Urban Triage is founded and grounded in transformational education and learning that utilizes a framework to support people as they embark on a journey of self-discovery. Our methodology expands self-awareness of the basic structures in which we know, think, and act. From understanding and awareness comes fundamental shifts that directly cause a new kind of freedom and personal POWER, leaving people permanently changed.
"You have changed my life, and I mean that the guidance I received from all of the books, videos, actually practicing what was learned is invaluable. The information you've curated and turned into a class for FREE is beyond unbelievable, and the way you passionately preach and love Black people is so inspiring. How you've created a safe space for Black people to identify and overcome our traumas and connect with each other is POWERFUL. I could go on for days about this woman and her work and how it's given me a new sense of liberation, but I'm going to stop here and say thank you, I believe in you, your mission, and the message, and I'm here for all of it." SHBF participate Click here to learn more.
Our Impact
Provided more than $30.1 Million in rental support and other COVID-19 relief efforts
More than 17,469 individuals and small businesses were served through our coordinated services and efforts.
10,104 families supported
18,340+ meals provided to the community
Your Community Nonprofit; For the People, by the People.
We're on a mission to transform culture, institutions, and communities to ensure a humane future.
Click here for more information.
What You Should Know for the Month of May?
Black Brilliance Gala:
A Night of Elegance, Purpose, and Community Power
Join us for the Black Brilliance Gala on May 31st at 6 PM at the Overture Center for the Arts. This year's theme is Masquerade, and we're bringing bold energy with a color scheme of red, gold, and black.
Join us for a night of inspiration and hope! Volunteer and save 50% on ticket processing by clicking here. This unforgettable evening aims to raise $200,000 to propel Urban Triage's agriculture initiatives and our youth transitional home. Experience the power of storytelling, live entertainment, and an elegant atmosphere. More than just a gala, this is a celebration of resilience, impact, and the brilliance of Black excellence.
Wear your best dress or suit, wear a mask, and head out for a night that gives back and inspires forward.
Purchase Black Brilliance Tickets Today: Click Me. To volunteer and save 50% off your ticket, click here.
Emerging Adults Transitional Home Program:
A Safe Start for Young Adults 18-21
Our Emerging Adults Transitional Home provides a safe, stable place to live for young adults who are aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness. The program helps youth build essential life skills while having a place to call home.
We provide guidance in several areas:
- Crafting meaningful goals and strategizing for a prosperous future.
- Gaining skills to manage finances and thrive independently effectively.
- Seeking employment, completing educational pursuits, and promoting overall well-being.
- Housing, systems navigation, and more
The Emerging Adults residence offers a warm and inviting environment, thoughtfully furnished for comfort. Each young adult enjoys their own space and continuous support from a compassionate team.
Referrals for this program are made through Dane County Human Services.
Your contributions to our Adopt A House Program transform mere structures into welcoming homes. With your generosity, young adults receive the fresh start they need to flourish truly.
Agriculture Program(s):
Cultivating Knowledge, Healing, and Sustainability
As the growing season unfolds, our agriculture programming kicks into high gear—a vital extension of our mission that reestablishes the bond between community members and the land, food, and the journey of healing. Through weekly produce harvests, educational initiatives, and leadership development, this endeavor fosters food sovereignty and enhances wellness, all rooted in hands-on learning and purposeful service.
Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture (SHBA):
Empowering Black Farmers and Future Agricultural Leaders
Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture is a powerful movement to empower Black communities through education and economic opportunity. This program fosters growth in agricultural fields by equipping individuals with essential knowledge and resources. Participants engage in hands-on learning experiences, cultivate leadership skills, and gain an understanding of food systems, all of which sow the seeds for collective healing and the pursuit of food sovereignty.
Learn more and sign up for workgroups here.
Our agricultural program also includes our Hemp Specialty Crop Program for Black Entrepreneurs, a comprehensive program designed to educate and support individuals interested in the hemp industry. This program covers various aspects of hemp cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing, and business strategy, and provides a seed grant for participants who complete the class.
- Introduction to hemp cultivation
- Sustainable farming practices for hemp
- Hemp harvesting and processing techniques
- Quality control and testing procedures
- Hemp product development and marketing strategies
- Business planning and strategy for hemp enterprises
- Farley Center: Located in Verona, this facility provides an ideal learning environment for hands-on hemp cultivation and processing training.
