Lawrence has worked on social justice issues in various communities for the past 14 years. Prior to joining ICIRR, he was the program coordinator for the national Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. He is also a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa, and past board president of the Crossroads Fund in Chicago. Lawrence also served as the Director of Newcomer Initiatives at ICIRR for 3 years prior to working as an organizer in the northwest suburbs. He is married, and has two children ages 3 and 5.