URBAN RENEWAL CORP – Lending a Helping Hand
URC is a community based non-profit organization that has provided a variety of essential social services to vulnerable populations in New Jersey for over two decades. Our mission is to increase the quality of life for the economically disadvantaged, and to make a permanent and positive change in the life of each person we serve. Our goal is to help people move from homelessness, substance abuse, dependency, and public assistance into permanent employment and stable housing. We serve approximately 2,000 economically disadvantaged individuals/families per year, and have provided comprehensive services to over 100,000 individuals since we were founded in 1994. URC continues to serve a diverse adult population ranging in ages 18-80.
Our holistic “one-stop” approach model includes the provision of comprehensive supportive services, not limited to housing but including case management, vocational training, job placement assistance, food, financial management, mentoring, HIV Rapid Testing and referrals to cognitive behavioral therapy, mental illness counseling, legal services, substance abuse treatment, detox and hospital facilities.
One of our most innovative initiatives is the Urban Renewal Training and Development Center (TDC), which trains disadvantaged individuals in technical skills required by employers in the high-growth fields of computer deconstruction and salvage; computer recycling, repair, and refurbishment; greening the workplace; electronic waste recycling; and information technology. In addition, URTC classes develop computer literacy skills that support success in virtually all occupations that require being computer literate. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has approved URC as an Eligible Training Provider to offer technology trainings in: 1) Computer Literacy: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, 2) Computer Repair, 3) Computer Salvage, and 4) Computer Refurbishing.
TDC participants have the unique opportunity to put classroom learning into practice. Currently, the Center processes approximately 20,000 pounds per week of used electronics and computer monitors; refurbishing potentially functional computers for donation back to community-serving organizations. This level of service provides a large number of learning opportunities for our students to hone their skills and prepare them for a unique niche in the labor market.
We are proactive in the ever-changing world of technological advancement; especially as it relates to the “green industry” in which our work in recycling and employment training have the greatest impact. URC develops hardware and software programs, and is an approved Private Career School listed with the State of New Jersey’s Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Currently Urban Renewal Corp maintains 600 beds in 6 housing facilities for emergency housing.
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Our life skills specialists focus on the needs and concerns of those who have been out of the labor force for an extended time.
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Urban Renewal Corp is a not-for-profit organization that relies on the goodwill of donors along with grants and other funding to keep it’s doors open. We welcome and are grateful for monetary and computer/electronics donations of any kind.
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“”In addition to helping people by finding food and clothing, we really want to be a part of finding long-term solutions to get people off the street,”
“None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody – a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns – bent down and helped us pick up our boots. Thurgood Marshall
“The plight of the homeless population of the City of Newark challenges us as a community and a society. Many of these homeless persons are victims of the home foreclosure crisis, family, or spousal abuse, or addictions. They are at risk for illness and violence. We must address this continuing crisis. . .”
“I know how tough it is when people get out – they may be homeless, have problems with drugs or alcohol, no money, no food, clothes or washing facilities, mental health issues and a poor social network if they have one at all – and they constantly get judged on their record. They may be unaware of some of these issues or simply have no idea where to start, so we’re quite hands on with trying to help. We do whatever that person needs – there’s no one size fits all.”
Urban Renewal Headquarters