Following the merger, the new organization will become the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in New York State.
New York, NY – Urban Resource Institute (URI), a leading provider of domestic violence programs and services in New York City and the Center Against Domestic Violence (CADV), an organization that works toward a society free of violence and abuse, announced today they are beginning an affiliation with the goal of completing an official merger in 2018. Following the merger, the combined organization under the Urban Resource Institute umbrella will have the capacity to shelter nearly 1,000 women, men and children at any given time, making it the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in New York State.
“URI and CADV are uniquely aligned as true innovators in the field of domestic violence services in New York City,” said Nathaniel Fields, president and CEO of Urban Resource Institute. “The affiliation and prospective merger are exciting steps forward for both of our organizations. We look forward to this new chapter in Urban Resource Institute’s history and the opportunity to serve and support even more New Yorkers impacted by domestic violence.”
The affiliation will bring together URI and CADV’s innovative programs, enabling the organizations to have an even greater impact on their shared mission to prevent domestic violence and assist victims of abuse. URI programs like PALS (People and Animals Living Safely), the only program in New York City that allows survivors of domestic violence to live in shelter apartments with their pets, and WIN (the Working Internship Network), which provides financial literacy skills and job training for survivors in shelter, will join with CADV’s groundbreaking initiatives, such as RAPP (Relationship Abuse Prevention Program), which educates tens of thousands of high school students to address and prevent domestic violence in New York City.
“CADV’s affiliation with URI will directly benefit those who depend on our life-saving shelters and programs,” said Judith Kahan, CEO of the Center Against Domestic Violence. “Collectively, we can broaden our reach and improve access to an even larger network of transformative services.”
URI assumed management responsibilities of CADV on July 1st, 2017. The organization will now undergo a diligence process until July 1st, 2018, at which point the merger will be complete. The structures of each organization’s domestic violence shelters and programs will remain the same throughout this process to ensure that clients are not disrupted in any way.
URI and CADV board members share their thoughts on the merger:
“As we approached the retirement of CADV’s long-time executive director, Judith Kahan, the Board of Directors decided to explore all options to preserve what we have already accomplished and to build for the future,” said Alan Kolod, CADV board chair and chairman of Moses & Singer. “Ultimately, we decided that joining forces with Urban Resource Institute was the best choice we could make. Best for the community we serve, survivors of domestic violence and youth affected by or at risk of relationship abuse. Best for our skilled and dedicated staff. Best for our community. URI is a vibrant, respected and well run organization. We share so many of the same values and a passion for quality services for the people we serve. Our affiliation with URI will protect CADV’s long and proud history as the first provider of domestic violence shelter in New York State. And together, we will be able to pursue our joint missions with even greater effectiveness.”
“As URI’s Board Chairperson, it has been a pleasure helping lead the organization through this major transformation,” said Whittaker Mack III, chair of the URI Board of Trustees and vice president – Investments, JP Morgan Securities LLC. “The synergy of these two strong, pioneering domestic violence organizations, together, will allow us to continue to create an even greater impact for the lives we are able to touch. We will have a greater ability to come up with even more innovative solutions in the field. Our trustees are proud to be a part of URI throughout this evolution and are excited about where we plan to go in the future.”
About Urban Resource Institute
Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a leading non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, holistic, and supportive human services programs that help individuals and families in the New York metropolitan area overcome obstacles and better their lives. With a rich 37-year legacy of social service research and expertise, deep community relationships, and a flexible, innovative approach to program development and service delivery, URI is uniquely equipped to provide solutions to the challenges affecting New York’s most vulnerable populations. URI’s hands-on programs for victims of domestic violence, homeless families and the developmentally disabled are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individual, while community outreach initiatives build wider visibility and support for the issues that have an impact on our clients’ quality of life and New York’s urban communities. For more information, please visit www.urinyc.org.
About the Center Against Domestic Violence
Based in New York City, the Center Against Domestic Violence is a not-for-profit organization that works toward a society free of violence and abuse. For 40 years, the Center has led the way in the prevention of domestic violence by offering education and prevention programs and promoting the well-being and economic independence of survivors of abuse. Additional information about the Center and its services can be found at: www.cadvny.org.