- South Madison Office: Located at 2312 S. Park Street, this location offers classroom sessions and additional practical marketing and business strategy sessions.
- Students accepted into the program will receive a $2500 grant to support their business venture.
For more information, click here.
Want to Learn More? Contact us at info@urbantriage.org for more details on how you can support this initiative!
Youth Drop-In Hours:
A Safe Space for Connection and Support
Urban Triage now offers youth drop-in at 306 E. Wilson St, 2nd Floor, every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM. This welcoming space is designed for youth experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or simply needing a safe, supportive environment. Our drop-in space provides immediate access to connection, stability, and resources that empower young people to feel seen, supported, and secure.
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How You Can Get Involved:
Spread the Word: Help us connect young adults to these vital services by sharing information about our Youth Drop-In Hours with your network.
Stay Informed: Follow us on social media and visit our website for updates on events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support.
Volunteer Your Skills: Give back by mentoring or teaching job readiness, resume building, budgeting, self-care, college applications, and life skills. Drop by!
Donate or Contribute: To enhance our drop-in space for youth. Gift cards, essentials, snacks, etc. O
In other exciting News...Supporting Healthy Black Families Workgroup (SHBF) is starting back up on April 18, 2025. You can still sign up. We couldn't be more excited. SHBF is a 12-week personal leadership & change workgroup that empowers and inspires breakthroughs & transformation in Black people, families & communities. Sign Up Here!
How do we do that?
Application Closes April 28, 2025
Urban Triage Accolades:
Urban Triage's founder and CEO has been honored with a Human Rights Award by Church Women United for her impactful work in housing and advocacy on January 17, 2025. "I am deeply grateful for this recognition from the community that God has called me to serve. Awards carry a different weight from those who matter most—the community. I am truly humbled by the unwavering support and acknowledgment of the incredible efforts of Urban Triage's staff. While my name may be on the award, their dedication and long nights make our mission possible. A heartfelt shout-out to the Urban Triage team!"
Urban Triage Wins the 365 Leadership Community Choice Non-Profit of the Year Award: Madison365 received more than 4,100 votes in their sixth annual 365 Leadership Community Choice Awards, and several categories finished in the closest races ever. The winners were honored at an award show and ceremony on October 28 at the Madison Concourse Hotel. The awards show followed the 365 Leadership Summit, a daylong professional development, community-building, and networking event hosted by 365 Media Foundation, the publishers of Madison365. Urban Triage was honored and humbled by the community's recognition and appreciation of our work.
Urban Triage's Founder/CEO Wins Impact Award: Community Shares of Wisconsin celebrated the work of community leaders and organizations "advancing social and environmental justice in our community" at the Community Change-Maker Awards on Thursday, Sept. 19. This hybrid event took place both in person at Union South in Varsity Hall and online. Our CEO, an inspiring leader who founded Urban Triage in 2019 to address issues such as taste violence, mass incarceration, housing shortages, and police brutality, was honored with the Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award.
Housing Navigation Services
Housing Navigation Services (HNS) is an initiative created in partnership with Dane County Human Services. Our mission is to provide compassionate, caring, and culturally conscious services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. For more information, please click here.
Housing Navigation Hours:
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Housing Navigation During the First Week of Each Month:
- The Beacon Day Shelter (615 East Washington Ave) | From 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Tuesdays | From 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Wednesdays | From 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays: Housing Navigation During the Second, Third, Fourth Weeks of Each Month:
- The Beacon Day Shelter (615 East Washington Ave) | From 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Tuesdays | From 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Thursdays | From 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday:
- South Office (2312 South Park St), walk-in or by appointment | From 8:30 AM - 1:45 PM
- 5 Door Recovery (810 W Olin Ave), 5 Door Recovery clients ONLY | From 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Safe Haven (4006 Nakoosa Trials), every other Wednesday | From 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- (Urban Triage will be at 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703 EVERY 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturday from 9:00AM - 1:00PM)
Thursday - Friday
- South Office (2312 South Park St), by appointment only | From 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Porchlight (306 N Brooks St) | From 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Housing Resource Lists
Urban Triage's Housing Resource Lists replaced the Dane County Vacancy List. The lists are not all-inclusive; they are a resource for searching for housing options. Please feel free to print the PDFs below or use our online search option, which is located here.
