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People

ALL Children and Families Will Be Stable and Thriving

Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) is a national nonprofit organization with nearly five decades of experience sparking transformation in communities that are ripe for opportunity and investment. Since our founding in 1978 in St. Louis, Missouri, we have become a trusted partner in advancing people-centered, place-based solutions connecting housing, community, and economic development.

We lead with care and conviction, designing, managing, and implementing bold strategies that dismantle barriers to opportunity. Our work is grounded in the belief that all families deserve to live in safe, vibrant communities where they can grow, contribute, and thrive.

The Roadmap to Family Support

The People Plan

Building stronger communities, from the inside out. We believe sustainable transformation must begin within. Our impact model is designed to strengthen human capital and housing while simultaneously improving the physical and economic infrastructure of communities.

For Mid-City, this looks like hosting social service networks to increase access to former and future Lloyd Oaks/Dixie Drive residents and implementing USI’s Family Supportive Services (FSS) model. In our FSS model, we focus on six interconnected areas that reflect the complexity of people’s lives and the systems they navigate from cradle to career and beyond:

Education & Careers

We support multigenerational pathways to educational excellence and career mobility. By closing the opportunity gap, connecting families to schools, and strengthening education systems, we create lifelong ladders of learning and self-determination.

Health & Wellness

Whole-person wellness is foundational. We integrate health and wellness into every facet of our work—connecting families to primary care, nutrition education, mental health supports, and community-based healing practices.

Economic Contribution

We foster economic stability by expanding access to employment, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building opportunities. From workforce development to small business financing, we activate the engines of local economies and create space for families to thrive.

Community Partnerships

Transformation is only possible through trust. We convene cross-sector coalitions that center the voices and needs of residents. Together, we build solutions that are collaborative, adaptive, and built to last.

Family & Housing Stability

Safe, affordable, and dignified housing is a human right. We support families throughout relocation and redevelopment, and we help them return to revitalized, mixed-income communities with the resources they need to succeed.

Civic & Community Engagement

Across all our work, we elevate resident voice and agency. We ensure community members are not just heard—but honored as co-creators of change, decision-makers, and stewards of the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can USI offer to my family and me in our community?

At USI, we understand the challenges faced by families in our targeted communities. Our Family Support program offers a range of direct resources, from workforce education to health and wellness programs, tailored to empower and uplift your family toward stability and growth.

In our Family Support program, we understand that every family comes with its own set of experiences, challenges, and concerns. We focus on providing support that respects each family’s culture and unique situation. Instead of treating families like cases to be managed, our goal is to work together to meet your family’s needs in a way that brings about lasting change, ensuring fairness and opportunities for all in the community.

We believe in the power of your voice and the agency of those we serve. The USI approach involves active community engagement where your opinions serve as a guide. Families are integral to the decision-making process, fostering a collaborative and all-encompassing environment for community improvement.

We value your lived experiences and decisions, and we want to support you and the systems you encounter in your journey to becoming stable and thriving.

We’re committed to your economic empowerment. We provide access to job training, financial counseling, and pathways to homeownership, designed to support your journey toward economic stability and upward mobility in a sustainable way.

Recognizing the importance of education and health, we also collaborate with local institutions to enhance access to quality educational programs and healthcare services. Our focus is on creating a supportive environment where your family can access the essential services needed for a thriving life.

Absolutely! If you’re a resident of a neighborhood or community we serve, you’re eligible for our programs.

To get started, visit any of our local offices or contact us through our website. Our Family Support Specialists are here to guide you through the process and help you access the resources you need.