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Urban Alchemy: Transforming Atlanta's streets with compassionate outreach

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Published  September 11, 2025 10:43pm EDT
Atlanta
FOX 5 Atlanta
What is Urban Alchemy?

What is Urban Alchemy?

Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that began operating in Atlanta last month, is putting workers with lived experience on city streets to connect people facing homelessness, mental health issues or addiction with resources and housing.

The Brief

    • Urban Alchemy employs staff with lived experience, including 96% who were incarcerated and homeless, to connect people with resources and housing through compassion and respect.
    • The organization has successfully housed individuals in Atlanta, partnering with nonprofits to provide immediate housing solutions and support.
    • A Stanford study indicated a 52% crime reduction in San Francisco areas where Urban Alchemy operates, though critics question the study's validity.

ATLANTA - Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that began operating in Atlanta last month, is putting workers with lived experience on city streets to connect people facing homelessness, mental health issues or addiction with resources and housing. The organization says 96% of its employees have been incarcerated and homeless and describes its mission as healing communities through compassion and respect.

What they're saying:

All day, every day, staff members like Dana Goodwin and Kenneth Franklin fan out to build relationships. "We make it personal. And I think that’s what gets results," said Kenneth Franklin who has worked for Urban Alchemy for 3 years in other cities. "I was incarcerated for 16 years. Now we’re out here helping the people because we know what it takes to be out here," said Franklin.

Since arriving in Atlanta, the group has partnered with existing nonprofits to connect people with services and housing. "We actually housed four people today, and we got more housing to do tomorrow. Like, literally, they’re getting their keys and moving in. And it was just a great feeling. We definitely feel like we can solve a problem," said Goodwin.

People on the streets say they are already seeing results. Jason Jones, who has lived outside for about three years, said a meeting a few weeks ago set him on a path to a bed indoors. "I’ll be housed potentially by the 18th, So I’m really excited. The program was amazing," said Jones.

The backstory:

Urban Alchemy started in San Francisco in 2018 and now operates in several cities. A Stanford University study published last year showed crime in San Francisco was down 52% in areas where the group operates. Critics argue the study was flawed and crime shifted to other locations.

The Source: FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with members of Urban Alchemy for this article.

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