Your support fuels the Mary Lyon Foundation’s mission by providing food, books, scholarships, and opportunities that help every child learn and thrive across West County. Every gift, no matter its size, creates a ripple effect of hope and possibility for our students and families.
If you haven’t had a chance to give yet—or if you’re able to extend your support—you can make a difference today by visiting and donating here.
Watch our short video to see the difference your support creates in our community.
learn
succeed
thrive
We empower students and their families by advocating for community investment in programs and services.
help students learn the
big picture
We ensure students have the resources to be ready to learn, to succeed in school and to thrive in the wider world.
New & Updates
Letter from the Chief Executive Officer: Fall 2026
Over the summer and in our fall newsletter, we focus on connectivity and how it is essential to us as humans. Our relationships, or lack thereof, affect our well-being, either positively or negatively. The start of a new school year brings greater connectivity among students, whose need for strong emotional friendships is paramount. It is our human connection with one another that leads us to find hope, strength, and happiness in our lives. This month, our 4th annual Community Resource Fair, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00, is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen bonds. Whether making…
A Legacy of Learning: The Liz LeBaron Memorial Scholarship
Years ago, educator Liz LeBaron led a group of students on a bicycle trip to Walden Pond, where they explored the natural surroundings and wrote poetry inspired by what they experienced. The project brought reading and writing beyond the classroom and into the world around them. It became such a meaningful part of her teaching that Wayland Middle School continued the tradition even after she retired. The trip reflected Liz’s belief that students, especially those who struggled in traditional classroom settings, deserved opportunities to experience reading and writing in ways that felt connected to the world around them. As a…
A New Chapter for Read! Learn! Succeed!
For a young child, receiving a book of their own can be a small but meaningful moment. It is a story they can carry home, share with someone they love, and return to again and again. Over time, those moments can help a child begin to see reading not simply as something they do in school, but as something joyful that belongs in their everyday life. Yet not every child has the same access to books or opportunities to build that connection. Although socioeconomic barriers are often associated with large-scale challenges such as food insecurity, unstable housing, and limited access…
Community
impact
We empower students and their families by advocating for community investment in programs and services.