Artie Gilbert has been a part of Urban Alchemy since its early days, having previously worked with Dr. Miller at Hunters Point Family. Shaped by his experience serving 26 years in prison starting when he was 19, he developed a strong drive for leadership and to bring safety and comfort to the people around him. Artie has always found himself in a caretaking and leadership role, as he grew up the oldest of 13 siblings. While incarcerated, he coached winning basketball teams for eight years. After he was released, he was drawn to working with Dr. Miller and Urban Alchemy because of its focus on helping people. He started by keeping public toilets clean and then initiated much of the organization’s early clean team work, which also involved engaging people with mental health issues living on the streets. He is proud to have helped bring onboard several other members of the Urban Alchemy team and to being an involved uncle with his many nieces and nephews.
