Executive Summary
URGENT, Inc. stands for Urban Renewal Greater Enhancement National Team. The organization was founded in 1994 to empower and revitalize urban communities. URGENT, Inc. aims to provide the opportunities for urban residents to develop the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to create and shape urban renewal within their communities.
Since 1999, URGENT Inc. has empowered youth and families through its Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Academy. The Academy is an intensive, focused and sustained effort which empowers youth with the knowledge, skills and abilities to transition successfully from childhood to adulthood. At the same time, the Academy offers support and training to caregivers so that the youth in their care may become productive, positive and contributing members of society.
RITES OF PASSAGE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY
The mission of the Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Academy is to empower youth with a developed sense of purpose and meaning in which to live their lives. In doing so, we assist young people in attaining the knowledge and accepting the responsibilities, privileges and duties of an adult member of society and promote positive, effective life choices.
SERVICES
URGENT, Inc. provides youth with a series of skill development workshops including training modules on the following topics: personal development, personal health and hygiene, creating positive relationships, business and economic literacy, civic engagement, conflict resolution, the power of creativity, career development, academic achievement, environmental appreciation, real life 101-independent living skills and technology literacy. Workshops are offered after school 2-4 times a week for 2 hours. Workshops are enhanced through case management, skill building retreats, outings and community service projects. For caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren, we offer an 8-week parenting skills course, support groups, family bonding workshops and family outings.
CLIENTS
The target population for participation in the ROP Academy has been predominately Black and Haitian youth and families who reside in the communities of Overtown, Liberty/Model City, Little Haiti and Goulds.
STAFF
All staff and adult volunteers are background screened by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Mandatory trainings for all direct service staff include Child/Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence identification and reporting and First Aid and CPR certification.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In the past three years, participants in have shown:
- 78% improved rate of school attendance
- 63% improvement in grade point averages
- 84% reduction in school suspensions and referrals
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Urgent, Inc. is now working with Miami-Dade County’s Infill Housing Initiative by building affordable single family homes. This initiative is an innovative housing effort administered by Miami-Dade Housing Agency to revitalize neighborhoods by expanding homeownership opportunities in urban areas.