January 30, 2020 From The Lowell Sun – The development of UTEC’s new woodworking facility received assistance in the form of a $ 100,000 grant recently provided to the organization by Eastern Bank. Eastern Bank’s investment is part of UTEC’s growth campaign to raise funds in the pursuit of job opportunities and pathways for … >More
Blog
The evolving role of street workers in youth violence prevention
January 29, 2020 Presented by The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute – UTEC’s Geoff Foster, Nichelle Sadler, and Leslie Rivera talk about the role of street workers in public health focused youth violence prevention efforts and share their experiences. Through more funding, they are able to provide organized services to underserved youth. UTEC has also been … >More
Empowering teens would help overcome voter apathy
January 22, 2020 From The Lowell Sun: State lawmakers will have the opportunity to review two bills that have the potential to revive interest in local politics and drive voter turnout. Both measures would allow teens as young as 16 to vote in municipal elections. They were scheduled for public hearings before the Joint … >More
Next Generation Takes Spotlight at MLK Day Event
January 21, 2020 From The Lowell Sun: Onlookers in a zigzagging line held hands and linked arms, echoing a popular image of the civil rights era. In front of the crowd, the University of Massachusetts Lowell Gospel Choir and former event organizer Lura Smith sang. “We walk hand-in-hand,” they sang. “ I really do believe … >More
Legislators look to let cities and towns lower voting age
January 20, 2020 From the Boston Herald – Lawmakers are mulling multiple bills that would let cities and towns allow teens as young as 16 to vote in local elections, a move critics are calling “frivolous” and “absurd.” Two bills that would allow “every citizen 16 or 17 years of age, who is … >More
If the economy is booming, why is charitable giving in trouble?
December 23, 2019 From The Boston Globe: Philanthropy is in trouble. Giving USA reported a decline in giving by individuals in 2018, likely driven by changes in the tax code to dramatically reduce the number of itemizers who benefit from the charitable deduction. An end of year drop in the stock market that year … >More
Woodworking program expanding into new home
December 20, 2019 From The Lowell Sun: LOWELL – When UTEC member Felix Nieves entered the vacant building at 70- 80 Church St. Wednesday afternoon, his eyes opened wide with excitement. Nieves, 22, immediately recognized the potential of the 28,500- square- foot space when he got his sneak peek. It has room for more machinery, … >More
Fundraising and Support Talk on 980 WCAP
December 16, 2019 From 980 WCAP – UTEC’s Chief Executive Officer Gregg Croteau, Young Adult Alex, and MA State Represantative Thomas Golden Jr. chat with morning show host Ted Panos of 980 WCAP to discuss the current updates such as woodshop products for sale, fundraising, and the 20th Anniversary Gala experience.
Can Friendship Keep At-Risk Youth Off the Streets?
November 25, 2019 From Freethink: Carlos remembers the first time he got in trouble with the police. He had just finished watching a movie, and when he came out of the theatre, he spotted a purse in a car. “For some reason, I wanted it, so I went and got something and … >More
Numbers show UTEC works
November 8, 2019 From The Lowell Sun: Like an infant taking those first baby steps, the United Teen Equality Center began in 1999 as a place where young people could gather without worrying about the pervasive gang violence in many Lowell neighborhoods. There were some growing pains along the way, which included convincing … >More