We Changed the Way We Looked at Things, now the Things We Looked at Changed

We Changed the Way We Looked at Things, now the Things We Looked at Changed
Change Begins With Us!

In 2026, Urban Sanctuary is operating with clear strategic focus. At the center of this work is the Community-Led Research Group (CLRG), which serves as Urban Sanctuary’s flagship initiative. CLRG anchors how we design, observe, and evaluate all other programs.
Rather than treating programs as isolated efforts, Urban Sanctuary uses CLRG to ensure that community experience, outcomes, and learning inform everything we do. This approach strengthens accountability, improves effectiveness, and supports continuous learning grounded in lived experience.
The Community-Led Research Group is a community-centered initiative that supports understanding, documenting, and evaluating health and wellbeing outcomes affecting Black communities in Arkansas. CLRG brings together community members, practitioners, and partners to observe programs, translate findings, and assess what works in real-world settings.
CLRG does not operate as a traditional research unit. Instead, it functions as a community accountability and learning body, ensuring that Urban Sanctuary’s programs are responsive, ethical, and effective. Members receive training in observation, data interpretation, and evaluation practices that prioritize community knowledge and relevance.
Through CLRG, Urban Sanctuary is building an internal system for measuring efficacy, refining program design, and sharing insights with partners, funders, and the broader community.
Excertrition is a culturally grounded nutrition education program integrating cooking, food literacy, gardening, sustainability practices, and movement. CLRG observes participant outcomes related to food confidence, skill development, stress reduction, and program accessibility, helping refine the program over time.
CLRG supports evaluation of training outcomes by documenting participant understanding, shifts in awareness, and practical application within organizations and institutions.
CLRG examines how language awareness influences stress, perception, and engagement, supporting continuous improvement of Lab content and delivery.
By centering CLRG as the flagship initiative, Urban Sanctuary ensures that:
1. Programs are grounded in community-defined outcomes
2. Learning is continuous rather than episodic
3. Impact is documented ethically and transparently
4. Community members remain central to evaluation and interpretation
This structure allows Urban Sanctuary to grow responsibly, strengthen partnerships, and demonstrate impact without losing accountability to the communities it serves.
Urban Sanctuary’s 2026 work reflects a coordinated, intentional approach. With CLRG as the foundation, our programs are designed not only to serve, but to learn, adapt, and improve in response to real community experience.
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

We’re Building a Place Where People Can Learn, Heal, and Feel Supported — and We Need Your Help
Urban Sanctuary is working to create the kind of space our community deserves: calm, safe, welcoming, and full of opportunity. We want people to have a place where they can learn new skills, connect with others, and take care of their wellbeing.
To make this possible, we’re launching a community-led research group so local voices can guide the direction of our work. We’re preparing survival skills and wellness training to help people feel more confident, grounded, and ready for emergencies. And we’re working to pay off the land that will become our permanent home — a place where all of this can grow.
We are also seeking donations of campers, which will help us offer temporary living space, offices for our team, and flexible outdoor learning areas.
Your support brings this vision within reach.
Your donation helps us build a space where people can breathe a little easier.
A space where knowledge, healing, safety, and togetherness come first.
If you’re able, please donate — and if you have a camper to give, it will make a lasting impact.
Thank you for helping us build something meaningful.
Help us raise awareness of our mission by sharing our website, social media pages, and events with your friends, family, and colleagues.

At Urban Sanctuary,
our mission is to create networks of Safe Havens to uplift and affirm Black Humanity.

Urban Sanctuary envisions advancing community-led health and wellbeing through shared learning, research, and accountability.
We love our community, so feel free to give us a call.
Today | By Appointment |
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.