LEADS Projects
Experiential learning is a crucial part of the LEADS fellowship. Each year our fellows put the knowledge and leadership skills gained during their fellowship year to work on projects that ignite systems change in their local cities or region.
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Projects range from dedicated efforts to revitalize downtowns, to addressing food scarcity and the housing crisis, to piloting youth mentorship programs, to working on behalf of racial equity in supporting local elected officials.
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Many of the projects have resulted in significant change as the connections made through LEADS fuel new cross-sector partnerships, business and organizations.
FROM PERSONAL
LEADERSHIP TO
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Beyond investing in the leaders that participate in the fellowship, LEADS invests in the communities where it works by catalyzing and supporting actionable projects that address priority issues at the local and regional levels.
METHODOLOGY
FOR
SYSTEMS CHANGE
Throughout the fellowship year, our programming incorporates systems thinking principles and design thinking methodology to identify opportunities to move the needle on priority issues. As these issues are identified and discussed, cohort members self-organize into cross-sectoral project teams based on aligned interest and expertise. The groups work to turn their ideas into action through a guided “entrepreneurial opportunity framework” and present their proposed solution to a panel of high-profile state and regional leaders at the conclusion of the fellowship year.
INCUBATION
AND
CULTIVATION
Through seed funding, tactical connections, and other support, LEADS helps project teams launch, adapt and scale their efforts. While the teams and their initiatives are dynamic and ever-evolving, the project proposals included here represent what was presented at the conclusion of the fellowship year. To get involved, get more information, or to get in touch with leaders involved in any of these efforts, please reach out to the LEADS team.
LEADS 1.0
Downtown Revitalization
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Lawrence Small Business Support
Small Business Resources
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Lawrence Workforce Development
Workforce Development
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Lawrence Opioid Commission
Community-Based Harm Reduction
LEADS 2.0
​Engaging Youth in Climate Change
Youth-Led Climate Change
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Haverhill Small Business Support Coalition
Small Business Resources
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Merrimack Valley, Advancing Racial Equality
Political BIPOC Representation
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Lawrence Welcome Center Initiative
Community Information & Resources
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Food Fighters
Food Insecurity
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Affordable Housing
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Youth mentoring
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Zoning: Fair and Affordable Housing
Fair Housing Representation
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Next-Wave Entrepreneurs in the Merrimack Valley
Entrepreneurial Resources
LEADS 3.0​
Combating Houselessness
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Increasing DEI Hiring
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Re-Imagining Community Brand
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LYNC: Linking Youth to Needed Community Resources
Youth Resources
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Making It in the Merrimack Valley
Re-Building the Manufacturing Industry
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DEIJ Coaching & Resources For Businesses
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Youth Entrepreneurial Accelerator
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The Community Protection Initiative
Anti-Hate Training and Advocacy
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Financial Education
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Matching Employers & Talent
LEADS 4.0​
Mentorship for POC Male Youth
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Peer-to-Peer Communication for Youth in Crisis
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Housing Supply
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BIPOC Youth Workforce Opportunities
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Capital for Affordable Housing
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Supercharging Housing Production in Massachusetts
Housing Supply
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Fostering Resilient Youth)
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Non-English Speaking Media Outlets
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Expanded access to services via .AI
LEADS 7.0
SHOAL - SouthCoast Hub for Organizational Alliances & Leverage
A regional Nonprofit Network
Where Healthcare Talent Grows. Mapping the Healthcare Workforce Gap
Stronger School, Stronger Neighborhoods
Building the Human Skills That Shape Tomorrow's Workforce
LEADS 8.0 ECHO
Employment and Belonging in Lowell
Empowering Haverhill’s Youth to Lead the Future Workforce
Increasing home ownership in Lawrence will lift the community
Merrimack Valley Career Bridge Network
Inclusive, Equitable, Empowering, Together
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Merrimack Valley Mentorship Hub
A BIPOC-Led Mentorship Ecosystem for Merrimack Valley Youth
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A Multilingual Business Resource Hub
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Transit Together
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Our City. Our Future. Our Lawrence