Urban Initiatives (formerly the Institute for Urban Research and Development) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that consists of several community-based and faith-based institutes that respond to the economic, housing, and social needs of neighborhoods, cities, and counties from local community, regional, national, international, and faith-based perspectives.

Urban Initiatives has completed over 40 community-based assessments for local government and private organizations throughout Southern California. Assessments have focused on affordable housing, business development and education for micro-businesses, fair housing, health care, homelessness, human trafficking, migrant farming, and street vending.

Urban Initiatives has established several community-based and faith-based institutes that provide a wide-range of community research, education, evaluation, and development activities that include the following:

• Institute for Community Psychology

Institute for Community Psychology (ComPsych) studies, designs, and implements assessments, policies, and programs that help community institutions and systems of care improve the quality of life of local neighborhoods. Activities have focused upon domestic violence, health care, homelessness, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment.

For More Information Please Contact Sofia Herrera, PhD at sofiaherrera@urban-initiatives.org.

• Institute for Transnational Research and Development (ITRD)

Institute for Transnational Research and Development is dedicated to the transformation of communities by engaging members in reflection and action that is based firmly in their contexts. ITRD understands the inter-connectivity of communities across national borders, thereby working to strengthen their natural networks and flows. Click here to see list of current projects (PDF).

For More Information Please Contact Grace Dyrness, PhD at gracedyrness@urban-initiatives.org.

• Institute for Vital Economic and Neighborhood Development

Institute for Vital Economic and Neighborhood Development (VEND) facilitates neighborhood economic revitalization by creating viable employment and income generating opportunities through the development of successful worker-owned, small business enterprises.

For More Information Please Contact Joe Colletti, PhD at joecolletti@urban-initiatives.org.

• Office for Urban Initiatives

In addition, Urban Initiatives has established the Office for Urban Initiatives in partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary which is located on the seminary campus. It provides opportunities for students and others from various educational institutions and other community organizations to strengthen their understanding of urban issues through collaborative research and community service. For more information click here.