Liz Paley Believes in Empowering Children

Liz Paley has generously donated to ThinkGive since 2015.

How did you first learn about ThinkGive?
I first learned about ThinkGive from Penny Austen, Executive Director. Penny and I served together for several years on the board of another community non-profit organization—Gaining Ground, an organic farm in Concord that grows produce for area meal programs and food pantries.

Why do you continue to support the organization?
I love the mission of ThinkGive. I believe strongly in empowering children and the importance of connection in building understanding. I think young people have an amazing potential to create kind and inclusive communities and I’d love for even more schools to offer the program.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in New York but have lived in Concord/Carlisle for 25 years. I worked in social services for many years in NYC and was also the former Carlisle Council on Aging director. During the pandemic, I started teaching part-time at The Children’s Meetinghouse, a Concord preschool. It’s the same school that my two grown daughters attended when they were little. This is my 4th year teaching there and I love it! The school is a warm and nurturing community, and it furthered my belief in the mission of ThinkGive. I see how very young children can begin to consider the needs and feelings of others.

My two grown daughters are both educators now and I spend a lot of my time visiting with them. I enjoy reading, writing, crossword puzzles, and walking my dog on Concord’s conservation trails. I also volunteer for the Harlem Wellness Center in NYC, an organization that works to strengthen communities through health justice and racial healing.