Urban Alchemy

Urban Alchemy transforms the energy in traumatized urban spaces. They're a social enterprise that engages with situations where extreme poverty meets homelessness, mental illness and addiction. When a neighborhood, street or intersection earns a reputation as a place to avoid, we turn it around. Urban Alchemy is a peaceful and supportive presence, inviting communities to rebuild and restore a sense of pride and respect in urban spaces. Few people know how to withstand the trauma and chaos we see on the streets – it’s usually those who have endured it themselves. Most of our team have served life sentences in prison. They’ve spent 20+ years in a confined environment where their survival depends on their ability to read people in unpredictable situations. This teaches them instincts that you can’t learn in a classroom. Employers aren’t bending over backwards to hire returning citizens. But at Urban Alchemy, their skills are sought-after. When they start working here, people often realize that the self-awareness and personal development they gain on the inside are one of the most valuable gifts they can give back on the outside.