"I was told my lease wasn't being renewed because I received CORE funds for 12 months. So we got a truck and packed it up, and the day we were moving out (May 31st) I called Sharmecia at Urban Triage to see if they could help with a hotel until we figured things out. She said, "Oh heck no, they ain't kicking you out. Let me call you back." She called me back in 15 minutes and told me to upload my truck and go to the office. I went to the office, and they renewed my lease for 12 months. I was shocked. It was like God answered my prayers. The work they do is unspeakable. They literally saved my life for the 2nd time. I don't know how they do it, but they do it.
Thanks, Urban Triage
-Unhoused Neighbor Initiative Client
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Happy New Year!
What a month. We killed it (which means we did very well), providing services to our community with love and care, as you can see from the infographic above. We also had tons of fun by way of our community events.
We took 12 families and 8 staff members to the Lion King. The experience was all that and more. It took me right back to my childhood; what a treat. Shout out to Ed Holmes at the Overture Center, who made it happen. We appreciate you so much. The children we took were so impressed and engaged. It was amazing to see a Black production. The stage and the customs were all that! Thank you again, Overture Center.
The following week we hosted a movie premiere for Little Mermaid. We rented out a theater for 124 peopleForty-two42 attendees were Urban Triage employees and families, and the rest were community members. We pride ourselves in creating a safe space for people known as Black. A space they can be themselves authentically without judgment. It was fantastic. If you missed the experience--I suggest you create you're own with the children in your life or other adults. It was that good.
Friend, the movie is an important part of history as Black girls like myself had to use their imaginations to insert themselves into positive Disney movie narratives. We also must consciously resist being influenced by images like the still from the original Fantasia movie. We need community engagement and social connectedness to heal the harms of the past and sustain a healthy community, which is why Urban Triage prides itself in hosting positive and community-centered events.
Regarding programming, you may have heard that we had our grand opening for our Youth Drop-In Center on May 31st. And it was amazing! So many people came out to support, and so many people contributed to a successful night. If you missed it, you won't have to worry. There are plenty of news clips, articles, photos, and social media postings to enjoy.
In other programming news, the Dane CORE 2.0 portal has officially closed. Even though the portal closed, we'll continue to process applications submitted before May 31st and start processing applications for move-ins and security deposits in July of 2023. To begin our other programming, we 1st have to clean up the portal and prepare for auditing.
Oh, that reminds me that as we prepare for new programming--our millions are depleted, and we need to solicit funds from donors like you. And unlike other organizations, we don't have folks running to support us with large checks or sponsorships--we have to penny pitch to do what we do. Im not complaining; I love the way we create from nothing--its a testament to creating our worlds outside of constraints, and I would like to point out that our ability to continue to do ALL the good work we do and the work we plan to do---we need people like you to contribute.
Investing in Urban Triage is investing in the wellness of our community.
{First Name}, please remember that we can't do this without YOU and that our success has always hinged on YOU. Some ways you can support are to volunteer, donate, join an event committee, join our grant committee, and share the newsletter with your network.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at bgrayson@urbantriage.org. Please click the view message button at the bottom of this email to see the entire email.
Thanks again for your love and support.
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WE'RE GETTING BIGGER
Check out our new spot for youth!
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We closed out May with a bang by hosting the Grand Opening of our new Urban Youth Center, a youth drop-in center, on May 31st! The Urban Youth Center provides a safe space for youth ages 17.5 to 24 to receive support without judgment. It's a place they can come and rest and escape, shower and wash their clothes and a place they can receive support with their resume, job placement referrals, essential needs, trauma recovery, housing navigation services, food, case management, direct referrals to psychotherapy, and much more.
The mission of Urban Triage is to provide comfort, acceptance, and stigma-free space to those most vulnerable while filling gaps in services. Our Urban Youth Center is part of our Unhoused Youth Initiative in partnership with the Youth Action Board (YAB), LGBTQ Outreach, and the City of Madison. Stay tuned for details on the operation hours and programming.
