The Urban Resource Institute (URI) was incorporated in 1980 as a minority-operated, not-for-profit organization to assist in the resolution of problems that impact the lives of urban minority populations in New York City. One of the goals that URI has developed in pursuit of its mission is to design and implement interventions that will provide direct services to communities and effect resolution of the problem being addressed. URI is particularly interested in serving those populations that are either unpopular among social service agencies or that are 'hard-to-treat,' including severely to profoundly developmentally disabled individuals, dually addicted/dependent individuals, homeless individuals, battered women and their children, developmentally and physically disabled young adults and persons with AIDS and/or drug-resistant tuberculosis.

URI's philosophy closely corresponds with its mission. Since its inception, URI has addressed itself to ameliorating the myriad social problems impacting upon inner-city communities of New York. This philosophy has continually guided URI in the development of programs and services for the neediest sectors of society, with comprehensive case management and an interdisciplinary approach to treatment planning serving as cornerstones of all programs. Services are provided within a culturally relevant and multi-modality framework, and administered by compassionate, culturally and racially similar professionals who are sensitive to the needs of their clients. The services offered by URI are not only consistent with its mission and philosophy, they are primarily driven by the needs presented by its service population. As a direct service provider, URI is better able to identify the problems and issues immediately affecting its service population than distant governmental agencies, and therefore, is in a better position to design interventions which directly address those issues.

URI also manages the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation ( ARTC), a closely affiliated not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1969, ARTC has helped more than 30,000 New Yorkers overcome addiction, and is one of America's leading treatment programs. Widely recognized for innovative treatment models offering a continuum of care for persons suffering multiple addictions in an environment of social and economic dislocation. URI was formed by ARTC to address the unmet psycho-social needs of its service population. Beny J. Primm, MD. is the President of URI and the Executive Director of ARTC.

URI currently operates the following programs:

Marguerite T. Saunders Urban Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Services (MS-UCAS)
A comprehensive day treatment program for those dependent on/or abusing alcohol and/or other substances specializing in services for those enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment programs, Comprehensive social services, medical services, psychiatric services and lunch are offered on-site.

Urban women's Retreat(UWR), Urban Women's New Beginnings, Urban Women's Safe Haven
Emergency homeless shelters with a total of 111 efficiency apartments for 301 battered women and their children.

Linden House and Beny J. Primm Residence
Intermediate care facilities (ICFs) that provide a supervised residential setting and comprehensive care for twenty-five (25) mentally retarded and developmentally disabled adults, whose impairment ranges from moderate to profound.

Urban Center for Change (UCC)
Transitional housing for 117 battered women and their children who have either exhausted their stay at an emergency shelter or have not been able to secure permanent housing.

Urban Center for the Developmentally Disabled (UCDD)
A job skills training, job placement and work support program for developmentally disabled young adults, many of whom have 'aged out' of special education. All trainees are guaranteed job placements upon completion of their training.

Urban Transportation Project (UTP)
Provides daily round-trip transportation services for approximately 200 mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons between their residences and day programs throughout the four boroughs, excluding Staten Island.

Domestic Violence Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP)
The Urban Resource Institute’s (URI) Domestic Violence Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP) provides legal assistance and consultation to the clients and staff of the agency’s four domestic violence shelters.
This is done by:
- Providing URI’s shelter residents with immediate access to legal information, advocacy and resources regarding criminal justice, family court and immigration issues.

- Representing immigrant survivors of domestic violence by preparing and filing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, U visa petitions, and applications for work authorization and adjustment of status.

- Collaborating with the district attorney’s office and clients’ family court and criminal court attorneys in order to address specific legal needs.

- Advocating on behalf of clients with the local police precincts to ensure that incidents of abuse are reported and documented accurately.

- Consulting with shelter staff on legal issues relevant to clients and securing legal representation when needed.

- Facilitating educational workshops and trainings for clients and shelter staff.

- Producing written educational materials to expand the legal knowledge of our clients and shelter staff.

LEAP focuses primarily on legal matters that affect women and children, which include, but are not limited to:
- Orders of protection
- Custody and Visitation
- Immigration
- Child Support
- Divorce
- Public Benefits
- Criminal justice

LEAP provides technical assistance and training to community members and service providers regarding domestic violence and the legal system. LEAP also offers internships to college and law students. For more information, email Jennifer White, Esq., LEAP Director at jwhite@uriny.org, or call (718) 421-4035.

For more information, please visit URI's official website: www.uriny.org
and
ARTC's official website: artcny.org