Media
by EDUCO
Read about our impact, recent successes, and how we are making a difference with and in the lives of returning citizens, as well as healing neighborhoods throughout the country.
Press Releases
Urban Alchemy Serves Thousands of Austinites at Homeless Shelters and Oasis
The nonprofit secured permanent housing for almost 100 guests AUSTIN, TX – Through its management of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) and the 8th Street Shelter, Urban Alchemy served almost 1,000 unhoused Austinites and assisted 100 guests in finding permanent housing. These 2024 impact numbers highlight the organization’s commitment to supporting unhoused neighbors and creating paths to…
URBAN ALCHEMY ANNOUNCES NEW STUDY ON SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS IN EAST AUSTIN
Urban Alchemy, a San-Francisco based nonprofit that employs citizens returning from incarceration to help heal cities and neighborhoods, is undertaking a landmark study to reduce nonviolent crime in Central East Austin.
Residents at Arch and 8th Street Homeless Shelters to Receive Job Training Through Austin Community College
Unhoused guests staying at the ARCH and 8th Street homeless shelters will soon be able to take a training program in heating and air conditioning maintenance through Austin Community College.
The City of Birmingham Taps Urban Alchemy to Manage a Community-Based Public Safety Program
The City of Birmingham has selected California-based organization Urban Alchemy to lead a new program focused on serving unhoused residents in crisis.
Urban Alchemy Welcomes New CFO: Melek Totah
Urban Alchemy has hired Melek Totah as its new chief financial officer. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofits and publicly traded companies to manage and improve their financial controls and processes.
Urban Alchemy Hires Dr. Lisa De La Rue as Director of Training
Urban Alchemy is announcing that it has hired Dr. Lisa De La Rue to serve as Director of Training. Dr. De La Rue, who holds a PhD in counseling psychology, will be the first person to fulfill this important role.
In the News
SF Mayor Lurie touts 100 days in office – but warns about uncertainty ahead
The nonprofit Urban Alchemy has been integral to efforts to keep open-air drug scenes from popping back up again. Lurie had told the Bay Area Reporter during a recent visit to the Castro that, “We should do the same thing here we have done on Sixth Street, which is make sure we get people off the street and into mental…
Urban Alchemy’s HEART team changes lives on both sides of Birmingham’s homelessness crisis
Three months into its mission, Urban Alchemy’s Homeless Engagement and Response Team—better known as HEART—is making an impact in Birmingham.
S.F. leaders say they’re ‘crashing the party’ on drug markets. Here’s what the data shows
He also praised Urban Alchemy, whose ambassadors patrol intersections and deescalate chaotic street scenes, and Code Tenderloin, which provides job training for homeless residents and formerly incarcerated people.
1 big thing: Mobile opioid treatment
A mobile medical unit is bringing substance-use treatment directly to some of Portland’s unhoused residents as a way to eliminate barriers to care in a city struggling with an addiction and overdose epidemic — and it has expansion in its sights.
On the frontlines of health care, demand is growing for community health workers
One community health worker who credits Takeda’s technology with helping his work become more sustainable is Joe Calderon, a former inmate who served 17 years in prison who has made it his mission to build better outcomes for people in his California community while supporting his family.
City Provides Homeless Update, Announces New Partnerships and Resources
The City Council received an update on homelessness in Culver City. Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Director, introduced a new initiative in partnership with Urban Alchemy. The “LOVE Team” — Leading Outreach with Valued Engagement — is a dedicated outreach team focused on approaching and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
San Francisco’s Big Bet on The Real World
“Trash tells a story,” said Lou Hammonds, Director of Community-Based Public Safety Programs for Urban Alchemy, whom we met at Mint Plaza during the subscriber-only tour in San Francisco last week.
Portland man leaves homelessness to help others through nonprofit work
A man who spent a decade homeless in North Portland is now housed and working at a tiny home village just feet away from where he used to live out of a tent.
HEART Birmingham hits the streets to address homeless concerns
Homelessness is still a concern in Birmingham. On Jan. 6, HEART (Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team) launched to address those concerns.
Birmingham Council Approves $2.6M for Homeless Shelters, Services
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved two contracts totaling $2.69 million in which two groups will provide shelter and support services to residents experiencing homelessness.
Eighth Street Shelter completes first year aiding homeless women and transgender guests
The Eighth Street Shelter in Austin has completed its first year of operation, marking a significant milestone for the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office and its partner, Urban Alchemy.
Impact of L.A. County’s wildfire evacuations ripples into Skid Row
Two weeks ago, she was approached by members of the CIRCLE program, which is aimed at addressing calls for service involving homeless people. She agreed to go to the Weingart Center on Skid Row for a place to stay.