Our Work in Action

Strategic Pillars

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI) is a youth-centered community development non-profit organization with a mission to build a safe and thriving neighborhood where neighbors want to live, work & play. UNI is where Southwest Detroit’s Springwells neighborhood comes alive with possibility. Since 1997, we've worked with over 20,000 young people and families through comprehensive education, leadership, and community organizing programs. Our work has four key areas of focus:

Community Leadership →

Education →

Land Use →

A Vibrant Economy →

Community Leadership Data

SPRINGWELLS ELECTION PRECINCT NOV. 5TH 2025

Community members report these barriers to finishing high school and/or obtaining employment (2022):

• Transportation
• Finances
• Immigration
• Language Qualifications
• Health
• Child Care
• Poverty

Effective community leadership is essential for the development of community capacity, innovation, and active engagement. UNI provides opportunities for residents to organize through a process of interrelated actions to achieve common goals. 

Neighborhood Education Data

MI school data for schools in Springwells neighborhood &

5 year estimates of the 2023 American Community Survey &

50%

of students are chronically absent in the public school district

>5%

of third grade students meet grade-level standards in English (Reading, Writing & Speaking)

6.4%

of neighborhood residents have a bachelor's degree or higher

The statistics are against us, and education is the key. We believe education is a human right and essential for liberation from oppression. Education is the process of acquisition, interpretation and application of knowledge and skills. UNI facilitates the education process in and out of schools. We organize to ensure all schools in the neighborhood are of the highest quality where students thrive. 

Land-Use Data

MI school data for schools in Springwells neighborhood &

18,147

People reside in Springwells, a 1.4 square mile neighborhood.

41%

of homes Renter-occupied in zipcode 48209

Flooding and unclean alleys continue to negatively impact neighbors’ way of life

Our neighborhood is safe and beautiful. We collaborate with youth leadership in ways that advance our mission, create safe spaces, and contribute to social and emotional well being for our neighbors. Spaces as hubs - We use the spaces we have to make people feel welcome, to provide access to resources and programming, and to be agile hubs of activity that are responsive to community needs.

A Vibrant Economy

5 year estimates of the 2023 American Community Survey

$42,500

Median household income

36%

of children live below the poverty line

14.5%

of employed Springwells residents 16 and up are in the retail trade

Block by block, we support the development of a business corridor and building the talent pipeline through education, experiences, and community.