Helping young Black men build stable lives
In 2009, St. Paul community leaders identified a significant gap in preventive and reentry programming within the criminal justice system for young African American men. Without intervention, this void threatened to create a “lost generation” — young men who would face incarceration or premature death due to systemic racial injustices.
Ujamaa Place was founded to restore the dignity taken from these young men and empower them to become contributing members of society and responsible caregivers for their families.
Ujamaa Place’s mission is to assist economically disadvantaged African American men aged 18 to 30 who have experienced repeated cycles of hardship. The organization provides holistic transformational and stabilizing support services to help them overcome the inequities that exist at the intersection of race and poverty.
Through its Theory of Transformation™ programming, Ujamaa Place offers more than 37 services at no cost, designed to help participants build stable lives and integrate successfully into society. These services include homelessness prevention strategies, educational support including post-secondary pursuits, job placement above minimum wage, child support assistance, and programs aimed at reducing recidivism.
As an anti-poverty and social justice organization, Ujamaa Place serves the most marginalized individuals in the Twin Cities community. Its culturally responsive programs address housing instability, education, employment, mental health and wellness services, including individual and group therapy, and criminal justice advocacy.
The organization’s success is rooted in its wraparound services model, which integrates cultural values of brotherhood and family. Upon enrollment, participants are paired with dedicated coaches who take a personalized approach, meeting each individual where they are rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.
Coaches conduct intake assessments covering criminal justice history, housing status, employment experience, family relationships, and medical needs. Together, they create an Individualized Transformation Plan, setting clear goals for success.
Participants receive one-on-one tutoring for GED completion, job skills training, and life skills courses on topics such as responsible fatherhood, financial literacy, healthy relationships, driver’s license acquisition, and managing legal obligations.
Regular support sessions with coaches and peer groups help participants address personal and systemic barriers to success. Mentors guide them through every stage of their transformation, reinforcing progress through community engagement activities, group discussions, and shared meals.
Each participant’s transformation plan is designed to empower them to take full responsibility for their futures and the well-being of their families.
A stable living environment is critical to a participant’s success. Many Ujamaa Place participants come from unstable housing situations, such as shelters, encampments, or temporary stays with friends and family. Without stable housing, maintaining employment is nearly impossible.
Ujamaa Place’s housing program, in collaboration with its housing partners, ensures that all enrolled men have access to safe and secure accommodations. The organization’s Housing Support and Services Programming addresses the homelessness-incarceration cycle by offering immediate shelter upon enrollment.
Participants are provided with or referred to safe housing options, clean clothing, personal hygiene supplies, and two daily meals. Housing options range from emergency shelters to single-room occupancies, independent units, and even homeownership opportunities.
Participants transition from emergency shelters to short-term and long-term supportive housing before securing permanent housing through agencies such as Saint Paul Public Housing. Ujamaa Place partners with private landlords to provide single-room occupancy units and assists qualified participants with Section 8 housing through the Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation. Rent subsidies are available until participants secure stable employment and can contribute financially.
Even after participants achieve success in stable housing, education and employment, Ujamaa Place maintains relationships with alumni, encouraging them to return, share their experiences, and support new enrollees.
A testament to the program’s impact is the success of a former participant who in 2022 sought CDL training to improve his employment prospects. After completing the rigorous 180-hour program, he secured a high-paying job with benefits within two weeks, allowing him to provide for his family with the long-term goal of purchasing a home.
This milestone was life-changing for him, demonstrating the power of economic stability through workforce development and housing security.
Homeownership is a cornerstone of financial stability and generational wealth, particularly for low-income African American families. It has the potential to transform lives, strengthen communities, and close the racial wealth gap. By increasing access to homeownership, society can create long-term economic opportunities and financial independence for African American families.
Ujamaa Place embodies this principle. Under the leadership of the late CEO Chris Crutchfield, the organization secured a permanent home — a 17,000-square-foot headquarters at 490 Concordia Ave. in Rondo, St. Paul’s historic African American community. This facility symbolizes stability, growth, and the empowerment of the men Ujamaa Place serves.
The new headquarters is strategically located near key community partners, including the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Saint Paul College, Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, St. Paul YWCA, and Walker West Music Academy. This proximity fosters collaboration and enhances opportunities for participants.
Securing a permanent facility reinforces Ujamaa Place’s commitment to transforming lives through stability and community engagement. In African American communities, property ownership is more than a symbol of success — it is a means of controlling one’s future and building generational wealth.
Homeownership remains one of the most effective tools for economic empowerment, particularly for those historically excluded from financial opportunities. Expanding access to homeownership, coupled with supportive policies and community-driven programs, is essential in reducing racial economic disparities and creating sustainable change.
By continuing its mission to support African American men in overcoming systemic barriers, Ujamaa Place is not just changing individual lives — it is shaping a more just and equitable society.
Ujamaa Place opened its doors in 2010 with the mission of helping participants achieve brotherhood, stability, and personal success. For more information, visit ujamaaplace.org.