News
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The latest news from Urban Alliance
We invite you review the latest update from Urban Alliance, including a welcome to new Executive Director Terra Bautista, updates from our Outreach, Supports and Recovery, and Connections teams, an invite to Life Camps, and much more. Read the full update here.
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New executive director takes over at Urban Alliance
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Urban Alliance has selected Terra Bautista to fill its Executive Director role. Bautista is well-versed in the operations and mission of Urban Alliance, having served on the organization’s Board of Directors since 2017. She served as Board Secretary in 2018 and as Board Chair from 2020 until transitioning into her new role. Former Executive…
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Why public safety officials say gun violence is decreasing in Kalamazoo
Gun violence decreased in Kalamazoo in 2022, down drastically from a spike in 2020 and 2021. Why? According to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety leadership, a stepped-up outreach to youth in the community and a new intervention program have contributed to the decline. “If you look at our stats, lately, since August, it’s been just…
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Urban Alliance to begin search for new executive director
KALAMAZOO, MI — Urban Alliance announced it will begin searching for its next executive director later this year with Chris Pompey stepping down from the position in early 2023. The organization is looking for a leader with a deep passion for service as well as a thorough understanding of Urban Alliance’s service and impact on…
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‘Returned Citizen’ Turned Entrepreneur to Share Experiences Sept. 14
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Urban Alliance and Southwest Michigan First invite the public to a powerful evening with trailblazing entrepreneur and author Keidrain Brewster on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. Brewster will share his compelling story of transformation from incarceration to successful business ownership at The Catalyst Center in The Warner Building, 180 E. Water…
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St. Luke’s Distributes Free Diapers to Kalamazoo Families
We’ve already seen and continue to see parents in Michigan and all over, struggling right now as some are dealing with the effects of Covid, inflation, staff shortages, baby formula shortages, and other struggles that parents face every day. As everyone continues to try and navigate these struggles the best way possible and many organizations…
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Urban Alliance Prepares for Second Youth Camp Addressing Gun Usage Narrative
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — An organization in Kalamazoo will host a day camp tomorrow to address gun violence. Urban Alliance typically focuses its outreach on adults. Now, the focus has shifted to youth ages 11-16 to break the cycle of gun violence in the Kalamazoo community. “We are grateful for the opportunity to gather local youth…
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A ‘Peace Smoke’ in Edison Brings a Community to Resources for Healing From Gun Violence
It was a Saturday afternoon peace smoke in the Edison neighborhood. Kids were having a blast in the Elmo bounce house, the DJ was leading dancers in the “Cha-Cha Slide,” One Man and a Grill was filling the air with the smoke of about a ton of rib tips, hamburgers, chicken, and more. The music…
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Urban Alliance Youth Camps to Address Gun Usage Narrative
KALAMAZOO, MI – Three camps designed for teens and preteens will work to help break the cycle of gun violence. The three Life Camps in Kalamazoo run by Urban Alliance, Inc, are designed for people ages 11 to 16 to help guide kids away from gun violence. The theme of the camp is “Hands are…
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Kalamazoo nonprofit leader gets creative to overcome generational poverty
As the new leader of Kalamazoo-based Urban Alliance, Chris Pompey wants to take more creative approaches to overcoming generational poverty. Pompey, who’s been with the organization in various roles since 2018 and was named permanent executive director last month, sees opportunities to lead more social enterprises that help people find meaningful work. In addition to…
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Urban Alliance Promotes Pompey to Executive Director
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — After serving as Interim Executive Director of Urban Alliance, Inc. for the past five months, Gadson “Chris” Pompey has been named as the organization’s Executive Director effective immediately. Pompey formerly served as the nonprofit’s Director of Prevention prior to replacing Luke Kujacznski in an interim capacity in May. “Urban Alliance is thrilled…
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Enroll NOW for Urban Alliance’s upcoming Momentum program!
The Momentum program is a 3-week work development program that intends to teach the hard skills of obtaining a job and the soft skills of keeping a job. Individuals who desire to participate in Momentum must be 18 years or older and have barriers towards employment.
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Join Urban Alliance for an upcoming CNC Academy
The intro to CNC Academy is a two week training program that will give you the technical skills required to successfully work in advanced manufacturing as a CNC operator. Program participation requires a State or County ID, social security card, and ability to pass drug screening upon acceptance into the program.
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Nonprofit brings in shower trailer for Kalamazoo’s homeless population
KALAMAZOO, MI — In an effort to provide those without access to what many take for granted, Urban Alliance is hosting the first of two free August shower events later this week. The Kalamazoo-based nonprofit is partnering with Mel Trotter Ministries out of Grand Rapids and will be utilizing the Grand Rapids’ organization’s shower trailer from…
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Urban Alliance appoints interim executive director
An economic development nonprofit in Kalamazoo chose an interim leader as it searches for its next permanent executive director. Kalamazoo-based Urban Alliance said Tuesday that it appointed Chris Pompey to the role of interim executive director. Pompey formerly served as the nonprofit’s director of prevention. He replaces Luke Kujacznski, who served as executive director for…
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Urban Alliance Appoints Interim Executive Director
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Urban Alliance, Inc. has appointed Chris Pompey to the role of Interim Executive Director. Pompey formerly served as the nonprofit’s Director of Prevention prior to replacing Luke Kujacznski, who served as Executive Director for six years before leaving the organization in May. “Urban Alliance is very disappointed to say good-bye to Luke,” Pompey said.…
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Urban Alliance Begins an Exciting New Chapter
Dear friends, As with the rest of the world, Urban Alliance has undergone tremendous change over the last year. From how we operate day-to-day, to the types of supports we offer, our what, where, when and how have been in constant stages of refinement. We have also experienced many changes to our who at Urban…
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Urban Alliance in Kalamazoo plans to hold monthly diaper drives
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Urban Alliance, a Kalamazoo non-profit, planned to distribute thousands of diapers every month to families with young children. Their first drive was held from 9 a.m. until around noon Thursday, May 13, 2021. Families drove by Urban Alliance’s location at 1009 E. Stockbridge Ave. and received 50 diapers and a box of…
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Vaccinating homeless population, moving them into new temporary housing in Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Residents of the Mills Street homeless encampment in Kalamazoo were packing up and heading to their new temporary home Monday, March 8, 2021. Volunteers were helping residents move out of the encampment to a location in Kalamazoo where they could find temporary housing until May 31. Residents who moved in did not want…
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Urban Alliance joins Northside Association, Kalamazoo Promise to expand job training programs
KALAMAZOO, MI — The Northside neighborhood’s vocational training center is expanding programs with a new partnership, the Northside Association for Community Development announced. The Neighborhood-Based Technical and Vocational Skills Training Center, launched by the Kalamazoo Promise and the NACD, will now include advanced manufacturing technical training thanks to a new partnership with Urban Alliance. Urban Alliance…