Lessons Learned

UNP is deeply engaged in social justice work through its efforts to center minoritized voices and engage in efforts that promote systemic change.

Partners and staff talk about UNP in diverse ways, acknowledging this while a shared set of essential values can be internalized by many.

Locating a variety of different kinds of partnerships in a single space creates crosspollination of information; ideas and relationships develop, resulting in hubs of activity.

We are seeing a ripple effect, with partners taking the work in new directions independent of UNP. This is exciting!

We embrace change and see it as a sign of healthy, living systems.

UNP’s central role is that of a convener of people and organizations around ideas and interests.

UNP’s ability to maintain consistency allows for partners to step in and out as needed and the work to flourish when the time is right.

Relationships, in all their forms, are the backbone and heart of the work.

With an eye always towards systemic change, we celebrate all success and look to individual successes as models to help build community pathways for success.

Our process is our product.

Both formal and informal spaces are important to the development of UNP’s work.

We are committed to asking new kinds of questions together.

The west side community is busily engaged in being the creators of their own services, not merely the consumers.