The Boston Globe, the Lowell Sun, and Merrimack Valley Magazine showcased the recent completion of UTEC's newly certified green building. But as our Grand Opening guests can attest, the most impressive "building" we have the honor of witnessing inside our home is seen through the transformation of young people such as Cynthia. As 2013 approaches and we plan to expand the number of youth served, we hope you can make an end-of-year gift to increase such impact to many more youth.

"I grew up dealing with things that no child should ever have to deal with," said Cynthia, sharing her story at the  Grand Opening. "I became really angry, and by middle school, I ended up in court for fighting."Then, at just 14 years old, Cynthia became a parent. Struggling in an abusive relationship, she dropped out of school. "I spent years wondering if there was anything I could do to change."

When Cynthia first came to UTEC, she decided to try it because the staff were so nice, she said. Soon after her training, Cynthia climbed up two-story scaffolding to paint the ceiling of UTEC's gym and conference space. "I was scared! But my program manager encouraged me until I became a pro."

Thanks to your investment in our youth, Cynthia has made tremendous progress. She will take her final GED tests this month and has already mastered job skills and earned positive performance reviews: "Before I started at UTEC, I wondered if I would ever change my situation. Today I am a proud and confident woman, and I know I am on a path to a better life for me and my family."

Extended support and intensive personal guidance can change the course of a young lifetime of abuse, poverty, or violence. We never give up on a young person. We try again and again.

Your gift of $50,or even more if you can afford it, ensures that our young people have multiple chances, multiple pathways, and the time to make transformative changes.

Please give today to help make real change possible for young people in our community who are disconnected. Please help give a young person like Cynthia a new start.

Sincerely,

Gregg Croteau, MSW

Executive Director

PS: Your tax-deductible donation supports the youth work that UTEC has done since 1999, as well as our alternative education and employment programs. Please give today!