UTEC teams up with Lowell artist for Women’s History Month

LOWELL — Nearly 30 young women in UTEC programming recently came together to celebrate Women’s History Month. The day opened with a peace circle focused on community building, finding your voice, and empowerment. The group also worked with local artist John Pierre Smith Sr. to create a special mural at FlipFlop Vintage in Downtown Lowell.

UTEC helps young adults overcome the challenges of poverty, gang involvement, and unemployment. Building positive relationships is an essential part of UTEC’s model to reduce community violence. Recognizing Women’s History month not only gives young women an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the women in their lives, but also helps them form a supportive community of peers.

“Our Women’s History event allowed the group to come together as a community, build relationships, and learn from one another,” said UTEC Director of Clinical Services Elena Ansara. “It’s important to pause every now and then to get to know each other in a different capacity and strengthen the connections we have.”

At FlipFlip Vintage, the group expressed themselves creatively by building a collage with images representing what being a woman means to them.

“I felt a lot of power in the room. It was delightful to watch their willingness to get their hands dirty without complaint and work as a team,” said Smith, owner of FlipFlop Vintage. “I think everybody that day learned how to wear their crown correctly and I witnessed young women learning to be strong and impactful adult women.”

UTEC was founded in 1999 and now serves young adults in Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill. To learn more about UTEC and its 25th anniversary, visit utecinc.org.