Our Mission
Helping Birmingham youth grow through academic support, healthy living, creative arts, and character development.
Who we are
Urban Kids is located at the Urban Ministry building in the heart of the West End Community, across from Hemphill Elementary School. We have served Birmingham youth with free enrichment programs for more than 20 years. Currently we operate our After-School program four days a week and a Summer Learning Program for rising fourth and fifth graders for seven weeks during the summer.
Our Staff
Urban Kids employs one full-time director, Dorothiann McCray; part-time staff assistants Gary, Larry and Lindsay; and over 100 adult and student volunteers, including Birmingham-Southern College Education students.
Who we serve
Each year, we enroll 30 third through eighth grade children and youth. We also serve their families through our compassion and wholeness programs and the Three Kings Christmas program. This year, we will enroll an additional 30 3rd-4th grade students for an intensive summer learning program.
- 100% of our students come from families living at or below the poverty line.
- Over the past year, we served at least 10 children with a parent who is or has been incarcerated.
- 13 of our families have moved at least once in the past year
Recent student accomplishments
- Nine of our students are in advanced classes
- Students have won competitions in essay writing, science, math, and video production
- Six kids have been admitted to schools with accelerated academic programs
- Students have received numerous academic and citizenship awards
Program achievements
- No school suspensions in the past year
- No students in the juvenile system
- Significant improvements in grade averages
- Successful matriculation of every student
- Significant increase in conflict resolution through non-violent, respectful interaction