Urban Resource Institute

11/26/2025

This Thanksgiving, we honor survivors and the community that rises with them.

Help us kick off the journey to Giving Tuesday and support families moving from trauma to triumph. 💜

Link in bio to make a lasting impact - donate today.

11/21/2025

As we observe Homelessness Awareness Month and enter a season of reflection and family, we are reminded that many people carry stories we never see.

For URI’s Tara Lockhart, that story is the memory of her father, Brian “Lucky” Lockhart, a beloved Greenwich Village poet who died homeless at 42. His loss fuels her commitment to helping families find the stability and hope he never had.

Homelessness is not a single moment. It is trauma, resilience, and the fight to rebuild. Every night, thousands turn to URI for safety and support. This is the heart of our Keys to Hope. Keys to Home. campaign.

Read Tara’s story, share it, and help us continue the work of moving families from trauma to triumph during the holidays and beyond. 💛 https://bit.ly/4oeN4ob

11/20/2025

We are proud to celebrate Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute (URI), who was honored with the Social Impact Award at this year’s , a powerful gathering created by founders Sandra Babu-Boateng and Isaac Babu-Boateng. Nathaniel also participated in an inspiring leadership panel alongside Abigail Epane-Osuala, MBA, (Chief Culture & Belonging Officer, HR Strategy; President, GE HealthCare Foundation, GE HealthCare) and Frank Sanders (Vice President, Global Chain, Intel Corporation), moderated by LaShonda Anderson-Williams (Chief Customer & Commercial Officer, Industries, Salesforce).

Join us in congratulating Nathaniel, the honorees, and the BlackStars community. His leadership continues to advance URI’s mission to break cycles of violence, expand pathways to healing, and build futures where survivors and families can thrive.

11/18/2025

URI CEO Nathaniel Fields, Vice President of Government Affairs Lauren Schuster, and Senior Director of Government Affairs Samantha Cardenas were proud to represent URI at SOMOS 2025 in Puerto Rico.

At SOMOS 2025, URI joined lawmakers, advocates, and community partners united around a shared purpose: creating real pathways to safety, healing, and stable housing for survivors and families. With leaders like Assembly Member Harvey Epstein NYS Assembly Member Emérita Torres Make the Road New York NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) The Legal Aid Society Homeless Services United (HSU), we are building stronger and more equitable communities across New York and Puerto Rico.

11/17/2025

Domestic violence affects millions, yet hope grows when communities take action.

Black Enterprise highlights how CEO Nathaniel Fields and Urban Resource Institute are creating pathways to safety, stability, and healing for thousands of families each year.

This is what breaking cycles looks like. 🔗

For staff at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), the mission to prevent domestic violence cases is a year-round endeavor.

11/04/2025

Keys to Hope. Keys to Home. 🔑

When violence forces you out, hope can feel lost — and home can feel unreachable. At URI, we hand you the keys: safety, shelter, stability, and a path from trauma to triumph.

This , your support ensures URI can keep doors open and continue giving families the safety, stability, and hope they need. Donate: urinyc.org.

10/31/2025

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, URI continues to shed light on the ongoing crisis of domestic violence.

In Ms. Magazine’s podcast 'On the Issues with Michele Goodwin', URI’s Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs, discusses how domestic violence remains stubbornly high, reflecting both a lack of awareness and underinvestment in programs designed to disrupt the cycles—often intergenerational—that fuel abuse.

Lauren also highlights how federal policy changes, budget shifts, and ongoing systemic challenges create a chaotic landscape that can make it difficult for advocates to operate effectively. She shares how URI is addressing these challenges through comprehensive, survivor-centered programs.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1171226/episodes/18111624-shattering-the-silence-on-domestic-violence-with-lauren-schuster-and-chris-negri

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10/31/2025

Almost ten years ago, Hope Dawson Sessoms was trying to leave an abusive relationship and find a safe place for her two children and their dog, Coco. She found safety through Urban Resource Institute (URI)’s People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program, which provides co-living spaces and support for people and their pets.

“The thing that keeps us from leaving is the fear. If you are aware that URI and the PALS program exists now, the lie that we don't have any place safe to go is dispelled,” she says.

Read more in People: https://people.com/mom-discovered-new-york-domestic-violence-program-that-allows-people-with-pets-11838642

10/31/2025

Six-year-old Maya arrived at Urban Resource Institute with her mom and little brother, they had nothing but the clothes on their backs and the courage to start over. That first night, warm meals and groceries turned fear into comfort.

With SNAP at risk from the federal shutdown, families need your help. Every donation feeds, shelters, and supports survivors.

Give hope today: urinyc.org

10/31/2025

Recently, Brandon Lloyd, Director of Government Affairs at URI, testified before the NYC City Council in support of funding for Immigration Legal Services for Survivors of Violence and Gender-Based Harm.

We’re grateful to the Council for designating $200,000 in the FY2026 September Transparency Resolution toward this essential initiative—helping immigrant survivors find safety, stability, and justice.

Since 2006, URI’s Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP) has provided trauma-informed legal services to survivors of all backgrounds. As access to federal programs narrows, this local investment ensures that survivors continue to have support when they need it most.

URI remains committed to partnering with the City of New York to protect and empower every survivor. 💜

10/30/2025

Our CEO Nathaniel Fields and Senior VP of Marketing & Communications Toi Eshun joined StartCare's 56th Anniversary Celebration — honoring decades of impact in research, recovery, and public health.

URI stands with StartCare in a shared commitment to building stronger, safer, and more equitable communities — where every individual can heal and thrive.

Great connecting with StartCare CEO Jonnel C. Doris, MPPA, MDIV and Keisha Sutton-James, Manhattan Deputy Borough President!