OUR MISSION

Group of seven women standing outside a building with a sign that says 'the workshop' and a large QR code displayed.

urban university’s mission is to improve the socio-economic status of impoverished individuals by providing employability training, transitional employment and housing opportunities.

Our strategic vision is to create long-term change by breaking the cycle of poverty, offering housing solutions, and developing pathways for upward mobility. With support from community and corporate partners, urban university is building a stronger, more resilient future for families in need.

OUR VALUES

  • Four women in a conference room with empty charts on the wall, preparing for a presentation or workshop.

    EDUCATE.

    We deeply believe that education is key to providing single mothers a firm foundation for success in life. Our employment social enterprise and learning space are “living classrooms” where lived expertise is honored and optimized with new skills through hands-on experiences, sharing, reflective coaching and leadership opportunities.

  • A woman with glasses sewing fabric on a white sewing machine in a craft room with various decorations and tools around her.

    EMPLOY.

    We are passionate about guiding single mothers living in poverty onto the pathway to self-sufficiency. By offering transitional   employment in our employment social enterprise, single mothers are able to develop the skills, experience, and confidence needed to secure a better future.  

  • A woman and a young girl standing inside a store surrounded by shelves filled with bags, textiles, and art pieces. The woman is smiling and wearing a blue sweatshirt with a children’s design, and the girl is holding a small object, smiling, wearing a colorful dress and sneakers.

    EMPOWER.

    We believe that single mothers are empowered when they have access to resources and options. We provide self-esteem building activities, coaching, resource navigation and housing opportunities that promote resilience to help single mothers navigate life’s challenges and opportunities. 

WHAT WE DO

A diagram titled 'Ecosystem of Care' showing interconnected circles labeled Coaching, Care, Employment, Housing, and Learning, with arrows indicating a continuous cycle. The top left corner features the Urban University logo and slogan.

We provide an ecosystem of care that contributes to the social and economic well-being of marginalized individuals, community-based organizations and local employers. We define “ecosystem of care,” as the interdependent program components of our organization that we deliver to address the root causes among unhoused single mothers with complex social and economic needs.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Employment Programs:

Single Moms at Work: A cohort-based six month on-the-job training and employment success program for single mothers transitioning from public assistance into gainful employment. Delivered at urban furniture and boutique – uu’s resale clothing, housewares and art boutique located in the heart of Oakland – single mothers learn retail, customer service, ecommerce and sewing skills, and receive weekly professional development coaching.

Single Moms Pathway Program : A six month interim housing program for unhoused single mothers seeking transitional housing and support. Delivered in partnership with A Diamond In the Ruff, Oakland Elizabeth House and the City of Oakland’s Family Homelessness Challenge Grant, single mothers receive interim housing along with intensive case management and learning opportunities as they strive towards permanent housing.

Housing Programs:

Single Moms Sewing Project: A twelve week hands-on sewing project for unhoused single mothers that offers sewing instruction with a focus on upcycling textiles into new consumer products. Single mothers learn basic sewing skills to create unique products along with business basics.

Moms On a Mission: A 24 month below-market transitional housing program for unhoused employed single mothers and children seeking longer-term housing and supportive services. Delivered in partnership with A Diamond In the Ruff, Moms On a Mission at ArleneAnn House is designed to lift working single mothers into their hopeful future.

Program Highlight

A smiling woman with glasses, wearing a black apron with a tree logo, standing on a yellow step ladder in a vintage clothing store. She is holding a shelf with folded fabrics, pillows, and a red dress hanging on the wall behind her.

The Single Moms at Work Program provides a comprehensive support system for single mothers in under-resourced communities, offering employment, transitional housing, and wrap-around services to help them build a path out of poverty. By providing workforce development, housing stability, and personalized coaching, this unique program empowers women to create lasting change for themselves and their children.

We believe that education is key to providing mothers a firm foundation for success in life. Our stores provide a “living classroom” where they develop business skills through hands-on training. Our urban learning center helps moms advance their academic and employability skills.

We are passionate about guiding caregivers living in poverty onto the pathway to self-sufficiency. Through transitional employment in our stores, they develop the skills, experience, and confidence needed to obtain livable wage jobs.

We believe that both personal and professional empowerment is essential to overcoming poverty for single moms. We provide self-esteem and soft skills training along with individualized coaching to help them navigate life’s challenges and opportunities.