Urbanlife initiatives
How our holistic approach develops our youth spiritually, physically, academically and professionally.
Over the past decade, UrbanLife has COME TO UNDERSTAND the importance of taking a holistic approach to youth development.
Core to our mission are two things:
Our students engaged in real, authentic, friendships with each other and with healthy adults who care about every aspect of their lives.
Developing leadership capacity within our young friends who we know will be the change agents of tomorrow, both in their neighborhoods and beyond.
Our youth development strategy
SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT
NURTURE THE SPIRIT
UrbanLife provides safe spaces for students to Encounter God, Encourage Healthy Relationships, and Engage ‘Hood at UrbanLife Central. Youth are invited to become active participants in their own faith journey, to commit to developmental relationships with peers and Christian leaders, and are challenged to live out their faith by serving their community through service projects and community outreach.
PHysical
development
STRENGTHEN THE BODY
Urbanlife provides youth with safe spaces for aerobic activity, health education, and nutrition education at UrbanLife’s City Heights Runners. Our students engage in after-school activities to move their bodies in a way that develops their awareness and desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and also develops their understanding of nutritional standards and how to practically apply them in their lives.
ACADEMIC
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOP THE INTELLECT
UrbanLife helps develop the minds of our students by providing them access to academic tutoring, English Language Development, and college admissions guidance at UCAN (UrbanLife College Achievement Network). Students engage in after-school tutoring on a weekly basis and in ELD through our summer reading programs. High School students participate in college readiness, FAFSA education, and college application workshops.
Professional Development
EQUIP FOR THE CALL
UrbanLife equips youth for their future by providing them with safe spaces to develop their leadership skills and gain meaningful first-time-job experience at UrbanLife Cafe and UrbanLife Farms. In our year-round workforce development internships, students learn about professionalism, customer service, critical thinking and problem solving, as well as communication and teamwork. Students also receive interview support and resumé building skills and learn about finances and budgeting.
Invested 73,000 hours in developmental relationships with youth
Over 1,700 youth have engaged in faith-journeys
Spiritual Development
Invested 10,000 hours in coaching young athletes through running
Over 511,000 miles ran by youth athletes
Physical Development
Invested 1,500 hours in academic tutoring and college prep
Over 400 students' educational trajectories impacted
Academic Development
Invested 12,732 hours in youth workforce development training
Over $530,000 in stipends and wages paid to youth