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UTEC to celebrate 25 years of supporting young adults

Raymond Horton, 18, left, and Harlan Love, 17, prepare different sauces in UTEC's kitchen in Lowell as part of the nonprofit's programs to promote workforce development via social enterprises. This year, UTEC is celebrating 25 years of work in helping to lift young adults in Greater Lowell out of the cycles of poverty and violence. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

From left: Marcos (Fredo) Estevez, Ava Murray, Angel "Coco" Rodriguez, Organizing Educator Emmanouella Vendouri, Roberto "JR" Florentino and Francisco Moya in one of Vendouri's classes at UTEC in Lowell April 10, 2024. UTEC is preparing to celebrate 25 years of supporting youth and young adults in Greater Lowell. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

Javier Delosantos, 19, and UTEC Education Director Nick Chalk discuss the creation of designs and logos April 11, 2024 in UTEC's wood and print shop. UTEC, with its longstanding mission of lifting local young adults out of the cycles of violence and poverty, is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary in November. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

Preschool teacher Allison Lovering, left, works with students Kamilah, 4, center, and Sana'a, 4, in UTEC's 2Gen Center, which provides early childhood education to the children of some of the young clients of UTEC. This year, UTEC will celebrate 25 years of work in Greater Lowell to provide opportunities to troubled local young adults and help lift them out of the cycles of poverty and crime. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

From left: UTEC Streetworker Manager James O'Keefe, Streetworker Samnang Man, Streetworker David Cifredo and Reentry Manager Paul Chaleunphong talk about their work with local young adults to keep them away from criminal activity and out of jail during an April 10, 2024 editorial board meeting with The Sun. This year, UTEC is celebrating 25 years of that mission, which has expanded greatly in its scope over that time. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

UTEC Culinary Instructor Derrick Hardin chats with Raymond Horton, right, and Harlan Love, left, as the two youths prepare food as part of UTEC's workforce development programs on April 11, 2024. This year, UTEC will celebrate 25 years of work in Greater Lowell to lift local young adults out of the cycles of crime and poverty. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

J.R. Florentino, right, and UTEC shop instructor Matt Morin use a heat press to put a custom-made logo designed by Florentino onto a sweatshirt in UTEC's wood and print shop April 11, 2024. UTEC, with its longstanding mission of lifting local young adults out of the cycles of violence and poverty, is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary in November. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau, center, has been with the local nonprofit since 2000, shortly after its founding. Croteau has overseen growth for the organization in its mission to lift young adults out of crime and poverty. This year, UTEC will celebrate 25 years of fulfilling that mission. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

UTEC Lead Streetworker Carlos Collazo, center, talks about how he and his fellow streetworkers support and gain the trust of young adults in Greater Lowell during an April 10, 2024 editorial board meeting with The Sun as UTEC prepares to celebrate 25 years since its founding. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)