Building relationships with homeless and hurting people who are just like you and me….
This is where it all started, 17 years ago, under the bridge…
About Us
Urban Purpose began with a trip downtown.
That first day, we passed out coats, sleeping bags, hand warmers, and blankets to homeless individuals living under the I-65 bridge. We kept going back to provide firewood, meet basic physical needs, and even share meals with the folks we’d met.
In the midst of laughing over jokes and swapping stories about hard stuff, we saw that all the resources in the world are meaningless if they aren’t offered alongside true friendship. As these relationships deepened, we also became increasingly aware of the complexity of what our friends on the streets struggled to overcome.
Urban Purpose was born out of a desire to provide good options for these men and women and walk with them through the long, difficult journey of regaining control of their lives.
We’ve grown from handing out food and blankets under the bridge to providing a full range of support for marginalized men and women in Birmingham. Because of your support, we continue to support folks working to overcome trauma, addiction, and abuse
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Join us!
Join Urban Purpose as we work to build relationships with homeless and hurting men and women who are just like you and me. People with stories, hopes, failures, and dreams. At Urban Purpose, we don’t see people as “projects” — we see friends. And when we choose to walk alongside them, dignity grows, trust forms, and lives begin to change.
We are experiencing a 32% growth in men and women coming into our day shelter downtown in 2026. As the needs in our city continue to grow, sustaining this ministry requires dependable support from partners who share our mission.
Your monthly contribution provides stability - allowing us to plan, respond, and serve with excellence.
We invite you to prayerfully consider becoming a monthly partner today.
“Urban Purpose helped me get my feet on the ground when no one else would. They’ve given me a new lease on life to grow and become a more responsible member of society.”
— Martin, Transitional Living Friend