support to elders struggling with debilitating physical and mental health
conditions. Services include case management, support for caregivers and professional training.
Strengthening Couples
Aida Castro, 978-327-6634
To help couples strengthen their relationships and build skills that enable them to maintain a healthy marriage, Family
Service offers a 14-week relationship enhancement curriculum that teaches positive communication and conflict resolution.
Mujeres en Acción Protegiendose Ahora (MAPA)
Alexandra Bolaños,
978-327-6646
MAPA engages women at risk for HIV/AIDS in a group program that utilizes an integrated substance abuse and HIV prevention
curriculum. The goal of the program is to reduce women’s risk for HIV infection resulting from their own or their partner’s
substance abuse.
Project Venture
Kate Nicholson, 978-327-6635
By combining adventure-learning and community service, Project Venture aims to develop the positive potential of young people
in the City of Lawrence. Project Venture operates during after school hours at the Guilmette Middle School.
Visit Project Venture's MySpace page.
Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families & Communities
Lisette Cid, 978-327-6622
Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities (short title: Family Strengthening) is a nationally recognized parent
education curriculum developed for minority, at-risk families that enables them to improve their parenting skills by
examining the influences of personal history and culture.
Young Children’s Mental Health
Ronnie Ginsberg, 978-327-6619
Sadly, children at very young ages exhibit signs of significant mental and emotional stress. To respond, Family Service provides
mental health counseling, consultation, and support to parents and teachers of children ages 2.9 to six.
