The mission of UTEC is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC works alongside families in the Merrimack Valley (Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill) as they break cycles of poverty and violence. The organization supports youth-led policy initiatives based on its two-generational (2Gen) programming for young parents in the community who have had negative contact with the criminal justice system. At the heart of this project lies a focus on preparing young fathers, specifically those who have been most impacted by the justice system, to lead and implement such policy and systems changes. UTEC’s policy focus will be on incubating innovative Whole Family Approaches to Ending Poverty at the local and state levels, then sharing and spotlighting these innovations nationally. They will spotlight best practices and advance policy by empowering experts in the community, especially young fathers.

Stories featuring UTEC, Inc.

The Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community Phase II sought to find and foster the most effective and innovative strategies to accelerate social and economic mobility for working families with low incomes. To do so, we elevated the voices and expertise of families with lived experience, were guided by 14 advisors, and we brought together 20 …

Innovations Abound to Advance Family Prosperity Read More »

Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation CommunityMay 3, 2023
Through careful and rigorous research, we know that there is a better way to approach child support policy to build strong families and communities.
BlogJanuary 11, 2023
This year, the Aspen Idea Festival returns to in-person programming at our campus in the Rocky Mountains June 25 - July 1, 2022.
Ascend FellowshipJune 15, 2022
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Our world has changed. The wave of uncertainty touched off by the pandemic is becoming an ongoing process of relearning how to live, work and care for our families. A powerful national movement for racial justice around the world is making clear that we need a new social contract. Our nation faces a reckoning with …

Announcing: New Community of Family Prosperity Innovators Read More »

BlogJuly 28, 2020
Smiling Family With Parents Giving Children Piggyback Rides In Garden At Home
Contact: Lindsay Broyhill Ascend at the Aspen Institute lindsay.broyhill@aspeninstitute.org  Bold Leaders to Advance Innovative Strategies for Families’ Health and Economic Prosperity  Aspen Institute Launches New Partners and Advisors in Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community  Washington, DC – Ascend at the Aspen Institute is proud to announce the new partners and advisors the Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community, Ascend’s initiative for breakthrough innovations and collaborations that position families to reach educational …

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BlogJuly 22, 2020
Dear Governors, First and foremost, thank you for your leadership during these unprecedented times, and good wishes to you, your family, and your staff. We are writing to call your attention to immediate action you may take to financially support noncustodial parents in your state now, and advance family-centered child support policies and practices long-term. …

Ascend’s Response to CARES Act Offset for Child Support Arrears Read More »

BlogMay 4, 2020
AFPIC Network Partners
NEWS RELEASE Contact: Lindsay Broyhill Ascend at the Aspen Institute Tel: 202.721.5596 lindsay.broyhill@aspeninstitute.org 10 Community Organizations Selected to Join Aspen Family Prosperity Innovation Community Will support and leverage ideas from Family Prosperity that strengthen work-family supports Washington, DC – The Aspen Institute announced the selection of 10 Ascend Network Partners to join the Aspen Family …

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BlogSeptember 27, 2018