![UA braves the cold weather to make connections to the people in Edison neighborhood.](https://mcconimore2.lkfhosting.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/outreach-banner.jpg)
Outreach
Connecting with the community happens one individual relationship at a time.
Active Engagement
The lifeblood of Urban Alliance’s mission is Outreach. Through active engagement, we work to unite communities, foster inclusivity, empower those whose voices are often unheard, and ensure every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.
Earning Trust
Rather than operating with a “come to us” mindset, Urban Alliance takes a boots-on-the-ground approach to connect with our friends in their neighborhoods, working to earn trust, building meaningful relationships, and showing genuine care and irrational hope.
Cultivating Collaboration
Our outreach also emphasizes community barbeques, safe trunk or treats, holiday meals, and collective gatherings. These events bring community organizations, churches, local businesses, and the neighborhood together for fellowship. They also provide invaluable opportunities to cultivate collaboration and space to grow a greater sense of unity.
Our Current Outreach Efforts
Street Outreach
The purpose of Urban Alliance’s Street Outreach is simply to care for people, rather than see them as broken and needing to be fixed.
Life Camps
Turning away from destructive decisions and forging a path away from gun violence is the main focus of Urban Alliance’s Life Camp offerings.
![Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is a partner of Urban Alliance.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/outreach2.jpg)
![Two volunteers hug at an outdoor Urban Alliance event.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/outreach1.jpg)
![A volunteer teaches two neighborhood children how to play chess.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/outreach3.jpg)
![A young family participates in a holiday event.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/outreach4.jpg)
![A young man reflecting and writing an exercise while participating in Life Camp.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/outreach5.jpg)
![UA volunteer braves the cold to talk to people in the Edison neighborhood.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gallery-jeff-stevens2.jpg)
![Brightly colored paper dolls symbolize that we're all different but equally worthy.](https://urbanalliancekalamazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Donate-footer.jpg)