OUR IMPACT IN MARCH

The work we do makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Hey Brandi,

This month has brought me so much gratitude and excitement. Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our success, and it is because of your dedication that we continue to flourish and expand our outreach.

We are unveiling new programming designed to empower and uplift our community in transformative ways. Our Emerging Adults Transitional Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Rapid Rehousing - Domestic Violence initiatives are set to provide critical support and stability for those in need. To bring these initiatives to life, we hosted a job fair to fill several new positions within our organization. This growth reflects our commitment to creating lasting change and providing comprehensive support.

We are thrilled to announce two significant additions to the Urban Triage leadership team. Sehade Carter will be stepping into the role of Chief Development Officer, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for community development that is second to none. Joining her in our quest for excellence is Felix Gibboney IV, who will serve as our Director of Programming. Felix's expertise and innovative approach will undoubtedly propel our programs to new heights. We couldn't be happier to welcome them aboard!

The excitement doesn't end there! We are gearing up for our first annual Black Brilliance Gala, set to light up the Overture Center for the Arts on May 17th. It promises to be an evening of celebration, reflection, and community empowerment. If you haven't secured your tickets yet, I encourage you to do so promptly—availability is quickly dwindling! Don't forget to make your nominations for the 2024 Unsung Heroes Awards!

To those who have generously considered contributing to our gala, we are still in search of silent auction item donations. This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to showcase their support and for individuals to contribute in a meaningful way. Whether a gift card or items, your donation is greatly appreciated. If you're unsure of what to contribute, we have curated a list of silent auction ideas on our website to inspire you. Sponsorship opportunities for this spectacular event are also available. Partnering with Urban Triage as a sponsor means investing in a brighter future and being part of a movement that celebrates Black excellence and resilience.

In addition, we are also ecstatic to announce that applications for our Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture program and our Hemp Specialty Crop program have officially opened. These initiatives are at the heart of Urban Triage's mission to foster self-sufficiency and promote economic development within our community. With only a few slots available, these programs are filling up quickly. If you're interested in participating and making a tangible difference in Black agriculture and hemp cultivation, I urge you to fill out the application as soon as possible. Don't miss this chance to be part of something groundbreaking!

It is the collective effort of every supporter, volunteer, staff member, and partner that enables us to make a profound impact. Thank you for believing in our mission, for your generous spirit, and for standing with us as we endeavor to transform lives.

In solidarity,

URBAN TRIAGE IS HIRING

Discover your path to success with us!

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, this is your moment. We still have a couple of positions available and are on the lookout for passionate individuals eager to contribute to our mission. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and work alongside a dedicated team, we encourage you to explore the opportunities we have and apply. Your skills and enthusiasm could be exactly what Urban Triage needs to continue our transformative work.

CELEBRATING OUR UNSUNG HEROES

Join us in celebrating the heart of our community

We are thrilled to announce our very first gala, the Black Brilliance Gala, a fundraiser dedicated to celebrating and honoring the unsung heroes in our community. This event is all about shining a light on those incredible individuals who contribute immensely yet often go unrecognized.

As we gear up for what promises to be the event of the year, we're reaching out to you—our valued supporters—to help make this evening even more spectacular. We need sponsors and donations for our silent auction, and we invite you to be a part of this monumental event.

Our quest for sponsorship is in full swing, and your support would mean the world to us. Alternatively, if you have items or experiences you'd like to donate for our silent auction, we'd love to hear from you. Every contribution will play a crucial role in the success of the gala. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@urbantriage.org. To become a sponsor or view a list of suggested silent auction donation ideas, please click the button below.

NOMINATE AN UNSUNG HERO

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for our community but rarely gets the spotlight they deserve? It's time to turn the tables and shine a light on those remarkable individuals with the Unsung Hero Awards. This is your opportunity to nominate community members who have made significant, yet often unrecognized contributions, especially within the Black community. Let’s come together to honor and celebrate these pillars of strength and generosity at the illustrious Black Brilliance Gala.

Please act swiftly as the submission form will close on April 15, 2024. Remember, it's the least we can do to say "Thank You" to those who dedicate themselves to enriching our lives and community. If you wish to nominate multiple candidates, please fill out a separate nomination form for each individual. When submitting nominations, include the full name of the nominee along with their contact details—email and phone number if available. In instances where the contact information is not known, provide us with guidance on how to reach them or contact their nearest relatives.

Please note that nominees can be either living or passed away. In the event of nominating someone who has passed away, ensure that you furnish us with the contact information of their closest relative.

