OUR IMPACT IN JANUARY

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

Hey Brandi,

January has been a busy month following our staff's return from a two-week break.

We hosted our second youth town hall meeting, engaging in productive discussions with young people and gathering their feedback on community needs. We arranged transportation for them, providing buses from all four schools to our office and taxis from our office to Sky Zone. A total of 68 youth attended and participated in our discussion and Glow Night at Sky Zone. Our next youth engagement session will be held as a mini conference with the La Follette High School BSU and staff at LaFollette High School on Wednesday, February 28th. Please watch for more details to come.

Our Housing Navigation Services have completed the transition from Catholic Charities to Urban Triage. This initiative, now under Urban Triage and created in partnership with Dane County, aims to offer compassionate and culturally sensitive services to those facing housing insecurity and homelessness. Our Housing Navigation Specialists are available for support at The Beacon.

Community investment in programs, resources, and businesses that are effective is crucial. Urban Triage has consistently demonstrated expertise in assisting the most vulnerable populations. We uphold our commitment to delivering results and maintaining integrity while prioritizing the dignity of those we serve. To sustain our efforts, substantial community investment is necessary. On Tuesday, March 5th, Urban Triage will participate in The Big Share, a day of online giving organized by Community Shares of Wisconsin that benefits nearly 70 nonprofit members. We aim to raise funds for our Supporting Healthy Families programs with a focus on our Supporting Healthy Agriculture program.

Although The Big Share takes place on March 5th, early donations are welcome. You may donate now by clicking HERE or using the donate button below. Contributing during The Big Share signifies your dedication to supporting Black families and vulnerable groups; it enables us to foster an economically vibrant Madison that reflects its vision and mission. Donate today or on March 5th—your support and investment are crucial. Be the catalyst for change in our city, our families, our economy, and our world. The time to act is NOW! Donate. Invest. Share.

Additionally, we have opened our waitlists for the Supporting Healthy Black Families workgroup and the Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture workgroup.

Should you have any inquiries, please contact me at bgrayson@urbantriage.org without hesitation. To read the full newsletter, click the button at the bottom of this email. It would be regrettable for you to miss out on the significant work we are undertaking.

In solidarity,

IT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

February marks Black History Month, a period dedicated to honoring the remarkable achievements and contributions of Black Americans to the nation's history and culture. These narratives often remain excluded from mainstream historical accounts and educational materials. It is crucial to recognize the significant role that Black Americans have played in shaping the United States to foster innovative, equitable, and justice-oriented solutions.

Urban Triage acknowledges the profound influence of our history on our future, incorporating this awareness into all aspects of our programming. At the core of Urban Triage lies the commitment to providing transformative education and opportunities for Black families and communities, enhancing their knowledge, understanding, and abilities. The Supporting Healthy Families Workgroups embark participants on a path of self-exploration, aiding them in comprehending the workings of their minds and their perspectives of the world.

Through the lens of Dr. Joy DeGruy's concept of post-traumatic slave syndrome, individuals learn to identify detrimental behaviors and cultivate habits that resonate with their most aspirational selves. This process involves a comprehensive approach and curriculum that spans metaphysics, Black history, neuroscience, among other disciplines. As participants gain insight into the origins and effects of racism, recognizing how it shapes their innermost feelings and perpetuates an inferiority complex, they become motivated and empowered, leading to significant personal breakthroughs and transformations.

Urban Triage represents both a legacy of Black history and the cultivation of future leaders. Support the work of centering Black people, Black families, and Black communities by donating today.

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us for a day of giving with The Big Share on March 5th

On March 5th, an incredible opportunity arises to make a lasting impact in our community. Urban Triage is participating in The Big Share, and we need your help to support healthy families and promote sustainable agriculture.

Why donate to Urban Triage?

• Empowerment: Your contribution aids in providing essential services and education tailored to empower Black families and those most vulnerable.
• Health: You’ll be directly supporting initiatives that promote health and well-being within the community.
• Agriculture: Help us invest in agricultural projects that not only teach sustainable practices but also provide healthy, locally grown food.

Every donation counts, no matter how big or small. By contributing to Urban Triage, you're investing in a brighter, healthier future for Black families and other vulnerable populations in our community. Be part of the change. Mark your calendar for March 5th and make your donation count during The Big Share!

Together, we can build a vibrant, thriving community where everyone has the chance to blossom! Learn more and donate today by clicking the buttons below.

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

COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETING

Urban Triage convened its second town hall meeting on Friday, January 26th, 2024, to facilitate a dialogue among 68 participating youths. Complimentary transportation and dinner, sponsored by MMSD, were provided. The objective of the conversation was to gain insights into how to better tailor our initiatives to meet the changing needs of young people.

Our aim was to establish and nurture a secure environment for young individuals, ensuring effective communication between them and community stakeholders. This is to address the needs of our youth comprehensively and to develop consistent methodologies, instruments, and support mechanisms.

Some of the outcomes included:

• Enhancing the capabilities of agencies throughout Dane County to serve young people by offering financial support, with a focus on smaller organizations and those aiding youth and other at-risk groups.
• Developing a framework for collaboration that disrupts the conventional approach by prioritizing the interests of our youth and the most vulnerable members of society.
• Equipping youth with the necessary resources and opportunities to acquire skills that will enable their self-empowerment.
• Ensuring accountability from funding bodies across the state.
• Distributing resources, forging connections, establishing networks, and providing direct access to member groups to effectively and significantly support youth and their programs.
• Creating and executing a new paradigm for conducting work that emphasizes accountability and respects the dignity of all individuals.

We will host another youth town hall meeting at the end of February. Stay tuned as more details will be released regarding date and time. We will also be publishing a report of our findings.

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.

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

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 or if you know someone who might be interested in joining the waitlist!

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. 

WE'RE OUTSIDE

See what our team has been up to in these streets.

On Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday, advocates gathered at 11:30 a.m. for a Day of Action on Public Transportation as a Civil Right at the closed bus stop on University Ave. near its intersection with Lake St. 

Advocates called for a first-rate transit system with both rapid and local buses that better balance the goals of ridership, coverage, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and organizational efficiency. We call for a transit system with equitable access everywhere, including to infill, old and new peripheral developments. We call for drastic cuts to our emissions of greenhouse gases and conversion of our economy to renewable non-emitting energy sources.

Public transit is a public service, not a business. Its purpose is to get people where they need to go and should not focus primarily on ridership or profit.

Frequent service without reasonable access to people of all abilities is not transit equity. BRT service should enhance, rather than be at the expense of, local routes. We need more transparency in the budgeting of public transportation. We need city, county, state, and federal legislation that increases (1) public funding for transit; (2) the accessibility of public transit for people with disabilities; and (3) opportunities for transit-related jobs that pay family-supporting wages, provide good benefits, and give workers the opportunity to organize a union and bargain collectively without employer pressure and intimidation.



More information is available at: https://www.labor4sustainability.org/transit-equity-2024/

COMMUNITY CORNER

Here's what's happening in our community.

Thursday, February 22nd | Madison Children's Museum Black Heritage Celebration

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

WE'RE HIRING!

Be part of an amazing organization and join our team.

Want to take your career to the next level? Want to be part of an organization making a difference every day in the lives of our most vulnerable? Want to join a team of amazing staff? Well, Urban Triage is where you want to be! We are hiring for the positions listed below.

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!