WHO WE ARE:

Leadership is a group of teens that serve as the voice of all UTEC teens. The leadership team is comprised of thirteen members who work closely with the UTEC Board of Directors. The members are very committed, skilled, and positive role models for UTEC and the community. These teens are devoted to making changes in the center as well as in the community to enhance teen’s lives.

WHAT WE DO:

The leadership team is the voice of the teens and fined solutions to topics and issues brought to our attention by the members. The leadership team also meets with staff on Fridays for staff meeting to present and discuss teen questions and concerns; we essentially voice the opinion of all teens within the center. The leadership team helps organize and coordinate two events every year, one of them being “Dance for Peace”. The leadership team strives to serve in and out of the UTEC center.

PERKS OF BEING A LEADERSHIP MEMBER:

• T-shirts
• Get space with computers
• Training- see attached schedule
• 12 members- 6 from the previous year & 6 new
• Web site section- list of members & bios
• Bulletin board- who they are how you get there
• Privileges- don’t have to pay for anything
• Meeting once a week (Monday 3:30-5:00)
• Two major projects
• Portfolio- resumes, cover letter, certifications, report card, etc.

MEMBERS:

Angelli Maldonado

My name is Angelli Maldonado, I am 17 years old and was born and raised in Lowell, MA. I was born on April 3rd 1991 and am of Puerto Rican heritage. I have two older brothers and a dog named Scooby Doo. I’m outgoing, very friendly, easy to get along with and I like to try new things. I am a junior at Greater Lowell Technical High School where I major in carpentry; one of my goals in life is to attend a four-year institute to become a trained professional carpenter. I found out about UTEC through my friend Brittany, who is also a leadership member. After participating in several programs I am currently employed as the teen cultural arts coordinator. Being a part of the leadership team has taught me important skills in which I can apply to everyday life.

Brittany Perez

My name is Brittany Robinson Perez and I am 16 years old. I was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts and I’m currently a junior at Lowell High School. Lowell is a very diverse place that allows for unity among people from many different places. Although to me it’s a small city, a lot of growth and potential comes out of it.

I became familiar with the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) through my older sister. I would hear about all the cool things they offered, but I was too young to join. I couldn’t wait for the day that I turned 13 and I could finally become a member. Once I joined I learned all about the eclectic programs they have. I soon joined the step dance team called the Floor Breakaz and the salsa team. I am also a part of the leadership team, design team, work on the fundraising committee and am on the Board of Directors.

Because UTEC is a “by teens, for teens” nonprofit organization, for very adult position there is a teen position. I am currently working in the development department with three adult staff members. My responsibilities include sending out information packets to educate people about UTEC, creating a monthly newsletter that informs the community about UTEC’s events and update about the youth we serve, and data processing to keep track of all our donors and funders. I also help plan house parties to introduce more people to the mission and activities of UTEC.

Being a part of UTEC has made me realize so many different important things over the years. When I was younger, I felt immune to all the stories of people being shot and gangs taking over the city. Attending UTEC has made me realize the true importance of these violent acts and why doing something about it is so necessary. That is why I am proud to volunteer for annuals events held by the UTEC such as peace in Action.

[Peace in Action is an annual performance event created by UTEC for teens to express their feelings about violence in their community]. I volunteered as an MC, which allowed me to use my voice to speak up about the problems Lowell faces every day

Working at UTEC really affects me because I know I’m giving back and doing something good for the community that served me for so long. I just hope that more people become involved with things like Peace in Action in order to better themselves and their community because that is what it has done for me.

Anthony Decontreras

I am 19 years old. I was born in Lawrence and raised in Lowell I am a senior at Lowell High School. I first found out about UTEC through some friends of mine so I started coming to UTEC for fun. I got in some trouble with the court system and then started doing some community service at UTEC. After being involved at UTEC for a couple of months I was employed as the teen activities coordinator and enjoy the time I spend here.

During my spare time I like to play basketball. Sometimes I just go to the courts to shoot the ball. I also go to the YMCA to work out. If I’m not doing any of that, I am usually at home watching TV. Besides all that I’m usually at UTEC working or playing pool. And that’s me Anthony Decontreras.

Criselen Trinidad

My name is Criselen Trinidad, I am sixteen years old, I am of Dominican heritage and am a junior al Lowell High School. I was born in Dominican Republic December19, 1991. I moved to the United States when I was eight years old and moved to Lowell when I was ten years old. I joined UTEC my sophomore year of high school, when I was fourteen years old. When I joined UTEC I didn’t know what I was getting into but so far it has been very helpful. UTEC helped me with volunteering; which I needed, with a job during the summer, and so much more.

I’m still a member at UTEC. At first I wasn’t an active member I just went to spend time with my friends and talk to the UTEC staff and just hang out in the lounge. Then one day I signed up to participate in the Leadership Program, had some interviews and I ended up making it into the final ten. Then the trainings started, some were boring, others were ok, but others were extremely fun. Overall they were all very exciting.

With leadership I became an active member at UTEC, and received many benefits: free entry into parties, field trips, a summer job and much more. I’m still in the leadership team and I encourage others to join.

Eddie Mercado

Hi my name is Eddie Mercado; I was born on June 8, 1989 in Loiza, Puerto Rico. It was a little town where my whole family lives, but also known as one of the most dangerous parts of Puerto Rico. My mom wanted to experience life in United States so she told my grandmother to take care of me while she found something new in the US. I stayed in Puerto Rico until I was 1½ to 2 years old. She came to get me and from there I had moved to Haverhill, MA. I spent around 5 years living there, going to school, and had a lot of friends.