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Friend, our center will operate thrice weekly from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm. The center will target youth between 17 and 24 during these hours. On other days the center will host after-school programming targeting high school students. We're excited about the possibilities for this space. We look forward to expanding the center by the beginning of next year as the office next to us becomes available.
Please contribute to expanding and sustaining our work and the vision of serving as many youths as possible. Urban Triage is building what's required to serve Dane County youth without the necessary funds. Why? Because we know and believe that if we build it, they will come. Friend, we know you will see the value in what we're building and support the vision. The possibilities of what we can do for youth in our community are infinite.
Join us as we envision, and do the work to create transformative spaces and programming to change the trajectory of the lives of those most vulnerable. Donate today. Our track record shows that we do what we say and that our work is effective, impactful, and needed.
We aim to operate the Youth Center Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm one day; for us to do that, we need you to support the work and join us in ending youth homelessness and housing insecurity! Click on our sponsorship package below to make the dream a reality.
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An Intern made the Video Below!!
See the amazing new things we've done and are doing.
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This video was created through an internship with a UW Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication student. It highlights our clients' journeys with us, how we've supported them, and the impact your donations have on those we serve. We are so grateful to be able to serve our community and create real change!
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Urban Triage Takes On The Lion King |
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Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! |
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Thanks again, Overture Center, for making this happen. It was the first of its kind for many of our families. We had a blast watching Pride Rock come to life on the stage. Hakuna Matata! |
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Urban Triage Hosts Premiere of The Little Mermaid |
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We've got whozits and whatzits galore! |
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For the premier of the new Disney movie, The Little Mermaid, Urban Triage held a special viewing at the Palace Cinema in Sun Prairie. It was needed and it was a fantastic experience and movie.
Thank you to everyone who came out and everyone who donated so families could see it!!! This is what community looks like.
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Supporting Healthy Black Youth Thoreau Partnership |
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Transforming the Lives of Youth and Families |
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Our time at Thoreau ends, and our last day will be next Monday. It's been a pleasure working with the students and parents of Thoreau. We'll still support parents and children as they continue to embark on the journey of self-discovery. |
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"I hate that this is over. I depend on the group, the support, and the therapy offered during group sessions. I will deeply miss the staff of Urban Triage. Every school needs this program...this kind of family/community partnership. It changed my life and my perspective."
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OUR COHORT HAS STARTED
The work of transformation has begun!
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Our Supporting Healthy Black Families workgroup officially kicked off this past Saturday! Our workgroup targets parents. While we provide life-changing programming for parents, we also provide creative arts for their children. We had 15 parents present for our first day and 10 children.
SHBF is a 12-week personal development workgroup that improves individuals' ability to heal and love themselves. SHBF aims to shift how people see themselves and understand their power—resulting in a new form of freedom and POWER—the freedom to recognize and accept their past and change their future. We enroll parents in the possibilities of healing and centering the needs of their children as they unpack generational trauma.
We focus on three areas of learning:
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Cognitive Learning: This refers to acquiring knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking about racism, brain structure, parenting, child development, and local issues.
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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.
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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.
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Click below to learn more about our Supporting Healthy Black Families Workgroup! |
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TURN UP WITH US THIS SUMMER!
A safe space for Black children and families to connect.
