Celebrating 30 Years of Renewing Lives, Restoring Hope
Urban Ministries is a leader in the private, nonprofit sector and an active collaborator in addressing poverty, homelessness and heath care for the uninsured. The quality of our services and commitment to those in need is recognized by our diverse supports, our peers, and most importantly, by the people we serve.
Timeline
1981- A group of 13 downtown congregations — Protestant, Catholic and Jewish — formed an organization to address unmet community needs. This organization became Urban Ministries of Raleigh, and later, Wake County. We opened our doors in July 1981 to address the adverse effects of poverty for Wake County residents.
1984- The Ark Shelter opens to serve men who are homeless.
1985- The Open Door Clinic begins serving the uninsured—the earliest free clinic in North Carolina that remains in operation.
1986- The Ark expands to serve women who are homeless.
1990- The Open Door Clinic begins addressing the needs of people with chronic illness.
2000- The Ark Shelter converted to serve women only.
2002- Ark Shelter renamed Helen Wright Center for Women in honor of Sister Helen Wright, our first Director.
2007- Urban Ministries moves to its new location on Capital Boulevard and expands it services to include day and evening medical clinics and an on-site pharmacy.
2010- Urban Ministries celebrates its 30th year of renewing lives and restoring hope.
2011- Urban Ministries announces the upcoming retirement of its Executive Director of 26 years, Anne Burke.
