Urban Triage Celebrates Alumni, Community and 119 Permanent Housing Placements

Second Annual Alumni Reunion on November 13 will recognize personal achievements, housing stability and the power of community support.

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At Urban Triage, success is about more than numbers. It's about individuals and families finding stability, building brighter futures and knowing they have a community behind them.

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On Friday, November 13, Urban Triage will host its Second Annual Alumni Reunion from noon to 2 p.m. at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, 671 W. Badger Road in Madison, where Urban Triage recently opened a coworking office for its administrative team in the Center’s Innovation Center. The event will bring together former and current program participants, families, staff, community partners and supporters to celebrate progress and reconnect.

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The celebration comes during a year of significant accomplishments and growing community needs. From January through September 2026, Urban Triage achieved 119 permanent housing placements, including 48 in the third quarter alone.

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Other accomplishments during the first nine months of 2026 include:

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• 85% of clients served remained housed as of August 2026.

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• Nearly $242,000 in direct rental assistance provided to individuals and families.

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• More than 16,300 triage conversations through phone, text and email.

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• Approximately 8,000 pounds of organic produce distributed directly and through community partners.

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These results are especially meaningful as Dane County faces record levels of homelessness and increasing food insecurity.

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Celebrating the People Behind the Progress

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Urban Triage alumni include former participants in its housing services, Supporting Healthy Families curriculum and Emerging Adults House. Their journeys reflect resilience, determination and the importance of having access to resources and ongoing support.

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"This year tested us. We made hard financial decisions so the people who count on us wouldn't feel it, and we kept getting people into homes," said Brandi Grayson, founder and CEO of Urban Triage. "A placement is where the work starts, not where it ends. Our alumni are parents, students, workers and neighbors building real futures. We measure our success by the stability they build, and they deserve a day to celebrate it."

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The reunion offers an opportunity for alumni to share their accomplishments, reconnect with one another and provide valuable feedback that helps shape Urban Triage's programs and services.

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Community Partnerships Make a Difference

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With Thanksgiving approaching, Urban Triage will also distribute approximately 40 Thanksgiving baskets to alumni during the celebration.

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The reunion lunch and Thanksgiving baskets are made possible through a joint grant from the Herb Kohl Foundation supporting Urban Triage and REAP Food Group.

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The organizations also collaborate through the Foodshed Partnership and Farms to Families program, helping connect Dane County families with fresh, locally grown organic produce.

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Continuing the Work

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Urban Triage's commitment to housing stability received an important boost when the Dane County Board restored approximately $233,000 in funding for its Housing Navigation program in the 2027 county budget.

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The funding will help Urban Triage continue providing one-on-one housing navigation, case management and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

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As Urban Triage celebrates its alumni, the organization remains focused on helping more people find and maintain stable housing, access essential resources and build lasting independence.

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Support Urban Triage's Mission

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Ahead of Giving Tuesday on December 1, Urban Triage invites community members to join its 100 Who Cover Urban Triage campaign by becoming monthly donors.

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Your support helps ensure individuals and families continue to have access to the resources, guidance and opportunities they need to thrive.

Support the mission here.

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