One of the great privileges of Urban Community Life is hearing from past participants. These updates are a reminder that Urban Community life isn’t just a program – It’s a family.

This spring a call came from one of our alumni moms. Her son, Tyrese, was graduating high school, and she wanted me to be part of it. She said,, “Mr Sweeney, you are one of the reasons my son is graduating, and I would really love for you to be there. After the ceremony, Tyrese proudly showed me the two honor chords he received for his involvement in agricultural activities as president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter – a passion that begin in our program.

Those phone calls mean all the world to us. What they say about the relationship Urban Community Life has with our participants is profound. We’re not here for a summer – we’re here for life. The mom with the invitation to graduation, the participant who asked me to officiate his wedding, the two young men who now have their own children (who called to confirm a regular lunch date), and the young man who called to say that he gave his life to Christ and would like to return to film our work are all testaments to the impact of our program.

Urban Community Life is Tyrese, Dequavius, Demauri, Derico, Demarcus, Kylie, DJ

Brighton, Keller, Caden and hundreds of others that have shared our table (a table first provided by Patti, who is now resting in peace, and who I think of each time we gather). It is all of us sharing so much and believing so much and wanting so much good for one another.  It is the story of people saving each other.

Urban Community life is a collective story, the story of all of us together.  Every volunteer, donor, and young person plays a part in how God is living out the gospel through each of us.

As we enter this new season, our Board of Directors feel strongly that it’s time to launch a capital campaign – a significant and faith-filled step forward for Urban Community Life.  Construction has already began on our new, multi-purpose bunkhouse, a vital part of our vision to expand both our reach and our impact. This facility will provide housing for 30 young people, initially serving our summer program and, in time, expanding into a year-round work-study program. The bunkhouse will become more than a building – it will be a place where a young people can grow, learn, and experience transformation through faith, hard work, and community.

We believe this is a defining moment for Urban Community Life  and we invite you to partner with us. Your support will help us complete this project and continue providing life-changing opportunities for the youth we serve. We need individual gifts, Sponsorships, and Community Partnerships to help us move forward. Your support will allow Urban Community life to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and continue transforming lives.

Together, we can keep this story going.

Urban Community Life,  a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.