More than 96% of our staff, including members of our leadership, have been incarcerated and/or experienced homelessness.
They have been changed by experiences of trauma and deprivation. Nearly 92% of our staff identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. Our model works because Urban Alchemy Practitioners share a profound connection with society’s most vulnerable and see themselves in their struggles.
This connection works both ways: When individuals struggling on the streets see Practitioners who look like them, they understand that we come to them without judgment. As a result, our Practitioners are able to build connections within the community based on empathy and mutual respect.
The relationships that flourish out of these shared experiences enable Practitioners bring health and safety to communities by fostering positive behavior, activating public spaces, and connecting residents to local resources. Their presence on the streets also helps neighborhood residents feel safe, knowing that Urban Alchemy Practitioners have a positive effect on those with whom they interact.