Award Categories



• Champion of Youth Empowerment Award (Youth Advocate)
• Outstanding Service Award (Community Volunteer)
• Community Champion Award (Community Mother Award) 
• Community Catalyst Award (Organizer)
• Community Curator of the Year  
• Harvest Hero Award
• Creative Artist of the Year Award
• Community Driven Award 
• Youth Empowerment Award (Youth Leaders 13-20)
• The Emerging Leader Award 
• Black Brilliance Award 

For details about the award categories and to place your nomination, please click the button below.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Liberation Sponsor Level ($20,000+)

Freedom Sponsor Level ($10,000 - $19,999)

Justice Sponsor Level ($5,000 - $9,999)

Equity Sponsor Level ($2,500 - $4,999)

Unity Sponsor Level ($ 1,000 - $2,499)

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

Building futures and creating housing stability

In the beginning of January 2024, Housing Navigation Services transitioned from Catholic Charities to Urban Triage. Housing Navigation Services is now an initiative of Urban Triage – created in partnership with Dane County – to provide compassionate, caring, and culturally conscious services to individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.

We want to ease this often stressful navigation by addressing your personal needs, preferences, and barriers to achieving housing. Our staff uses an individualized approach with each person or family to determine the level of assistance needed when crafting a personalized housing plan. Additionally, resources such as employment and training, benefits, and overall health services are factored in for client success.

To learn more information, please click the button below.

COMMUNITY YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

We're changing the trajectory of lives, one person at a time

MEETING THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT

Urban Triage is known for developing and implementing programs that fill the niche and gaps and serve those most vulnerable. We've successfully and impactfully served 3,082 individuals over the last year with housing services and placed more than 300 individuals and families in permanent housing. We have more than 4 years of providing support and services to tenants and landlords, which positions us to meet the needs of vulnerable youth effectively and efficiently.

CONNECTING TALENT WITH OPPORTUNITY

Celebrating a Thriving Job Fair Event!

Urban Triage successfully hosted our first job fair on March 15th at our S Park St office. The event provided a dynamic platform for job seekers to engage with a variety of employers seeking diverse talent. The job fair attracted a great turnout, reflecting the enthusiasm and interest from both job seekers and our organization. We are thrilled by the positive impact of this event and look forward to continuing our efforts in facilitating meaningful connections within our community.

SUPPORTING HEALTHY BLACK FAMILIES

Together, We’re Building a Healthier Tomorrow

Supporting Healthy Black Families (SHBF) is a 12-week personal leadership and change workgroup that empowers and inspires breakthroughs and transformation in Black people, families, and communities. 

Our education model is transformative, meaning it enables structural shifts in basic assumptions, thoughts, feelings, and actions that equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to promote sustainable development. Our workgroup enables learners to understand and anticipate change, manage uncertainty, critical thinking, value changes, and empathy.

Our next cohort start date will be announced at a later time. We meet every other Saturday at 2312 S Park St. Lunch is provided for FREE. 

Children over six (6) can attend and receive Black history and self-expression through the arts. Brandi Grayson leads the parent sessions, and Black retired teachers lead the children's sessions. 

We focus on three areas of learning: 

• Cognitive Learning: This refers to acquiring knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking about racism, brain structure, parenting, child development, and local issues.
• Social and Emotional Learning: Refers to trauma recovery, social connectedness, shared values and responsibilities, empathy, solidarity, respect for differences and diversity, and a sense of responsibility for your future. 
• Behavioral Learning: Refers to learning from experiences and understanding what you want based on what you don't want. It also involves intentionally and deliberately creating experiences to develop new habits and a new reality.

Our workgroup is known for its life-changing impact, and our curriculum is like no other. If you commit to the work group, your life will improve. Click the button below to join our waitlist!

SUPPORTING HEALTHY BLACK AGRICULTURE

Growing Together and Nourishing Our Neighbors

The application is now open for our Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture (SHBA) workgroup. SHBA is a 12-week leadership workgroup series designed to empower and inspire breakthroughs and transformation in Black communities. Our workgroup teaches the basics of growing your own food as well as the entrepreneurial benefits/opportunities in the agriculture field.

Our mission is to bring sustainability back into agriculture while providing bonding time and healing space for Black families and opportunities for community members to learn about agriculture from the Black experience. To make our work more impactful, we dive into the many societal pressures that keep Black people from pursuing agricultural careers such as land access, culturally relevant training, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), and much more.

Click the button below for more information and to apply, or if you know someone who might be interested in applying!

