Our History
Today, our Ministry has 50+ full and part-time staff, 5000+ volunteers, and 6500 donors working together to serve the most vulnerable people of Lawrence, MA – people struggling with material poverty, homelessness and food insecurity. We are a community. We are a family. We welcome all in the name of God and treat each person with dignity and respect.
We are a community
We are a family
We are on a Mission from God
But how did we get here? Will you believe Mother Teresa of Calcutta?
When Brother Tom Petitte, a Marist Brother and native of Lawrence MA, went to India in 1981 to care for the poor, he met Mother Teresa. During the last days of the mission, Mother Teresa called the volunteers from around the world together and talked about the worst poverty being poverty of the heart and spirit. She then asked if there was anyone in the room from North America. When Brother Tom was the only attendee to raise his hand, she spoke directly to him and said ….. “Go back and serve the poor in your own community.”
Brother Tom did just that. He came home to Lawrence and began making plans to take care of the materially poor right here in the Merrimack Valley. By 1983, he and a group of faithful volunteers opened the LAZARUS HOUSE Emergency Shelter.
The rest as they say, is history!
-
1981
Our History
“Go back and serve the poor in your community.”
– Mother Teresa -
1983
A Homeless Shelter
Lazarus House Ministries – opens on Holly Street and an advocacy program begins. It began with 5 beds!
-
1984
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store offers the community the dignity of choice in shopping for affordable clothing and household goods in a clean, well-merchandised store.
-
1986
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen begins serving breakfast and lunch. This Soup Kitchen had four card tables and fed 60-70 people a day. Now, there are nine banquet-style tables and we provide nutritious, culturally relevant meals to 200-300 Guests per day.
-
1987
St. Martha’s Food Pantry
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry begins distributing groceries to the community from the Shelter driveway.
-
1993
Corpus Christi
Opened Corpus Christi – residential programs to assist individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
-
1998
ESOL Classes
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes begin, along with our Spark* L.E. Cleaning company to offer work preparation.
-
2007
Capernaum Place
The transitional housing program at Capernaum Place opens, a 20-unit apartment building where families live safely while being supported and guided by our Advocacy team, having access to financial literacy programs and learning to budget.
-
2010
Food Pantry Facility
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry opens on Hampshire Street, providing Guests a true grocery-store experience where welcome, respect, choice and dignity are the foundation.
-
2011
Culinary Program
The first Culinary Program’s trainees graduate and are hired full-time with benefits at the restaurants where they interned.
-
2013
Capital Campaign
Our first-ever capital campaign surpasses our goal of $5 million to better serve the increasing number of people coming to us in need.
-
2015
Ishah House
Ishah House, a nine-bedroom Victorian home, opens as a Pilot transitional program for single, at-risk, and homeless women.
-
2018
35th Anniversary
Lazarus House celebrates its 35th anniversary of serving the most vulnerable in the Merrimack Valley.
-
2019
Bridget Shaheen Retires
Longtime Lazarus House Executive Director Bridget Shaheen retires, leaving behind a legacy of love. Reverend Jeff Hassel is welcomed as new Executive Director.
-
2020
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the Lawrence Community, with disease spreading at twice the state average and unemployment at 5 times the state average. Lazarus House focuses resources on Food, Shelter and Clothing and pivots to safely meet the ever-increasing need for food in the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. Renovations to the Holly Street Shelter provide 5 private family suites, meeting the safety and psychosocial needs of single homeless moms and their children.
-
FY22 - 25
Strategic Plan
Lazarus House embarks on a 3-year strategic plan for the Ministry to meet the growing and changing needs of the Community.
-
2021
Brother Tom Petitte 1945 – 2021
Brother Tom, a founding member of Lazarus House Ministries, passes. His faith, caring and commitment to helping the homeless of Lawrence was a driving force in the establishment of Lazarus House. None of what we do would be possible without the faith and vision of Brother Tom, and for that, we will forever be grateful.
-
2022
Carmen H. Vega – Executive Director
Lazarus House welcomes the first born and bred Lawrencian as Executive Director – Carmen H. Vega.
-
1981
Our History
“Go back and serve the poor in your community.”
– Mother Teresa -
1983
A Homeless Shelter
Lazarus House Ministries – opens on Holly Street and an advocacy program begins. It began with 5 beds!
-
1984
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store offers the community the dignity of choice in shopping for affordable clothing and household goods in a clean, well-merchandised store.
-
1986
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen begins serving breakfast and lunch. This Soup Kitchen had four card tables and fed 60-70 people a day. Now, there are nine banquet-style tables and we provide nutritious, culturally relevant meals to 200-300 Guests per day.
-
1987
St. Martha’s Food Pantry
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry begins distributing groceries to the community from the Shelter driveway.
-
1993
Corpus Christi
Opened Corpus Christi – residential programs to assist individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
-
1998
ESOL Classes
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes begin, along with our Spark* L.E. Cleaning company to offer work preparation.
-
2007
Capernaum Place
The transitional housing program at Capernaum Place opens, a 20-unit apartment building where families live safely while being supported and guided by our Advocacy team, having access to financial literacy programs and learning to budget.
-
2010
Food Pantry Facility
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry opens on Hampshire Street, providing Guests a true grocery-store experience where welcome, respect, choice and dignity are the foundation.
-
2011
Culinary Program
The first Culinary Program’s trainees graduate and are hired full-time with benefits at the restaurants where they interned.
-
2013
Capital Campaign
Our first-ever capital campaign surpasses our goal of $5 million to better serve the increasing number of people coming to us in need.
