Family Services of the Merrimack Valley

11/26/2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, our hearts are full. 🧡 Over the past few weeks, our community has shown incredible generosity - donating food to help local families enjoy a holiday meal and purchasing gifts from our Amazon Wish List to make the season brighter. ✨ Your kindness reminds us why we are so grateful this time of year.

From all of us at Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, thank you for helping our community feel supported, connected, and hopeful. Wishing you a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving.

11/25/2025

Wow! You all are really delivering! In just one week, 30% of the gifts on this wish list have been purchased for kids in need! Can you help us get closer to 100%?!

The holiday season is exciting for some, but stressful for those who struggle to make ends meet. To help our clients, Family Services is hosting a holiday gift drive! Our goal is to collect gifts for 84 kids and their families by Wed, 12/10. Can YOU help us get there?

Purchase gifts via our Amazon Wish List and they will be shipped directly to our office so that we can distribute to our clients before the holidays. OR if you would like to drop off new, unwrapped items personally, you can drop off at our office: 430 N Canal St, Lawrence, MA (M-Th, 8am-4pm).

Shop now👉 https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1M0O9T5XV4FOO

Thank YOU for making their holiday magical ✨

11/20/2025

Our Parenting Programs teamed up for a Multi-Cultural Wellness Event where families shared traditions, stories, and perspectives. 💬✨ Clinician Adrianna also led a conversation about Seasonal Affective Disorder and how seasonal changes can affect our mental health.

Participants enjoyed Mexican Bingo and the Telephone Game, with winter-themed prizes for the winners. ❄️🎉 We wrapped up by sharing a meal and building a warm sense of community.

11/18/2025

The holiday season is exciting for some, but stressful for those who struggle to make ends meet. To help our clients, Family Services is hosting a holiday gift drive! Our goal is to collect gifts for 84 kids and their families by Wed, 12/10. Can YOU help us get there?

Purchase gifts via our Amazon Wish List and they will be shipped directly to our office so that we can distribute to our clients before the holidays. OR if you would like to drop off new, unwrapped items personally, you can drop off at our office: 430 N Canal St, Lawrence, MA (M-Th, 8am-4pm).

Shop now👉 https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1M0O9T5XV4FOO

Thank YOU for making their holiday magical ✨

11/17/2025

💛 Reminder 💚 If you’ve lost someone to su***de, you are not alone. Join Family Services’ Samaritans of Merrimack Valley and the Northeast Chapter of the Massachusetts Coalition for Su***de Prevention for a day of healing and hope.

📧 To attend, email: DHelms@fsmv.org

***dePrevention

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025 Time: 9:30am - 2:00pm Place: Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, 430 North Canal Street, Lawrence, MA Questions? Contact: Debbie Helms via dhelms@fsmv.org

11/13/2025

Mentorship creates meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. Our mentor Carl and his mentee Adrian spent the day exploring the Addison Gallery of American Art - a beautiful reminder of the power of learning and growing together.

Through our Youth Mentoring Program, mentors and mentees build confidence, friendship, and community - one moment at a time.

💫 Want to make a difference? Learn more at fsmv.org/mentoring

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, we remember and honor the sacrifices veterans gave for our country.

Our NAMI Staff and HelpLine volunteers are off to commemorate this day - but support is still here for you. If you are a military service member, contact the Military Helpline. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or visit chat.988lifeline.org

Visit nami.org/homefront to learn about additional resources for veterans and their families.

11/10/2025

If you’ve lost someone to su***de, you are not alone. 💚 Join Family Services’ Samaritans of Merrimack Valley and the Northeast Chapter of the Massachusetts Coalition for Su***de Prevention for a day of healing and hope. Together, we’ll watch a moving documentary from the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, connect with others who understand this unique grief, and take part in remembrance activities. Breakfast, lunch, and a visit from a service dog included.

📧 To attend, email: DHelms@fsmv.org

***dePrevention

11/03/2025

With recent SNAP benefit delays, many families are facing added stress putting food on the table. We are doing a food drive for the month of November to be distributed to clients at our Family & Community Resource Center. You can make a difference!

🛒 Drop off food donations
🕘 Wednesdays in November, 9am - 4pm
📍 430 N Canal St, Lawrence, MA
❓ E-mail Amy: alacroix@fsmv.org

Most-needed items: canned chicken/tuna/pork, canned peas and beans, dried beans and lentils, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, shelf stable milk, packaged 100% juice, coffee, tea, and baby items. Grocery gift cards are also welcome! Every donation helps a local family in need. 💛

10/31/2025

Safety first! 🚗💙 Our Family and Community Resource Center recently teamed up with Merrimack Health Lawrence General Hospital to provide free car seats and professional installations by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Families also got hands-on tips on proper car seat use and when to upgrade as their little ones grow.

10/29/2025

One of our Parenting Programs recently hosted a Financial Wellness Event! 💰 📊 Participants learned money-saving tips like the 50%-30%-20% rule, balanced monthly budgets, and explored resources from National Grid, Eversource MA, and LiHEAP for energy savings and assistance. Each left with a calendar, budget book, and $100 Market Basket gift card to support their family’s groceries.