Later on when I was 6 years old I had moved to Lawrence, MA. From there I had gone to Leonard Middle School. It was really tough for me because I had to meet new friends and start over again. After a couple weeks I had met a couple of friends, there I had fought for the first time but it was good after. I got so attached to Lawrence that I started to love everything about it. Until I moved to Florida I had thought that it was a nightmare, trust me it was.

After living in Florida for 3 ½ years, I moved back to Massachusetts but instead of heading back to Lawrence we had tried Lowell. I thought that it was an alright city. But what made it more fun was my 3 cousins that lived on Lincoln street at the time. I had signed up to go to Lowell High School and had attended as a freshman. I thought that school was perfect…until August 2004 - my 2 cousins got killed in a drive-by shooting. I felt torn and empty. By then I had joined a gang and from there I got really stuck into the gang life and didn’t know where to go. I had been in the gang business for about 3-to 4 years and it was awful experience - watching death after death for either colors, drugs, or even territories.

So coming out of high school some friends took me to UTEC and from there it was a learning experience. They helped to get me out of that gang and I started attending lots of programs. Now, people can see that I am involved in a lot of coalitions such as TLTW (Teens Leading the Way) which is a statewide youth coalition, the Governor’s Advisory Statewide Youth Council, UTEC’s leadership team, and the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition of Lowell, MA. Not only that, but I am also involved in UTEC’s board meetings. I know that if it wasn’t for UTEC it could have been jail or dead. That is why I know that UTEC is a safe haven.

Kimberly Iem

My name is Kimberly Chhour Iem. I was born in Fresno, California on July 6, 1991 so that makes me 16 going on 17. I’m currently attending Lowell High School as a junior and graduating in 2009. I’m currently employed at UTEC as a Teen Youth Coordinator and am also on the leadership team. I’m a sister of four brothers and one sister and living with my father. My position at UTEC is a Teen Coordinator. I’m in charge of getting the groups (such as hip hop, salsa and step) running smoothly. I also do time sheets and make sure everybody works the correct hours, as well as much more.

Luis Garay

My name is Luis and I was born in Puerto Rico at 1:26 on December 4, 1991. When I was 1 year old I moved to the United States and I lived in Lowell for 4 years. After these 4 years I moved to Lawrence for 11 years. At the time I lived in Lawrence I was getting in a lot of problems with gangs and with my family. I left my house when I turned 16 because I wanted a better future so I came to Lowell. Now I live in Lowell again. I live with my aunt and my two little cousins. The school that I am going to now is Lowell High School and I am a junior to graduate in the class of 2009. One of the programs that I am involved with at school is JROTC, which I have been involved in since my freshman year. In ROTC I have the most community hours in the cadet core. I have tutored teens about staying out of trouble and help them with class work. I know I am not perfect in my school work but I try. This program helped me by learning more leadership skills. The other program that I am involved in at UTEC is the business program where I am the CEO. I am also the Farm Youth Coordinator. These two programs helped me out by keeping me focused in school and out of trouble.

Chantay Otero

The name is Chantay Otero. I am seventeen years old and I go to Lowell High School. I’m outgoing and friendly, so never be afraid to introduce yourself. I first got introduced to UTEC my sophomore year through a good friend. I began volunteering and shortly after Emilie S. offered me a job as her Youth Cultural Arts Coordinator. I became involved in the design team and leadership team a few months later. I am no longer a UTEC staff but I continually volunteer with events and am still a proud leadership member. One thing I can take with me forever from being here at UTEC is that family and home is really where the heart is and thanks to the wonderful staff who put their hearts into it everyday, this is where it’s at!

Megan Phillips

My name is Megan Phillips and I have been involved with UTEC for the last eight months. I first found out about UTEC by one of my close friends. She told me about the Fresh Roots Farm Program which I became interested in and soon joined. When the farm program ended I joined the Fresh Roots Culinary Program. The coordinator of the program, Karen, liked the work I did and offered me my job as the Culinary Arts Youth Coordinator. I am fifteen years old. I attend Lowell High School, and I am currently a sophomore. I work very hard on my grades. And I also enjoy playing lacrosse in my spare time.

Admire Dimoh

Admire was born and raised in West Africa. She is a sophomore at Lowell High School. Admire has been closely involved in UTEC and is taking part in the leadership team. This has given Admire the opportunity to have a job as the Young Women’s Teen Coordinator here at UTEC. She was introduced to UTEC by a friend in 2004. Admire likes to play volleyball, tennis, go to the movies, and hang out with friends in her free time. She is very friendly and an easy person to talk to.

Ashley Kotzen

My name is Ashley Kotzen. I was born on December 10th, 1990, which makes me seventeen years old. I was born in Orlando, Florida and raised in New Jersey for most of my life. I am a sophomore at the Greater Lowell Technical High School where I study office technology. My favorite singer is Pink and I love to be called Lil' Pink.

Christian Trinidad

 My name is Christian E. Trinidad. I was born in Dominican Republic in December 19, 1991 which makes me 16. I currently attend Lowell High School and I’m a sophomore there. I currently work at United Teen Equality Center (UTEC). My job there is the Athletics Youth Coordinator which means that I help out part time in the basketball court. Another group that I’m involved in is the Leadership Team, which represents the voice of teens in a way. The Leadership Team helps teens get familiar with public speaking, interview skills, etc.

Before I started attending UTEC a couple of years ago all I did was weight lift, play basketball, chill around with friends, and a couple of other things or whatever came up. Then later, during freshman year of high school, my cousin introduced me to what UTEC was and I’ve been involved ever since. When I first started going I got involved in the Design Team, the Leadership Team, and the Young Men’s Group. After completing the Leadership Team I got a job here.

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