Be a part of something greater

Helpless and hopeless are two words weighing heavy on all of us this year. But while the downs may be unavoidable, the magic doesn’t have to disappear completely.

Grounded in impact, filled with love, and elevated by the community, our Hope for the Holidays/Kwanzaa Initiative is your chance to be part of something greater. When COVID-19 fails to recognize special occasions, families impacted can't afford warm dinners, gifts, or winter clothes. This year, the additional financial hardships caused by the pandemic are making celebrations feel even more out of reach.

You can be the silver lining that everyone needs right now. Adopt/sponsor a family/ families by way of purchasing items on their wish list, providing rental support, and/or by sponsoring Kwanzaa kits, meals, and/or vision board kits.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for Rental Supports, sponsor a minimum of 25 families (wishlist), provide 60 Kwanzaa Kits, provide 60 families with a Holiday dinner, and provide 60 families with a vision board kit. 

This year Urban Triage has organized 7 days of virtual events celebrating each Kwanzaa principle. And, because our organization is rooted in transformative education--each day we'll share a principal/concept based on our methodology for healing.

On Dec 26, 2020, we'll kick off Kwanza with the delivery of Kwanzaa kits and dinner for 60 to 75 families. 

In celebration of the first principle of Umoja (Unity). At 6 pm that night we'll host a live/zoom event and we'll light the first candle of the Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles).

Every night thereof, for 6 nights we'll host an online event of the community lighting of each candle of the Mishumaa Saba. Each representing a different principle.

On December 31, 2020, we'll bring in the New Year together. We'll light the 6th candle for Kuumba (creativity) and host a vision board party. Providing 60 to 75 vision board kits to families.

On January 1st, 2021, we'll host a panel discussion in celebration of our last night and candle lighting for Imani (faith). What can we do as a community to support those who are in desperate need of community? What are our community agreements to cause and create a new possibility for the Black community, specifically, Black children and youth?

What is Kwanzaa?

It's an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and indeed, the world African community, it is imperative now more than ever that we are intentional in educating our community on the account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols, and practice.

It is the desire of Urban Triage to provide information that reveals and reaffirms the integrity, beauty, and expansive meaning of the holiday and thus aids in our approaching it with the depth of thought, dignity, and sense of specialness it deserves.

This year, as a community, we'll engage Kwanzaa as an ancient and living cultural tradition which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person, community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people's culture. It is within this understanding, we're launching 7 days of celebrating us from December. 26,2020 thru January 1, 2021.

Every day of Kwanzaa we'll celebrate family, humanity, and community by organizing activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and lmani (Faith). We'll celebrate with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives, and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles and other central cultural values.

Join us in centering Black Lives, Black heritage, and the Black community.