For generations, The Community Group has been a transformative force in the lives of families across Lawrence, MA. With programs directly serving over 2,400 children and initiatives cultivating a pipeline of skilled educators, they remain steadfast in their mission to create educational opportunities that pave the way to a brighter future.
ThinkGive is proud to partner with The Community Group to deliver impactful social and emotional learning (SEL) programming to students. We asked educators and students to reflect on their ThinkGive experience—here’s what they shared.
Educator: Arletty Lopez
Grades: 3-4
Location: Lawrence, MA
Began partnership with ThinkGive: 2025
Impact of ThinkGive on Students: “It has been an honor to partner with an organization that deeply cares about our youth’s present and future. ThinkGive creates a unique and meaningful space for students to connect with themselves, their community, and the world. Social and emotional learning is essential to student success—and ThinkGive brings it to life in a way that is both magical and impactful.”
Highlights of the ThinkGive Experience: “One of my students continues to remind himself that he is a spark of kindness and a changemaker—not just for himself, but for others as well.”
Survey Results: After participating in ThinkGive, students reported significant shifts in their social and emotional well-being:
100% felt more connected with their peers, friends, and teachers
88% felt more connected with their families and community.
100% felt more confident in their ability to make a positive impact in their world.
100% felt more included in their class or group.
88% reported being kinder to themselves.
Student Voices: Here’s what some students had to say about their ThinkGive experience:
“I learned to be kind and respectful and have awareness for the people around me.”
“ThinkGive helped me be happier.”
“ThinkGive has changed how I think and feel. I now treat people how I wanted to be treated.”
Minna Kim, ThinkGive Program Coordinator, shared her reflections on the partnership:
“This was our first year partnering with The Community Group to bring social-emotional literacy to 3rd and 4th graders at South Lawrence East School. Arletty, the Afterschool Group leader, brought a bright and uplifting energy to every meeting—an energy she clearly shared with the students in the afterschool program. She never ran out of positive stories about the weekly ThinkGive activities and the meaningful discussions they inspired. The success of this pilot program has encouraged us to explore expanding ThinkGive to other Community Group sites, including their summer program. I’m grateful to collaborate with leaders who truly embody ThinkGive’s values of kindness, belonging, and connection—even in the small, everyday moments of sharing stories and building relationships.”
The Community Group is a recipient of the SEL for Every Child Fund, which provides full funding to implement ThinkGive’s SEL programming. If your school/organization serves a majority of under-resourced youth and lacks funding for SEL initiatives, find out if you qualify at thinkgiveproject.org/fund.
This pilot program was sponsored by:
