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 April and May?
What You Should Know: April & May
Urban Triage is proud to share new/recent developments and expanded services designed to meet the needs of our youth and emerging adults.
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 important life skills while having a place to call home.
We offer support with:
- Setting goals and planning for the future
- Learning how to manage money and live independently
- Finding jobs, finishing school, and staying healthy
The home is fully furnished and designed to feel welcoming and comfortable. Each young adult gets their own room and ongoing support from a caring team.
Referrals for this program are made through Dane County Human Services.
Your donations through our Adopt A House Program help make this house a home. With your support, young adults get the fresh start they need to thrive.
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.
This unforgettable evening will raise $200,000 in support of Urban Triage's homeless outreach initiatives. From powerful storytelling to live entertainment and elegant vibes—this is more than a Gala. It's a celebration of resilience, impact, and Black excellence.
Put on your best dress or suit, mask up, and pop out for a night that gives back and inspires forward.
Agriculture Program(s):
Cultivating Knowledge, Healing, and Sustainability
As the growing season begins, so does our agriculture programming—a powerful arm of our mission that reconnects community members to the land, food, and healing. From weekly produce harvests to community education and leadership development, this work builds food sovereignty and strengthens wellness through hands-on learning and intentional service.
Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture (SHBA):
Empowering Black Farmers and Future Agricultural Leaders
Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture is an educational and economic empowerment program that provides Black community members with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive in agricultural spaces. Through hands-on learning, leadership development, and food system literacy, participants plant the seeds for collective healing and food sovereignty
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 PM to 6:00 PM. A welcoming space designed for youth who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or simply need 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.
What's Available?
Computers, TVs, journals, and books: A space to unwind, learn, and rebuild.
Housing Navigation: Guidance on accessing courts, job centers, social security, schools, and other vital services.
Job search assistance: Employment resources
Life skills development: Learning budgeting, self-care, and independence.
Resource liaison support: Personalized help to connect youth with the services they need.
.png)
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: Support youth by donating journals, books, hygiene products, or job search tools to enhance our drop-in space.
What You Should Know: April & May
Our education workgroups are designed to shift lives. Through community, culture, and coaching, participants experience empowerment, transformation, and growth.
Interested in sustainable farming? Our Specialty Crop Workgroup focuses on developing farmers and entrepreneurs through hands-on learning and leadership. Curious about the cannabis Industry?
Learn about Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture (SHBA) and how we're reclaiming land and legacy?
Want to start your journey of healing, growth, and leadership?
Want to Learn More? Reach out to us at info@urbantriage.org for more details on how you can support this initiative!
In other exciting News...Supporting Healthy Black Families Workgroup (SHBF) is starting back up on April 18, 2025. 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!
.png)
How do we do that?
Application Closes March 21, 2025
Weekly Stipends are also provided.
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:
Monday - Tuesday:
- The Beacon Day Shelter (615 East Washington Ave) | From 8:30 AM - 4:30 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
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:
March Highlights & Impact #'s
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.
We also enhance support through our Youth Drop-In Hours at 306 E. Wilson St., where young people can access housing navigation, system 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 four community events and pop-ups in March , providing resources, support, and organizational information. Over the past month, our housing initiatives served more than 249 individuals. We successfully placed 13 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, 68 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 March, The Big Share was a huge planned success! Thanks to the generosity, we raised nearly $30,000 in donations. Throughout February, we called on our supporters to help us continue providing critical services, and you showed up in a big way. Your contributions directly fuel our mission, allowing us to expand advocacy efforts, strengthen housing initiatives, and enhance the resources we provide to individuals and families facing housing instability.
We are incredibly grateful to our donors, community partners, and supporters who continue to believe in our work. Your generosity makes a lasting impact, helping us transform lives and build stronger, more resilient communities. Thank you for standing with us in the fight for equity, empowerment, and sustainable change!
**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!!
.png)
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.
