Our History
In March of 1994 Urban Renewal Corp. (URC) a non-profit 501c3, social service organization was formed to meet the exploding homelessness crisis within the city of Newark. With estimates exceeding over 2,500 emergency cases per year, and a shortage of beds, URC quickly found themselves housing over 400 emergency homeless in six different facilities
Our Mission
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 Careers
URC is a non-profit organization of smart, hard working and caring individuals dedicated to helping the economically disadvantaged in Hudson and Essex County New Jersey. Join us and together we can help build a better tomorrow for those in need today.
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Our Story
Urban Renewal Corp (URC) is a community based non-profit organization that has been providing a variety of essential social services to vulnerable populations in New Jersey for almost two decades. URC provides emergency services, primary medical care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, vocational education and job training. URC has emerged as a leader in delivering comprehensive social services for the homeless and economically disadvantaged. Currently URC maintains 6 facilities servicing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing needs. In 2002 we opened the 50,000 sq. foot Urban Renewal Training Center (URTC) to provide an innovative and comprehensive computer education and recycling program to better prepare our students to reenter the workforce as capable and successful individuals.
- Shelter Services 40%
- Career Training 25%
- Residential Release Programs 15%
- Recycling Services 20%
Lane Jacobs
CEO
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Lane is the founder and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. With over 25 years of experience demonstrating positive results in assisting the economically disadvantaged populations of New Jersey.
Most notable is the programs he developed and implemented at our Training and development Center. Lane created a combination of hands on technical training and practical classroom computer literacy. The students are comprised of ex-offenders, homeless and the economically disadvantaged; these individuals learn to be stewards of the environment along with valuable Vocational Skills and Life Skills. Capitalizing on Lane’s creativity, URC was not only able to remarket the refurbished computers, but were also able to send laptops to the soldiers serving in the Middle East.
Lane’s ability to network and share his passion has led to hundreds of partnerships with corporations, schools, and organizations willing to participate and help fund Urban’s programs to support the most vulnerable populations in New Jersey.
Justin Ritter
Director of Workforce Development/Operations Manager
Justin is responsible for overseeing the vocational training and job placement for all students attending The Urban Renewal Corp Training and Development Center (TDC). While Spearheading Urban Renewal Corp’s E-waste Donation and Recycling Green Initiative Program. Justin is also the Director of The Warming Center of Hudson County by overseeing and coordinating social services, transportation, food and shelter services to Homeless population of Hudson county throughout the harsh winter months.
Simone Yarrell
Director of Health and Human Services
Simone started working as a Housing Technician in one of URC’s emergency shelters. Seventeen years later, Simone has risen through the ranks and is now the Director of Health and Human Services at Urban Renewal Corp. Simone is responsible for overseeing all Emergency Housing and Social Service related responsibilities for the homeless population in need of emergency housing, transportation, food, and shelter services.