Urban Resource Institute

Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities, particularly those from communities of color and other marginalized populations, to break free from cycles of violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma. URI strives to increase safety and resilience for these groups.

As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the US, URI currently oversees 14 domestic violence shelters, accommodating 1,527 adults and children every night, as well as pets through its innovative People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program. URI offers a range of programs for prevention and intervention, as well as holistic services to help clients rebuild their lives. These services include housing placement, economic empowerment and workforce training, counseling, legal assistance, and crime victim support.

Within its residential programs, URI operates both emergency shelters, which provide immediate support for survivors leaving abusive environments, and transitional family shelters, which offer longer-term accommodations as survivors work towards a sustainable future. URI's commitment to a holistic approach is evident in its various initiatives. The Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP) is a trauma-informed program for partners who abuse, while the Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) and Early RAPP focus on prevention by educating middle and high school youth about healthy relationships.

Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, URI has worked tirelessly to ensure client and staff safety through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), extensive safety protocols, enhanced cleaning, and necessary processes. Additionally, wi-fi has been installed in all sites to facilitate remote learning, training, and other services.