UTEC's team discusses their nationally recognized model which begins with intensive street outreach, correctional facility in-reach, and gang peacemaking, engaging our most disconnected young adults by meeting them “where they’re at.” UTEC’s mission and promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. Today they serve Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, MA and are nationally recognized as a model agency serving justice-involved young adults. Their wraparound program is designed to never give up on young adults as they overcome personal, health, and institutional barriers to improving their lives.

The team will also share some of the ways they are innovating with the State and the Department of Corrections to make real, meaningful changes at a systemic level and how you can support. UTEC was founded in 1999 as the result of an organizing movement driven by young people to develop their own teen center in response to gang violence in Lowell. Originally known as “United Teen Equality Center,” today their name is simply UTEC, Inc.and they serve youth ages 17-25.

This program is a collaboration of Courageous Conversations, Memorial Hall Library, and Haverhill Public Library, Libraries Working Towards Social Justice.