In the heart of Boston’s historic Roxbury neighborhood, where culture and resilience run deep, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM) is helping young people envision—and build—a future filled with possibility. We caught up with Marilyn Machuca, ULEM’s dynamic Project Ready Coordinator whose path from volunteer to STEM champion embodies the very spirit of the work she leads. Through powerful programming, heartfelt mentorship, and a commitment to equity, Machuca and the rest of the ULEM team are changing lives—one Saturday at a time.
The Urban League and Machuca’s Journey
The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is part of a century-old civil rights organization committed to economic empowerment, particularly for communities of color. ULEM’s youth programming falls under its Project Ready umbrella—a national Urban League initiative focused on academic achievement, career exploration, and life readiness. In Boston, the Saturday STEM program acts as a launching pad for young people to see their own potential and set big goals for themselves.
Marilyn Machuca didn’t set out to lead a youth program. A computer science major from Florida, she began as a volunteer and quickly realized that her role at ULEM was a life’s calling. She moved from volunteer to instructor to coordinator, driven by a deep desire to give back and create access for kids like her that love math and science, but may not see value in their skill sets or have the resources to learn.
STEM Programming: Hands-On, High-Impact Learning
ULEM’s Saturday STEM programming has grown significantly. What started as a single drone curriculum has expanded into racing drones, cybersecurity, and AI, thanks to resources from Woz ED. Students build, code, fly, troubleshoot, and collaborate—developing both technical proficiency and confidence.
The program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday during the academic year, with plans to expand into after-school programming through partnerships with STEM-focused high schools. During summer months, ULEM hosts summer camps and college tours providing year-round engagement.
For participants of ULEM’s STEM programs, it’s not just about learning to pilot drones or build robots; it’s about what these activities represent: freedom, control, and vision. Some students are now preparing to take their FAA Part 107 license exam, a certification that allows them to become licensed drone pilots, which is a remarkable credential for future careers.
Positive Outcomes: Building Confidence, Skills, and Future Pathways
The impact is tangible. “The students have really evolved,” Machuca shares. “Some came in shy and quiet, and now they’re taking the lead, teaching younger kids, and working as a team.” STEM education at ULEM is not about rigid assessments but about growth, exploration, and second chances. Mistakes aren’t punished—they’re part of the process. “You just do it again until you get it right,” Machuca adds.
Beyond the technical skills, students develop critical soft skills like collaboration, leadership, and resilience. For some, the program even shifts life trajectories. “One student wasn’t even thinking about college,” Machuca recalls. “Then he just said one day, ‘I want to be an engineer.’ We all just looked at each other. It was a big moment.”
Even students who are unsure about college discover their strengths. Whether they go the college route or enter technical trades, they leave with certifications, hands-on experience, and belief in their own potential.
Inspiring Young People: A Safe Space to Grow and Dream
At the core of the program’s success is the environment Machuca and the ULEM team have cultivated. “It’s a safe space,” she says. “They’re not getting graded in a way that causes stress. There’s feedback, but it’s not punitive. And they actually want to be there.”
Students lead lessons. They solve real problems. They mentor each other. And when Saturdays roll around, it doesn’t feel like a sixth day of school. It feels like going home.
Machuca’s favorite part is seeing the children’s excitement as they participate in STEM activities. She says, “They take ownership of the class. They’re not acting like leaders—they are leaders.”
Why They Do the Work: ULEM’s Purpose and Mission
For Machuca, the work is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student, she remembers struggling through college applications without guidance. Her parents didn’t speak English, didn’t know what FAFSA was, and couldn’t imagine a world where scholarships were real. Her upbringing taught her humility, service, and perseverance. “My why is giving back,” she says. “I didn’t have a bridge—I had to build it. Now I want to be the bridge.”
The program at ULEM provides more than access to STEM learning—it offers students mentorship, resources, and a vision of success that includes both college and trades. “Whether they want to be an engineer, an electrician, or a pilot—we’re giving them the tools and letting them decide.”
In a world where many young people feel disconnected from opportunity, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is lighting a path—powered by curiosity, care, and community. And at the center of it all are the people that make up ULEM: coders, coordinators, connectors, and changemakers.
The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts’ message to students is clear: You are capable. You are worthy. And your future is full of possibilities.