The application for our SHBA Hemp Specialty Crop Program is open now! Availability is limited, so make sure to sign up quickly. This program targets Black Entrepreneurs and offers a thorough educational and support framework for those interested in the hemp industry. It encompasses hemp cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing, and strategic business planning. The program will persist until the final hemp product is realized, anticipated by November.

Each student accepted into the program will receive a $2,500 grant to support their business venture. To be eligible to receive the grant at the end of the program, students must attend a minimum of 90% of the program sessions and successfully complete all coursework and assignments.

Click the button below for more information and to apply, or if you know someone who might be interested in applying!

SUPPORTING HEALTHY BLACK YOUTH

Empowering Young Minds to Nurture the Next Generation

Urban Triage is excited about a collaboration we have formed with the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) to offer innovative strategies for engaging students at LaFollette High School and Capital High. The aim is to reduce truancy, enhance academic outcomes, and prevent violence both within and beyond school premises. Our Supporting Healthy Youth workgroups endeavor to connect with students at their current stages of development.

After school, a group of students will be bused to our downtown youth drop-in center and take part in our Supporting Healthy Youth workgroups. These transformative workgroups equip young individuals with essential tools and skills in a supportive environment that encourages exploration of personal character, emotions, motivations, and aspirations. This exploration occurs through various creative arts, including hip hop, creative writing, photography, videography, as well as programs focusing on trauma recovery, healing, and personal growth. We extend comprehensive support and services to students, encompassing workforce development, employment opportunities, leadership training, financial education, music production, spoken word, creative arts, socio-emotional learning courses, and recreational activities. Participation in our workgroups enables students to earn graduation credits by fulfilling the experiential learning requirement, thus integrating work and education. The initiative also involves parents, offering them extensive support.

To learn more, please click the button below. 

SUPPORTING HEALTHY BLACK EMPLOYMENT

Bridging Gaps to a Pathway of Career Success

The Supporting Healthy Black Employment program is a vital initiative dedicated to improving employment prospects for Black and vulnerable communities. This program operates through a strategic partnership with the Prodigal System Academy and focuses on providing comprehensive carpentry training with a specialization in wood framing.

By prioritizing the needs of Black and vulnerable communities, the Supporting Healthy Black Employment program serves as more than just a skill-building opportunity—it's a pathway to career success and overall well-being.

Program Highlights:

• Carpentry Training: Participants receive hands-on training, developing expertise specifically in the area of residential and commercial carpentry.
• Certification: On completing the program, graduates are awarded an OSHA certification, which signifies their readiness to uphold safety standards in the workplace.
• Job Placement: Ensuring a smooth transition into the workforce, the program collaborates with local construction firms to secure job placements for its graduates.
• Additional Support Services: To complement the technical training, Urban Triage offers participants further assistance and a curriculum designed to nurture and sustain healthy Black families.

URBAN TRIAGE'S NEWEST ADDITIONS

Building Success Together: Embracing Fresh Talent and Ideas

We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Sehade, who joins us as our new Director of Development, and Felix, our newest addition as Director of Programming here at Urban Triage! Their expertise and passion for community-driven initiatives align seamlessly with our mission to foster positive change and empower those in need. As we embark on this journey together, we eagerly anticipate the innovative strategies and collaborative efforts they will bring to the table. With Sehade's visionary leadership in development and Felix's dedication to advancing programming initiatives, we are poised to make significant strides in our mission. Together, we look forward to creating impactful solutions and strengthening our commitment to serving the community. Welcome aboard, Sehade and Felix!

Meet our Executive Assistant, Charnice Anderson. She joined our team in April 2022. We're delighted to announce her recent acknowledgment for her exceptional contributions. Charnice's relentless dedication and tireless efforts have left a profound impact on our organization, playing a pivotal role in our collective success. Please join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Charnice for this well-deserved recognition, and in expressing our gratitude for her invaluable contributions to our organization.

Thank you, Charnice! We appreciate you.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Here's what's happening in our community.

Sunday, April 28th - Tuesday, April 30th | Revolutionary Acts 2024 Teen Summit

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Start making a difference now and join our team of volunteers!

Are you ready to create change in our community? Apply to become one of our community advocates and make a difference today!

We are currently looking for immediate volunteers for the following:

• Agriculture
• Bilingual Support
• Organizing Office Space, Closets, and Storage
• Event Committees
• Events: Black Brilliance Gala
• Grant Writing

If you are interested in volunteering for the above needs or any other future needs of Urban Triage, please sign up to volunteer below!