News Summary
Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams has expressed his disapproval of Urban Alchemy’s provocative slogan displayed at the East Lake Farmers Market. The phrase, deemed inappropriate for the family-friendly event, drew backlash from attendees, including church members. Urban Alchemy, which has secured over $3 million in contracts for homelessness services, aims to empower formerly incarcerated individuals while addressing Birmingham’s ongoing issues with homelessness. Despite the criticism, city officials stand by their partnership with the organization, indicating that they will monitor changes to align with community standards.
Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams has criticized the California-based nonprofit, Urban Alchemy, for its inappropriate signage at a recent event in the city. During a city council meeting, Williams expressed regret over the disruptions caused by Urban Alchemy’s slogan, which was displayed prominently at the East Lake Farmers Market.
The controversial slogan, “No f-ckery,” elicited strong reactions from attendees, particularly from church members who were present at the family-friendly market. Williams apologized to residents for what he termed Urban Alchemy’s “disrespectful actions,” indicating that community standards must be upheld in city-sponsored events.
Urban Alchemy has been awarded contracts exceeding $3 million by the City of Birmingham to assist with ongoing issues related to homelessness. The first of these contracts, worth up to $1,717,881, encompasses a range of services including community engagement, homeless outreach, interim housing, hygiene services, street cleaning, and community response efforts. The second contract totals $1.54 million dedicated to managing micro-shelters, a program that has faced delays in its rollout.
According to Urban Alchemy, the phrase “No f-ckery” is core to its organizational culture, serving as a guiding principle for staff to avoid dishonest practices and exploitation. The organization emphasizes that 96% of its workforce has experienced incarceration, many having served lengthy prison sentences. In light of this context, Urban Alchemy aims to empower individuals with lived experiences to contribute to community solutions.
The East Lake Farmers Market is presented as a family-oriented event, making the display of profanity particularly contentious. Williams reported that he had received numerous complaints regarding the signage and insisted on the importance of aligning organizational messaging with Birmingham’s community values.
Reverend Sally Allocca, pastor of the church that hosted the farmers market, urged that the more pressing issue at hand should be the challenges faced by unsheltered individuals rather than the specific language used by Urban Alchemy. This reflects a broader conversation about the approaches taken toward aiding the homeless population in Birmingham.
In its operations through the HEART program, Urban Alchemy claims to have provided over 1,500 services to unhoused residents in Birmingham. The organization has responded to community feedback by committing to adjust its signage to better reflect the standards and values of Birmingham residents.
Despite the criticism, Birmingham city officials have expressed confidence in their partnership with Urban Alchemy. They maintain that due diligence was conducted before awarding contracts and that there are no current conflicts regarding the services being provided.
Urban Alchemy has a history of scrutiny, particularly regarding a federal lawsuit filed in California that alleges it employs inadequately trained and unlicensed individuals. Nevertheless, the organization continues its mission in Birmingham, with plans to introduce a “Safe Sleep” pilot program that entails establishing between 30 and 60 micro-shelters at yet-to-be-determined locations throughout the city.
As Birmingham continues to navigate the complexities of homelessness service delivery, the controversy surrounding Urban Alchemy’s messaging highlights the tensions between community standards and the values of organizations working within the city. Councilman Williams and other officials will likely be keeping a close watch on how the nonprofit adapts to the feedback it has received.
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HERE Resources
Birmingham Outreach Group Faces Backlash Over Profanity Banner
Birmingham Launches Initiative to Aid Homeless with Micro-Shelters
Birmingham Allocates $1.5 Million for Homeless Support
Birmingham Implements Innovative Shelters to Tackle Homelessness
Birmingham Fraternity Distributes Coats for MLK Day
Evans Meats & Seafood Relocates to New Headquarters in Birmingham
Birmingham Launches HEART Program: A New Hope for the Homeless
Birmingham Launches HEART Team to Address Homelessness with Compassionate Approach
Birmingham Launches HEART Team to Aid Unhoused and Mentally Ill Individuals
Birmingham Partners with Urban Alchemy for New Homeless Engagement Program
Additional Resources
- WBRC: Birmingham City Councilor Responds to Obscenity
- WVTM: Urban Alchemy Motto Ruffling Feathers at Birmingham City Hall
- AL.com: F-Word on Banner at Birmingham Church Draws Complaints
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Yellowhammer News: Birmingham Councilmember Criticizes City Funded Nonprofit
