About Us
Our Guiding Principles
Rooted in a commitment to equity and social justice, we bridge the gap between community experiences, public policy and academic research, bringing different people and ideas together. We seek to expand equitable and just outcomes, strengthen the voices of often-excluded populations, and improve youth outcomes.
At UrbanKind, we believe:
- Cities should be built for people with people. Cities will prosper when lived experiences of urban life are central to urban planning, design, and decision-making processes.
- The voices and experiences of long-term and low-wealth residents should be involved from the beginning and throughout any urban or community development project.
- Everyone should live in a healthy home and neighborhood.
- Residents who have stuck it out through tough times should be able to stay when their neighborhood changes for the better.
- Lived experience and book smarts are both forms of knowledge. Each is an important part of understanding.
- Young people matter. They should be respected, not feared or dismissed. Their voices should be heard, supported, and empowered to make the changes that they seek.
- Publicly-held land should benefit the public first.
Our Mission
Our mission is to eliminate barriers to family thriving in over-burdened and under-resourced communities.
Our Vision
We do this by centering the voices, lived experiences, goals, and priorities of residents from these communities in the decisions, research, and investments in their communities so that residents are the primary beneficiaries.