What We Do

Mission

Urban Upbound is dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City public housing and other low-income neighborhoods. We provide underserved youth and adults with the tools and resources needed to achieve economic prosperity and self-sufficiency through five comprehensive, integrated programs: Employment Services, Financial Counseling, Income Support Services, Community Revitalization, and Financial Inclusion services anchored by the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union. 

Our services target 30,000 individuals living in public housing neighborhoods through multiple program sites in Queens, the South Bronx, and East Harlem. Working with city agencies, business, community partners, volunteers, and residents, we foster a culture of opportunity driven by each community’s natural assets (e.g. networks, existing public/private investment, media focus, etc.).

History

Urban Upbound was founded in 2004 by Bishop Mitchell Taylor, a lifelong resident of Queensbridge Houses, with the intention to develop high-quality services that address resident-identified needs. In the past thirteen years, the organization has grown to serve 15,000 youth and adults living in public housing and other low and moderate income neighborhoods in Queens, Harlem, and the Bronx. 

Through an intensive case management approach, clients are engaged for long periods of time and services are fully integrated so all clients have access to the full array of Urban Upbound’s services. Our programs include: Employment Services for youth and adults, Financial Counseling, Income Support Services. Community Revitalization, and Financial Inclusion. The Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union is an important pillar of the Urban Upbound model and an anchor in the community, connecting Queens residents to financial products that promote long-term asset building and economic mobility that are not available through traditional mainstream banks.