The Lyon Roars
News & Updates
Reflections on Response & Resilience: A Message from Liza
We received a phone call from Representative Natalie Blais in late October. Her message was clear: SNAP benefits were not going to be paid out in November and we needed to rally the community to help our neighbors who would be negatively impacted by the loss of SNAP. Immediately, Kristen reached out to district leaders and local food pantries,…
Letter from The Chief Executive Officer: Winter 2026
Impact is not just a word; it defines our collective efforts. Boy, did we make an impact on the community during the turbulent fall! We fed hungry people, stood loud and proud to support those who needed our help, spoke to the news, published articles and stories, and advocated for community investment in children, programs,…
Mary Lyon Foundation Celebrates Reaching $5 Million Milestone for Student Success
Shelburne Falls, MA, October 24, 2025 – The Mary Lyon Foundation (MLF) is proud to announce that it has officially met its $5 million Campaign for Student Success goal, marking a transformative moment for education, equity, and community well-being in West County. Launched in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, the Campaign for Student…
Partnership Expands Healthcare Access in Western Franklin County with New Mobile Health Unit
Shelburne Falls, MA, October 20, 2025 – The Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC), in partnership with the Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRSD) and the Mary Lyon Foundation (MLF), is proud to announce the launch of a new Mobile Health Unit at Mohawk Trail Regional School, beginning Monday, October 27, 2025. Designed to…
Fall Newsletter: Liza Manchester, Program Director
Late in July, I joined the staff at the Mary Lyon Foundation. The team had just moved into a new office space at Mohawk Trail Regional School the week before, yet they were ready to welcome me with open arms — and put me to work right away! During my first week, I had the…
Fall Newsletter: Sarah Burrell, Development Associate
Summer at the Mary Lyon Foundation has been anything but sleepy! While students enjoyed their break and teachers recharged their batteries, we seized the moment to play musical chairs with our office space. In true small-but-mighty team fashion, we packed up our entire operation and migrated to a bigger, and more well suited classroom space…
Letter from The Chief Executive Officer: Summer 2025
I am thrilled to announce that we have met our $5,000,000 campaign goal! When I arrived at the Foundation in January of 2021, school was remote, and we were still wearing masks. Just like the seasons, so much has changed in the last four and a half years. Our programs have grown, we’ve helped more…
On the Road to Better Health: Community Health Center of Franklin County’s Mobile Health Vehicle Brings Care to West County
In a region where scenic hills and winding back roads often mean long drives to the nearest clinic, access to healthcare can feel out of reach for many West County residents. But that’s starting to change. This year, the Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) officially launched its new Mobile Health Vehicle—a fully equipped…
From Ashfield to Law School, Emaline Drury is Making Her Mark
Emaline Drury is not your average high school senior. Driven by a deep passion for justice and community service, this Ashfield resident is already paving the way for a bright future. With big dreams of attending law school, Emaline is the proud recipient of the prestigious Edwin C. Demara Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship, awarded by…