Urban Ministries of Durham

MISSION & HISTORY MISSION

We connect with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter and a future to neighbors in need.

CORE VALUES Urban Ministries of Durham is committed to offering a service environment that is based on:

• Respect We believe in the inherent dignity and value of all people and believe no one's basic human needs should go unmet. We work to recognize and value each person's strengths and abilities and to welcome and care for people across the diversity of race, gender, religious beliefs and non-belief, and sexual and political orientation.
• Collaboration Recognizing that each person is in charge of their own life, we listen closely, work in partnership and support the ways that those in need help one other. We work in concert with many other organizations to end homelessness and extreme poverty. We believe we all benefit when we use resources efficiently, work as a team, and move forward together.
• Accountability Each person owns the successes and setbacks that result from their choices. We expect each other to live up to the commitments we have made and the goals we have set. We remind everyone in the community of each person's connection to all their neighbors and the duty to make our community more equitable.

SEE WHAT WE DO

Urban Ministries of Durham welcomes more than 6,000 people each year who come seeking food, shelter, clothing and supportive services. UMD is the point of entry, triage and emergency services in the Durham homelessness continuum of care network.

Our programs are designed to: Help prevent homelessness by providing food and clothing to offset living expenses and by referring guests to others in the community who may be able to provide additional help; Assist those who are homeless by providing emergency shelter, stabilization assistance such as recovery programs and medical referrals, and to help them connect with the resources that will enable them to return to stable housing as quickly as possible; Foster collaboration with community partners so that coordinated efforts can provide needed longer term housing and supportive service needs; and Offer support with dignity and compassion to neighbors in need, regardless of their ability to leave homelessness at the time.