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We are entering week 5 of our Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture workgroup, which began May 6th. We are excited to have 28 families join us this summer and grow with us. We had a special appearance this month by the Insect Ambassadors at UW-Madison. |
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Our high tunnel is finally up and ready! We have planted a lot in the ground, including collard greens, kale, parsnips, onion, beans, garlic, carrots, and peas. Our indoor starters are nicely blooming as well! Those include cucumber, broccoli, tomatoes, kohlrabi, and eggplant. We also planted at our Capital Garden last week. This garden holds basil, parsley, sweet peppers, zucchini, summer squash, jalapenos, habaneros, and clover. We still have to plant collard greens to make this garden complete. |
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Last year, our agriculture team spent hours hand-watering our crops. In May, the team completed a huge project, and we are extremely excited to say that we now have our very own irrigation system! This will save us hours during the growing season, and we can focus on the continued growth of our agriculture program. |
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OUR HEMP PROGRAM KICKS OFF NEXT MONTH |
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Our hemp program is kicking off in July and we couldn't be more happy. Follow us on social media to find out how to sign up. All participants receive a $2500 seed grant once the workgroup is completed. Stay tuned for more information. |
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Meet our Homeless Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Pryor. She has been part of our team since July 2022. Jennifer is an amazing asset to the team and organization and knows how to make her team, and clients feel seen and heard! Jennifer has an explicit eye for detail; accuracy is key in our work field!
She enjoys singing, karaoke, and dancing and is outgoing and a hoot to be around! Jennifer's favorite part about working with Urban Triage is how we are all so close and connected!
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Come and hang out with Urban Triage today at Buck & Honey's on Monona as we kick off the month of June, celebrating the work we do and the people who make it all possible. During the entire month of June, order the Donation Creation pizza of the week on the menu! Every week Buck & Honey promises a new donation creation. Urban Triage will receive $2 for every donation creation pizza order at ALL Buck & Honey's locations.
Eat some delicious pizza for a great cause in support of the #1 community-supported and people's choice nonprofit! Shout out to Buck & Honey's for supporting the wellness of our community by donating to the People's Choice non-profit.
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3RD ANNUAL URBAN TRIAGE KICKBACK: FIELD DAY |
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Urban Triage is hosting our 3rd Annual Urban Triage Kickback this summer on Saturday, July 22nd, from 2:00 - 8:00 PM at Penn Park! Our theme this year is Field Day. Field competitions include an obstacle course, tug-of-war, basketball, kickball, and more.
Everything is FREE—free face painting, cotton candy, candy bags, popcorn, etc.
We'll be hosting a DJ battle with DJ Pain One, DJ Fusion (from 93.1 JAMZ), and DJ Shorty this year, in addition to our famous double dutch contest and the best dress competition. We will award $250 in cash to the best field day outfit. Not only that, as always, we're giving out gift cards via raffle tickets.
We'll have three food trucks, a tie-dye tent, two bouncy houses, a climbing wall, a petting zoo, and more. You can follow our Facebook event page for more details.
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Donate white t-shirts by either scanning the QR code or clicking the link below.
We also need sponsors; we've raised $3500 so far, and we need to raise $20,000 more to give the best community event in the history of Penn Park. You can click below to view and complete our sponsorship package. For more information about sponsorship or questions regarding vending, volunteering, or donating, please email info@urbantriage.org. Donate today!! We aim to celebrate the community we serve by providing culturally centered events.
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WE'RE HIRING!
Be part of an amazing organization and join our team.
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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. |
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If you're interested in any of these positions, please email us at info@urbantriage.org for full descriptions. Apply at Urban Triage.org.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
Here's what's happening in our community.
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June1, 2023 | Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom |
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June 3-July 8, 2023 | Free Summer Events from Kids Get Outside |
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June 3-July 8, 2023 | Free Summer Events from Kids Get Outside |
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Apply Now! | Energy Efficiency Improvements |
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As your local community nonprofit, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, we promote the latest business news, community-focused events, and Urban Triage updates! Urban Triage’s newsletter, “The Report,” is a bi-weekly email communication that allows its readers to keep up-to-date with what is happening with Urban Triage and in the community! These biweekly emails currently reach nearly 10,000 contacts and community leaders!
To be considered for our Community Corner and Events Calendar, submit your news and events to info@urbantriage.org.
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Start making a difference now and join our team of volunteers!
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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: Annual Summer Kick-off, Urban Harvest Festival, and 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!
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For the People, by the People. |
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