-
2015
Ishah House
Ishah House, a nine-bedroom Victorian home, opens as a Pilot transitional program for single, at-risk, and homeless women.
-
2018
35th Anniversary
Lazarus House celebrates its 35th anniversary of serving the most vulnerable in the Merrimack Valley.
-
2019
Bridget Shaheen Retires
Longtime Lazarus House Executive Director Bridget Shaheen retires, leaving behind a legacy of love. Reverend Jeff Hassel is welcomed as new Executive Director.
-
2020
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the Lawrence Community, with disease spreading at twice the state average and unemployment at 5 times the state average. Lazarus House focuses resources on Food, Shelter and Clothing and pivots to safely meet the ever-increasing need for food in the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. Renovations to the Holly Street Shelter provide 5 private family suites, meeting the safety and psychosocial needs of single homeless moms and their children.
-
FY22 - 25
Strategic Plan
Lazarus House embarks on a 3-year strategic plan for the Ministry to meet the growing and changing needs of the Community.
-
2021
Brother Tom Petitte 1945 – 2021
Brother Tom, a founding member of Lazarus House Ministries, passes. His faith, caring and commitment to helping the homeless of Lawrence was a driving force in the establishment of Lazarus House. None of what we do would be possible without the faith and vision of Brother Tom, and for that, we will forever be grateful.
“Go back and serve the poor in your community.”
- Mother Teresa
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store offers the community the dignity of choice in shopping for affordable clothing and household goods in a clean, well-merchandised store.
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry begins distributing groceries to the community from the Shelter driveway.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes begin, along with our Spark* L.E. Cleaning company to offer work preparation.
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry opens on Hampshire Street, providing Guests a true grocery-store experience where welcome, respect, choice and dignity are the foundation.
Our first-ever capital campaign surpasses our goal of $5 million to better serve the increasing number of people coming to us in need.
Lazarus House celebrates its 35th anniversary of serving the most vulnerable in the Merrimack Valley.
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the Lawrence Community, with disease spreading at twice the state average and unemployment at 5 times the state average. Lazarus House focuses resources on Food, Shelter and Clothing and pivots to safely meet the ever-increasing need for food in the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. Renovations to the Holly Street Shelter provide 5 private family suites, meeting the safety and psychosocial needs of single homeless moms and their children.
A homeless Shelter - Lazarus House Ministries - opens on Holly Street and an advocacy program begins. It began with 5 beds!
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen begins serving breakfast and lunch. This Soup Kitchen had four card tables and fed 60-70 people a day. Now, there are nine banquet-style tables and we provide nutritious, culturally relevant meals to 200-300 Guests per day.
Opened Corpus Christi – residential programs to assist individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
The transitional housing program at Capernaum Place opens, a 20-unit apartment building where families live safely while being supported and guided by our Advocacy team, having access to financial literacy programs and learning to budget.
The first Culinary Program’s trainees graduate and are hired full-time with benefits at the restaurants where they interned.
Ishah House, a nine-bedroom Victorian home, opens as a Pilot transitional program for single, at-risk, and homeless women.
Longtime Lazarus House Executive Director Bridget Shaheen retires, leaving behind a legacy of love. Reverend Jeff Hassel is welcomed as new Executive Director.
Lazarus House embarks on a 3-year strategic plan for the Ministry to meet the growing and changing needs of the Community.
- 2022
-
Brother Tom Petitte 1945 – 2021
Brother Tom, a founding member of Lazarus House Ministries, passes.... - FY22 - 25
- 2019
- 2015
- 1981
- 2007
- 1993
- 2011
- 2021
- 2020
-
Bridget Shaheen Retires
Longtime Lazarus House Executive Director Bridget Shaheen retires, leaving behind... - 2018
- 2013
- 2010
- 1998
- 1987
“Go back and serve the poor in your community.”
- Mother Teresa
A homeless Shelter - Lazarus House Ministries - opens on Holly Street and an advocacy program begins. It began with 5 beds!
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store offers the community the dignity of choice in shopping for affordable clothing and household goods in a clean, well-merchandised store.
The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen begins serving breakfast and lunch. This Soup Kitchen had four card tables and fed 60-70 people a day. Now, there are nine banquet-style tables and we provide nutritious, culturally relevant meals to 200-300 Guests per day.
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry begins distributing groceries to the community from the Shelter driveway.
Opened Corpus Christi – residential programs to assist individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes begin, along with our Spark* L.E. Cleaning company to offer work preparation.
The transitional housing program at Capernaum Place opens, a 20-unit apartment building where families live safely while being supported and guided by our Advocacy team, having access to financial literacy programs and learning to budget.
The St. Martha’s Food Pantry opens on Hampshire Street, providing Guests a true grocery-store experience where welcome, respect, choice and dignity are the foundation.
The first Culinary Program’s trainees graduate and are hired full-time with benefits at the restaurants where they interned.
Our first-ever capital campaign surpasses our goal of $5 million to better serve the increasing number of people coming to us in need.
Ishah House, a nine-bedroom Victorian home, opens as a Pilot transitional program for single, at-risk, and homeless women.
Lazarus House celebrates its 35th anniversary of serving the most vulnerable in the Merrimack Valley.
Longtime Lazarus House Executive Director Bridget Shaheen retires, leaving behind a legacy of love. Reverend Jeff Hassel is welcomed as new Executive Director.
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the Lawrence Community, with disease spreading at twice the state average and unemployment at 5 times the state average. Lazarus House focuses resources on Food, Shelter and Clothing and pivots to safely meet the ever-increasing need for food in the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. Renovations to the Holly Street Shelter provide 5 private family suites, meeting the safety and psychosocial needs of single homeless moms and their children.