Looking for a last-minute gift that will do more than check off your shopping list?  United Way’s New Way Forward partners offer the opportunity to provide presents with a purpose.  Every purchase from these innovative social enterprises supports programs focused on providing meaningful pathways to college and career for youth and young adults in our region.   

Between the ages of 16 and 24, youth and young adults are in a critical period of their lives, defining who they are, exploring their skills and strengths, and dreaming of future goals. Yet many traditional education and work systems do not meet the diverse needs of many of these young people, especially those in foster care, court-involved or experiencing homelessness. This leaves an estimated one in 10 young people in our region who are not engaged in school or work and are disconnected from economic opportunities for advancement.   

You can be a part of ensuring more youth engage in learning and development opportunities by giving a gift that gives back.  Here are a few ways you can make a difference with your holiday shopping. 

Whether you want to shop for a person or support a specific cause, More than Words has compiled a holiday gift guide that makes it easy. With stores in Waltham, Boston’s South End and a pop-up at the Snowport in the Seaport featuring books and artisan gifts, picking up that last-minute gift or stocking stuffer is easy.   More Than Words also opened their newest venture in Cambridge last week. Boomerangs by More than Words features curated second-hand fashion, accessories, books, home goods and music. 

Why we partner with More than Words: United Way is focused on increasing resources, programs and support services to meet the needs of young people who have not been on traditional pathways to college and career. More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers system-involved youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. Their impact is clear: 81% of More than Words program graduates are productively engaged in work and/or school. 

Looking for a high-quality, handcrafted cutting board?  UTEC’s Woodworking program trains young people to develop cutting boards, salad tongs, ornaments, magnets and other custom items.   They’re available at UTEC’s Madd Love Market, Whole Foods, and at More than Words (we love this collaboration, by the way!). 

Why we partner with UTEC: Equitable access to educational and career pathways requires prioritizing the well-being and holistic needs of young people, creating a cascading positive impact. Serving Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill, UTEC works to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. They pair the development of real-world skills with an individual coaching plan, and the approach is getting results: Data from Massachusetts probation shows that 70% of young adults enrolled in UTEC programming avoided new arraignment within a year, compared to the state-wide re-arraignment rate within three years of 76%. 

Want to avoid a little holiday cooking?  Root Northshore is offering holiday catering that folks can order and pickup in Salem.  You’ll support Root’s Culinary Training Program, which combines hands-on food service training with workforce readiness skills.  Trainees work with a professional chef, work on communications skills, learn about the restaurant industry and complete an externship in a local restaurant and food business.  

Need to refuel while you shop? Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Lynn is a social enterprise of United Way partner North Shore Community Development Coalition. You can go to their physical coffee shop or shop online for coffee and coffee gear!