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A letter from a recent UTEC grad

Hello,

My name is Justin, and I am a proud graduate of UTEC.

Having lived in Lawrence my entire life, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my journey and how it has shaped the person I am today.

Growing up, life was anything but easy. I carried a great deal of anger, much of it directed at circumstances beyond my control. My mother was deported when I was young, and my siblings and I were separated, each of us raised in different households. These early experiences left a lasting impact on me, influencing my struggles in school and in life.

Although I had the potential to succeed academically, I often made poor choices that led me down a destructive path. My actions culminated in an expulsion, making me the youngest student ever placed in a 45-day program. From there, things only seemed to get worse. I began associating with the wrong crowd, making decisions that put me in dangerous situations, sometimes even trusting people I thought of as “brothers” who, in the end, almost cost me my life.

It was in these moments that I realized something needed to change. I knew I had to stop repeating the same mistakes and start a journey grounded in integrity, responsibility, and self-improvement.

That’s when UTEC came into my life. Initially, I was unsure about the place. But once I settled in, I quickly saw the value of what UTEC had to offer. It was there that I began to focus on building something for myself, particularly my clothing brand. Through UTEC, I gained hands-on experience, including an internship in screen printing, which allowed me to explore different aspects of design.

One of the most significant moments of my time at UTEC was creating a branding and apparel office with Matt, a space where I could not only work on my personal projects but also inspire future young adults with similar ambitions. This was a proud milestone, one that marked the beginning of something meaningful.

Today, I work at Amazon, but my clothing brand remains a personal project I’m passionate about. The excitement for what’s to come continues to drive me. My future goals include launching my own clothing line and moving out of state to pursue even greater opportunities.

With the foundation and support I received at UTEC, I know these goals are within reach.

Looking back, I realize just how much UTEC has impacted my life. It wasn’t just a place for job training or education, it was a community that truly believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. The mentors, the support, and the opportunities I found there helped me develop a sense of responsibility and purpose. UTEC provided me with a solid foundation that I continue to build on today, and it truly served as a stepping stone on my path to success.

To all the supporters of UTEC, I want to say thank you. Your contributions have created a space where people like me can find hope, direction, and opportunities they might not have had otherwise. Your belief in us makes all the difference. I am living proof that your support is changing lives. Thank you for everything.

Love,

Justin Anziani

Help Us Meet Young Adults Where They Are

For 25 years, UTEC has met young adults like Nate exactly where they are, including inside correctional facilities, to break cycles of incarceration, violence, and poverty. Our reentry work begins long before release and continues through every step of the journey home.

At no cost to participants, UTEC provides:

Reentry planning that starts during incarceration and builds a path toward stability
1:1 mentoring to build trust, set goals, and overcome obstacles
Mental health support to process trauma and foster healing
Paid, hands-on job experience through UTEC’s Social Enterprises
Education and career coaching to open doors to long-term success
Free early childhood education so young parents can pursue their goals knowing their children are cared for

Your gift fuels this continuum of care, offering resources, relationships, and real second chances that transform lives and strengthen entire communities.

2024 Highlights

In FY24 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), UTEC continued to transform lives and break cycles of violence and poverty, achieving meaningful outcomes for young adults in our community. This impact was made possible thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, partners, and advocates. Together, we are creating brighter futures—one young person at a time.

UTEC staff served 525 young adults behind the walls, on the streets, and through programming.

71% of young adults had no new arraignments within one year of enrolling in UTEC’s intensive programming. 65% had no new arraignments after two years.