Founded in 1989 by ten regional religious, labor and community organizations, Merrimack Valley Project (MVP, Norman grantee 2004–2008) was created to address the devastating economic decline of the Merrimack River valley in Massachusetts, one of the oldest industrial regions in the country. Lawrence and Lowell, once thriving textile manufacturing centers, saw their mills close and jobs disappear over decades and gradually become one of the most ethnically diverse and economically segregated regions in New England. The factories were replaced by over 80 temp agencies, employing more than 15,000 Latino, Southeast Asian and African immigrant workers at poverty wages with no benefits or job security.

MVP launched a two-year campaign to improve wages and working conditions for 1,000 Dominican immigrant temp workers at Gillette’s razor-packaging plants in the region. Workers reported wage theft, no health insurance, retaliation for speaking out, and transportation fees that consumed up to 10% of their take-home pay. MVP built a broad coalition, pressed the state attorney general to investigate violations, and held protests at Gillette’s Boston headquarters. Gillette agreed to commit $500,000 to establish the Career Ladders Program, which would provide education, job training, and career advancement opportunities for immigrant workers in the region. In 2008, MVP extended its reach to even more workers when they convinced a second major employer, New Balance, to join the initiative.