On March 31st UTEC held its annual AmeriCorps Service Day in Lowell – one small way that we try to ‘give back’ to our community and some of our local partner organizations. “Part of the mission of the AmeriCorps program, of course, is to ‘strengthen communities’ and to engage in ‘team-based community service,’” said Miguel Quinones, UTEC’s AmeriCorps … >More
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Kronos commits to 3-year grant to assist UTEC
April 4, 2017 From the Lowell Sun: LOWELL — Members of the Kronos GiveIn- spired team visited UTEC to present a grant award to UTEC’s young people and staff. Kronos made a three- year commitment to UTEC Mattress Recycling, the social enterprise where all UTEC young adults begin their work experience. “This relationship is about … >More
Mattress Recycling: First Step In the UTEC Journey
The young adults and staff of UTEC currently recycle around 15,000 mattresses a year at the UTEC Mattress Recycling facility in Lawrence. The UTEC Mattress Recycling facility is unlike anything else you’ll find at UTEC. This sprawling warehouse in an industrial section of Lawrence is a far cry from the shiny, contemporary ambiance of Café UTEC. … >More
What Is “HiSET” and How Does It Work at UTEC?
At UTEC instructors take a very different approach towards teaching. As most people know, a young person who has not completed high school may choose to study and be tested for a “Certificate of High School Equivalency.” Here in Massachusetts this program is known as HiSET (or High School Equivalency Test), which (like GED in … >More
Big ‘snaps’ to Lowell’s leadership
March 13, 2017From the Lowell Sun: It was recently reported that Crime in Lowell fell by 10 percent in 2016 compared to the prior year. In fact, Cheif Justice Ralph Gants of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court praised the efforts of local officials for such continued decrease in gang and criminal activity … >More
AmeriCorps Week: Honoring Those that Serve
Most of the members of UTEC’s current AmeriCorps team. This week (March 4th to 11th) is “AmeriCorps Week” – a national celebration and recognition of the extraordinary contributions of the some 80,000 service members currently active throughout the country, as well as the approximately one million AmeriCorps alumni. Since 1993, AmeriCorps members have collectively served … >More
White Ribbon Day and UTEC’s Commitment to Practice Healthy Masculinity
As part of an international human rights effort, the Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign invites men and boys to be part of the solution in ending gender-based violence and violence against women. On March 1st, Massachusetts will hold its 10th Annual White Ribbon Day Event (#ReimagineManhood) to encourage men to speak out to: change societal … >More
The Secret to this Social enterprise’s Success Springs from Old Mattresses
February 24, 2017From 90.0 WBUR: The drafty riverside warehouse in Lawrence looks like a scene out of the Hans Christian Andersen fable “The Princess and the Pea” — the place is stacked nearly floor to ceiling with mattresses.“There’s, I believe, around 700 mattresses on our floor right now, and we have more coming … >More
UTEC’s 2016 Outcomes: Progress for Proven-Risk Young Adults
This is #SIFWeek, a celebration of the impact of federal Social Innovation Funding through the Corporation for National and Community Service. It’s a perfect time highlight UTEC’s 2016 “Outcomes & Impact Report.” This report may be the most important single document UTEC generates each year as it provides a comprehensive and data-driven summary of exactly how well … >More
Democratic Mass. Senators Lay Out Bevy of Criminal Justice Proposals
February 16, 2017From 90.9 WBUR: Just days before a long-awaited review of the Massachusetts criminal justice system is set to be released, several Democratic state senators on Thursday detailed their policy proposals for criminal justice reform, which they say will be a major priority this legislative session. Legislative leaders commissioned the Council of State Governments … >More