A Ujamaa Man is a contributing member of a brotherhood of African American men, aged 18-30, enrolled into the Theory of Transformation™. Men who walk through the doors of Ujamaa Place have suffered from chronic bouts of homelessness, unemployment, addiction, connection to the criminal justice system and trauma from living life on the streets. As a result, the men experienced interruptions in their education and are academically performing at a 4-8th grade education level when they enroll in Ujamaa Place. Enrolling into the program model, the Theory of Transformation™ (ToT) journey begins with stabilization services by assigning each man to a high- context coach. Initial mentoring and coaching sessions result in a transformation plan that gives the men access to 37 support services at no charge, used to support reaching their goals outlined in their Individual Transformation Plan (ITP.)
Ujamaa Place serves a population of extreme disadvantage living in extreme poverty concentrated areas where over 40% of the population lives below the federal poverty guidelines. Ujamaa Place draws a straight line from level of education attained to homelessness. Poverty is the root cause of increased crime in communities served by Ujamaa Place. Homelessness and joblessness is the result of education disengagement. Ujamaa Place knows that living wage is over $18.00 for basic needs for a Ujamaa Man who is taking care of at least one child. Based on these factors, Ujamaa Men have a high involvement rate with the Criminal Justice system. Half of its population is employed at minimum wage and homeless. Ujamaa Place, in 10 years of service to marginalized men, 18-30, understands that transformation is not sustainable unless you are providing all the wraparound services that help to reverse the systemic trauma of being born into generations of poverty and inequality.