Empowering Communities Through Urban Renewal
Urban Renewal Corp. (URC) is a community-based non-profit organization located in Newark, NJ. URC has been providing a variety of essential social services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Essex County, New Jersey, for over 30 years. URC is the largest single emergency housing provider in New Jersey, offering over 500 emergency and transitional beds. We work with a high-quality network of partners to provide a holistic “one-stop-shop” model, which includes the provision of comprehensive supportive services, such as housing, case management, vocational training, job placement assistance, food and other basic necessities, financial empowerment education, mentoring, Rapid HIV Testing, and referrals to mental health, substance use, legal, and medical services. Partners include the City of Newark, Essex County, Rutgers University, Essex County College, Beth Israel Medical Center, the New Jersey Department of Corrections, and the New Jersey Department of Labor.
Our Mission
To increase the quality of life for the economically disadvantaged and to make a permanent and positive change in the lives 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 3,000 economically disadvantaged individuals per year and have provided comprehensive services to over 100,000 individuals since our inception in 1994. URC serves a diverse population of male and female-identifying single homeless individuals ages 18+, including those living with HIV, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those struggling with mental health and addiction issues.
In line with our mission of helping create positive change in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness, we believe it is essential to weave the perspective of individuals with lived experiences of homelessness into our service continuum. URC hires many formerly homeless individuals and former URC clients, helping to demonstrate to our community that positive change is possible. Many of our clients express how empowering it is to receive services from someone who has walked in their shoes.
In late 2024, URC began engaging in critical conversations around long-term sustainability and succession planning. Out of those conversations, we developed a path forward. We are in the process of hiring a new senior leadership position to help support the administrative functions and capacity-building of the organization. We are excited about this next chapter and are looking for partners to help ensure that homeless individuals in the greater Newark area have access to the tools they need to live successful lives in their communities. We recognize that homelessness is not going away soon, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, we know that the services we provide at URC are critical now more than ever before. We are committed to ensuring that URC is here to respond to the needs of our community and is a part of the solution to eliminating homelessness in the Newark community.
Snapshots of Hope: The Faces of Urban Renewal
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Reclaiming Resources, Restoring Lives
Donate Your E-Waste
By the end of the decade, billions of computers and electronic waste will need recycling—discarded items many see as worthless. But with a keen eye, value and purpose emerge. Similarly, within our homeless and economically challenged communities lies untapped talent waiting to be realized. We’re dedicated to creating jobs and opportunities for at-risk individuals ready to make a positive impact on their lives and our environment.
Urban Renewal Staff
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 programs. Justin is also the Director of The Warming Center of Essex County, he oversees and coordinates social services, transportation, food and shelter services to the Homeless population of New Jersey.
Simone Yarrell
Simone Yarrell
Director of Health and Human Services
Simone started working as a Housing Technician in one of URC’s emergency shelters. Twenty 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.
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