Haverhill Receives $682K Grant to Bring UTEC Gang Outreach to City

Gregg Croteau (second from left), Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Rep. Andy Vargas are among those bringing an anti-gang violence program to Haverhill. (Courtesy photograph)

Gregg Croteau (second from left), Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Rep. Andy Vargas are among those bringing an anti-gang violence program to Haverhill. (Courtesy photograph)

Haverhill is saying “no more” to gang violence. City and state leaders Tuesday gathered to announce a two-year $682,486 grant to bring violence prevention group UTEC to the city starting next month.

The funding was made possible through the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, which focuses on “proven-risk” youth more likely to experience violence.

At Tuesday’s announcement, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito praised Rep. Andy Vargas, Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro, who led the collective charge to make the program a reality.

As the city reels from the recent murders of Haverhill’s Jeffrey Larkin and Nike Colon, Vargas tells WHAV the announcement is the first step in a multi-faceted approach to combat gang violence.

“The most important thing to highlight here is that the community recognizes that violence is not normal and that we’re willing to do something about it,” Vargas, who worked for the past year on the funding, said. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves, ask tough questions and come up with tangible action items that can improve the lives of those who are more prone to violence in Haverhill.”

To that end, Haverhill will employ two street workers and a transition coach to identify those most at risk, get them off the streets, and mentor them as they reintegrate into the community following incarceration.

Work in the city will be overseen by social worker Gregg Croteau and his team at UTEC.

Croteau tells WHAV the UTEC street workers—clad in bright orange—will be highly visible in all areas of the city, not just in the Acre and Mount Washington neighborhoods where recent violence occurred.

“The role of a street worker is a peacemaker and to build relationships up over time between leaders of rival gang sets so that we can facilitate peace,” he said.

When violence is abated, the work of UTEC continues, said Croteau.

”If violence is declining, the work continues no matter what,” Croteau told WHAV. ”We’re responding to incidents of violence, but the heart of what we’re doing is to engage young people who may be disengaged.”

UTEC expects to break ground on a permanent office space in Haverhill some time this summer.