Lowell, MA
Executive Director: Gregg Croteau
UTEC‘s mission is to ignite and nurture the ambition of the most disconnected youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.
UTEC believes that the young people who are productively engaged in UTEC activities and supports for an extended period during the critical ages of 17 to 25 will develop the skills and resilience they need to maintain stable employment and avoid further criminal activity by the time they are 25.
“Participating in PropelNext has allowed us to make informed enhancements to our data practices – from design to presentation – through the assistance of knowledgeable coaches and the relationships we have developed with fellow youth-serving non-profits.”
–Zenub Kakli, Chief Program Officer, UTEC
UTEC’s evidence-based model begins with intensive street outreach and gang peacemaking. Young people in UTEC’s target population (17-25 year olds who are out of school and gang or criminally involved) receive up to three years of intensive case management. UTEC provides real-world employment experience through social enterprises such as mattress recycling, food services, and woodworking. Project-based education and social justice and civic engagement are embedded throughout. UTEC’s primary outcomes are reduced recidivism, increased employability, and increased educational attainment.
The recidivism rate of UTEC-enrolled young adults in 2016 was less than 15 percent compared to a statewide average of 51 percent. Long-term outcomes are also strong. Of young adults who left UTEC two years ago, 83 percent had no new arrests and 82 percent were employed.
Read the UTEC Grantee Story: UTEC Improvements Set the Stage for a Major Grant