Urban Resource Institute

06/12/2025

For over a decade, URI’s PALS Program has kept survivors and their pets together during crisis. Now, we’re expanding that mission with PALS for All, a bold initiative to make NYC’s social services fully pet-inclusive by 2030.

Click the link below to donate and join us in reshaping services so no one is forced to choose between safety and their beloved animal!

https://urinyc.org/donate-today/

06/11/2025

Economic abuse keeps survivors of violence trapped in dangerous, abusive situations—often through tactics like coerced debt and financial control.

The Coerced Debt Bill will help survivors break free, access safety, and begin to rebuild their lives.

Thank you to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Cordell Cleare for championing this life-changing legislation. We look forward to working with Governor Kathy Hochul to see this bill become law.

📄 Read more: https://bit.ly/43WTMHk

06/11/2025

: In April, we had the privilege of joining over 300 advocates, leaders, and officials at ’s UPSTREAM Symposium to explore frontline solutions to homelessness.

From powerful stories to policy insights, the event was a reminder that ending homelessness takes bold collaboration, urgency, and compassion.

Thank you to HELP USA and all of the speakers who inspired action and reminded us that housing is a human right.

06/10/2025

👏 Thank you, Senator Cordell Cleare, for standing up for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors by advancing S1353B! This vital bill will help survivors safely escape abuse and access the justice they deserve.

Now it’s time for the New York State Assembly Majority to act. We urge them to pass Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal’s A3038B and turn this life-saving legislation into law.

We're proud to join forces with Her Justice, CAMBA, New York City Anti-Violence Project, AARP, Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, Legal Aid Society, Sanctuary for Families, Safe Horizon, and New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) in pushing for meaningful change.

Together, we can protect and empower survivors across New York State. 💜

06/06/2025

Cutting PAWS Act funding puts lives at risk. Survivors of domestic violence will not leave if they’re forced to leave their pets behind.

As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support services—we know this firsthand. That’s why we created the lifesaving People & Animals Living Safely (PALS) program: to keep families together on their path to safety and healing.

The proposed cuts to PAWS funding are dangerous. Survivors need options. They need safety. They need support for their entire family—including pets.

📖 Read more via Mother Jones: https://bit.ly/4kMqqSK

The budget proposal is the Trump administration's latest attack on services supporting abuse survivors.

06/05/2025

We’re proud to announce that Liz Brownback, Esq., Senior Director of URI’s Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP), was honored at the New York City Bar Association’s 35th Annual Legal Services Awards!

These awards recognize lawyers and non-lawyers who have devoted themselves full-time to providing free legal services to individuals and families facing significant barriers to justice. Liz has embraced this mission wholeheartedly throughout her career, showing compassionate advocacy and steadfast leadership.

For over five years Liz has led LEAP, advancing legal protections and support for survivors of domestic violence. She was joined by family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate this incredible accomplishment—a true testament to her dedication and impact.

The ceremony featured remarks from Muhammad U. Faridi, President of the NYC Bar Association, and awards were presented by Hon. Rowan Wilson, Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.

👏 Congratulations, Liz and all this year’s inspiring honorees!

06/05/2025

If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy relationship, remember—you are not alone. There are people ready and willing to support you.

Jacob, one of our Summer '24 RAPP (Relationship Abuse Prevention Program) Peer Leaders, recently interviewed staff at the Bronx School of Law and Finance () as part of a powerful series on healthy relationships.

In this clip, Ms. Michelle Butler highlights how important it is to reach out to your community for help to ensure you’re in a relationship where you’re respected and treated the way you deserve.

06/04/2025

It’s National Hug Your Cat Day, the purr-fect time to show some love to the feline friends who bring us comfort, joy, and unconditional affection! Special shoutout to URI’s Learning & LMS Specialist, Leonardo Switzer-Perez and his cute kitty 🐾

For over a decade, URI’s PALS (People & Animals Living Safely) Program has helped survivors of gender-based violence stay safely housed with their pets. Now, we’re currently collecting insights on present practices, barriers, and resources needed to expand pet-inclusive care.

If your organization supports individuals facing violence or housing insecurity, we want to hear from you — whether you provide housing, advocacy, case management, or other services.

Take our PALS Pet-Inclusivity survey today and help shape the future of pet-inclusive care!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQ6R9Y3

06/03/2025

We're grateful for Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership in support of survivors of domestic violence and their families. URI's VP of Government Affairs, Lauren Schuster, and Elyse Barbell, VP of People & Culture talked with Governor Kathy Hochul about working together to increase safety and stability for URI's staff, residents and participants.

06/03/2025

When survivors of domestic violence make the brave decision to seek safety, many are faced with a heartbreaking reality: their pets can’t come with them. For some, that’s a dealbreaker.

In fact, 50% of survivors say they wouldn’t consider going to a shelter if they had to leave their pet behind. This is a gap that puts lives at risk—and it's why the PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program exists.

Now, we’re asking for your help to take this work even further.

We’re inviting organizations that serve people impacted by gender-based violence or housing insecurity to take the PALS Pet-Inclusivity Survey.

Whether you provide advocacy, education, case management, or community-based support—you have a perspective we need. You don’t have to offer housing to contribute.

By sharing your insights, you’ll help us better understand the current landscape, the barriers organizations face, and what resources are needed to expand access to pet-inclusive care.

Take the survey today! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQ6R9Y3

06/03/2025

Coerced debt keeps survivors trapped in cycles of danger and control. But thanks to champions like Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Cordell Cleare, New York is one step closer to breaking those chains. 💜

Survivors can’t afford to wait—it’s time to pass the Coerced Debt Bill (A.3038-B/S.1353-B) and give them the relief and safety they deserve.

📖 Read more in this powerful op-ed from City & State: https://bit.ly/4mENB2Z



Sanctuary for Families Safe Horizon New York City Anti-Violence Project CAMBA New York City Anti-Violence Project Her Justice AARP New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Coerced debt can keep abuse survivors locked in dangerous situations, but a new bill aims to provide relief.

06/02/2025

Everyone Belongs. Everyone Deserves to Be Safe.

We believe in the power of showing up as your whole self—and being welcomed, supported, and celebrated for it.

June is Pride Month, a time to honor and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community, including our colleagues, partners, residents, and participants. We celebrate the beauty of identity, the strength of resilience, and the power of inclusion—not just this month, but every day.

At URI, we don’t just talk about inclusion—we live it. We exist to meet people where they are and walk beside them on their journey toward safety, stability, and healing. That includes individuals and families who have been told by systems, stigma, or silence that they are less worthy of support.

We know better.
So we do better.

Domestic violence, homelessness, trauma, and poverty do not discriminate—and neither does our compassion. We provide shelter, services, and unwavering support to those at their most vulnerable, without question and without exception. Because safety is not a privilege. It is a human right.

We’ve seen the transformation that happens when survivors are met with dignity. We know what’s possible when people are given the space to breathe, recover, and rebuild—regardless of how they identify or who they love.

Our work is more than crisis response. It’s about rewriting the narrative of who deserves to feel safe and seen. It’s about building a future where everyone—everyone—has a path forward.

Celebrate with us.
Stand with us.

Support URI. Because no one should have to prove they’re worthy of safety—or celebration.

Nathaniel M. Fields
CEO, Urban Resource Institute