News

With mattress landfill ban looming, Kennedy bill aims to preserve recycling niche for nonprofits like UTEC

LOWELL — A new statewide ban on the disposal of mattresses and box springs via the waste stream or incinerators takes effect Nov. 1, and UTEC is readying for the shift. The nonprofit serving justice-involved young adults, which runs a mattress recycling enterprise in Lawrence, is working with state Sen. Ed Kennedy to manage the potential implications for its community-based business model.

07/11/2022

Making the Grade

At UTEC, young adults with proven barriers to success, primarily gang involvement and incarceration, are given a clean slate and an opportunity to pursue their goals. This year, 15 young adults walked across the stage in their cap and gown to celebrate completing their HiSET (High School Equivalency Test), one of the highest graduation rates in the program’s history. They were joined by family members and staff on UTEC’s new event space, The Green @ UTEC.

How a community program in Lowell works to stem violence with outreach

In Lowell, UTEC is a youth empowerment services agency that connects with at-risk youth to help prevent violence. We speak with UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau and Sako Long, the head of the group's core outreach worker program. We also hear from a former gang member that now works with UTEC about his journey.

Half Million Fed Gun Violence Grant Aims to Bring Gang Peacemaking and ‘In-Reach’ to Haverhill

Patriots Foundation, Bank of America give UTEC $50G

A $50,000 award from the New England Patriots Foundation and Bank of America will go a long way in helping UTEC’s mission of helping young people in the Merrimack Valley.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $20 Million in Grants to Increase Economic Opportunity in Communities Across Massachusetts

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the award of 65 grants totaling over $20 million to 62 organizations through the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program.

HISET Success Story on WCAP

Rebecca, Director of Education, and Rocky, UTEC young adult, join Gregg Croteau, CEO on WCAP to discuss how UTEC’s academic education program provides the support young people need to be successful.

A new community park rises up in downtown Lowell

A largely idle site at a downtown Lowell intersection is being transformed into a community park through the efforts of a local nonprofit.

MassDevelopment awards grant for The Green @ UTEC

MassDevelopment has awarded a $38,555 grant to assist UTEC in a project to transform an underutilized open space downtown.

UTEC receives $500,000 for woodworking program

Youth nonprofit UTEC has received $500,000 from the Yawkey Foundation to expand its Woodworking Social Enterprise program for justice-involved young adults.