Many apartments recorded on our Housing Resource Lists are within the Fair Market Rates (FMR) for Dane County, WI. HUD established these rates to identify affordable housing options.
Please note that Urban Triage and our Housing Navigation Specialists are not responsible for the conditions, terms of leases, or quality of management services of the housing units listed. You are responsible for inspecting and obtaining information about the housing and management services you are interested in. Please be aware that most units listed here are advertisements from the Internet and other online sources.
The Housing Resource Lists:
April Highlights & Impact #'s
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Spring Highlights:
**Youth & Family Engagement:** We are expanding its reach with the launch of our brand-new Youth Transitional Home, now open for business! This initiative provides stable housing and support services for young people navigating homelessness and transitioning out of foster care. Additionally, our Emerging Adults Program is empowering young adults with opportunities to develop skills and leadership while getting the transitional home fully operational.
In April, Urban Triage reached a major milestone with the launch of our Youth Transitional Home—welcoming our very first tenant into safe, supportive housing. This marks the beginning of a transformative journey for youth experiencing housing instability our aging out of foster care.
We also enhance support through our Youth Drop-In Hours at 306 E. Wilson St., where young people can access housing navigation, and resource liaison services. This space provides safety, guidance, and community for youth fleeing domestic violence and aging out of foster care.
**Community Reach:** We participated in eight community events and pop-ups in April, providing resources, support, and organizational information. Over the past month, our housing initiatives served more than 25 individuals. We successfully placed 11 families and individuals experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and strengthened relationships with landlords to create direct access points for vulnerable community members. Among those served, 52 youths received housing navigation support.
**Future Initiatives:** We are developing our interstate collective, a new project across Wisconsin in partnership with Black-led organizations focused on youth homelessness, supported by HUD funding. Our emerging adult house is nearly ready for use, with all renovations completed except for work in the basement. Once the necessary mitigations are finished, we will announce our program staff and hold a press conference with Dane County Human Services.
**Impact Progress:** This April, Urban Triage served 291 community members through our walk-in drop-in hours—each one seeking support, resources, and connection. This number speaks volumes. It reflects the deep, growing need in our community and the trust people place in us to show up—consistently and without judgment.
We continue to push past the barriers placed before us, rising to meet the demand head-on. Our walk-in support isn't just a service—it's a lifeline. And every day, we're reminded why our work matters: because our clients and community desperately need us, and we refuse to let them down.
**Urban Triage** Currently manages over eight housing programs designed to serve individuals and families who are homeless by HUD standards—those living in cars, shelters, or on the streets—or facing imminent homelessness. For more information and eligibility requirements, please visit the "Our Work" tab at the top of our website.
Urban Triage is Hiring!!
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Would you like to work for an organization that empowers and inspires transformation in you and pushes you to new heights? Urban Triage is it!
We're looking to hire highly motivated self-starters who are comfortable centering Black voices and communities.
We offer overtime for our hourly employees and in-house personal & professional development. We pride ourselves in hiring the people we serve. Don't have a degree but have the will to learn and grow? This is the place for you. We are the people's side of nonprofits. We have great benefits, including a $5K to $10K employee wellness plan, dental insurance, life insurance, vision, and eight weeks of paid time off. Executive leadership is offered additional benefits of long-term disability and deferred compensation.
If you are interested in any of these positions, have any questions, or would like a copy of the job description, please email us at info@urbantriage.org.
WE'VE MADE EXTRAORDINARY PROGRESS – AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED
At Urban Triage, we’ve taken bold actions, created groundbreaking programs, and made a direct impact on the lives of countless youth and families by providing them with safe, permanent housing. We’ve fostered a movement that empowers advocacy, leadership, and cooperation, tackling health disparities head-on. Every achievement we've celebrated has been fueled by the generosity of recurring donors and the dedication of volunteers.
Your support makes all the difference. With your ongoing commitment, we can continue to transform lives, heal communities, and pave the way for a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Please consider becoming a sustaining donor today to fuel these life-changing initiatives.
