Mission, Values, History

Mission

Our mission is to meet emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter; and to help those who are homeless secure a home and the resources to stay there. 

Core values

Urban Ministries of Durham is committed to offering a service environment that is based on:

Respect

We value individual diversity and foster dignity through the belief in each person's abilities.

Support

We value supportive programs to advance education, establish more stable living situations, prepare for job-readiness, and strengthen recovery.

Collaboration

We build community partnerships to find long-term solutions toward the goal of eradicating extreme poverty.

We are committed to living out our core values in all our interactions with our clients, each other, and the community.

History

Urban Ministries of Durham has a long history in the downtown Durham Community. With leadership from area faith communities, the Urban Ministries Center was founded in 1983 as a host site for area service organizations.  The Durham Community Shelter for HOPE was next door. In 2001, the Durham Community Shelter for HOPE, St. Philip’s Community Cafe, and the United Methodist Mission Society merged to form Urban Ministries of Durham.

Since 2001, UMD has operated using the entire Urban Ministries Center and the Community Shelter facility next to it, to comprehensively address the emergency needs of the poor, hungry, and homeless in Durham, North Carolina.

News & Needs

May 14, 2013

UMD thanks Bleu Olive, Confections of a Cookie Addict, & The Caudles

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May 1, 2013

Join us for Volunteer Orientation May 9

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April 19, 2013

Strings Attached concert benefiting UMD: Claire Holley May 3

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April 2, 2013

Empty Bowls raises $52,000 for neighbors

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March 19, 2013

Vert & Vogue partners with Urban Ministries of Durham to help women in need

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January 8, 2013

UMD partners with Wheels4Hope

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December 5, 2012

Buy Holiday Honor Cards to benefit neighbors through UMD

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December 5, 2012

UMD thanks Duke Doing Good in the Neighborhood

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November 21, 2012

UMD thanks Beth El Synagogue

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November 19, 2012

Nine men & women graduate from UMD Recovery Program

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October 29, 2012

Magpie event, Rebuilding Lives featured in Durham Magazine

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October 29, 2012

Charity Navigator Gives UMD its highest rating

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October 26, 2012

Yiddish Songfest to benefit UMD

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October 12, 2012

Magpie hosts shop for a cause

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July 14, 2012

Run with Wool E. Bull and benefit UMD

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June 15, 2012

Operational Changes A Success

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June 4, 2012

UMD Meets Stewards Fund Challenge

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April 9, 2012

New UMD Staff

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April 4, 2012

UMD Wins Awards for SPENT

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April 4, 2012

May 19 - Fourth Annual Beloved Community

Resource Fair and Picnic >

April 4, 2012

Empty Bowls 2012 a success

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February 14, 2012

Volunteers make a difference! Spring Orientation 2012

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January 3, 2012

Businesses Get Involved with Third Tuesdays Together

Doing Good is Good Business >

December 15, 2011

Watch: ABC 11 Airs Segment on "Spent"

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