History

The Lorain County Urban League is part of a National Organization that has been in business since 1910. The National Urban League was founded to assist African-Americans who were migrating from the Rural South to the Industrial North. The assistance came in four program areas, Housing, Employment, Education, and overall advocacy issues. Over the years, this plight has evolved into helping move African-Americans and other disadvantaged people of the inner city into the social/economic mainstream of society.

From the outset, the organization focused on the social and economic needs of African-Americans seeking training, improved housing, health, recreation, and job assistance. The organizational model that the League had established in New York City attracted attention and soon affiliates were formed in various cities across the country.

The Lorain County Urban League was created in 1978 by concerned citizens. The Lorain County Urban League continues to sponsor and implement programs compatible with the mission.

The Lorain County Urban League (LCUL) functions as one of the over 100 affiliates of the National Urban League in 34 states and in the District of Columbia. The LCUL main constituents are African-Americans, although we serve other people of color and the economically disadvantaged as well. The Lorain County Urban League has been in existence since 1978 and we are celebrating our 28th year of service to the residents of Lorain County throughout the end of this year, 2006.

The Lorain County Urban League program services consist of four areas: Housing, Economic Development/Employment, Education/Youth Development and Health Prevention, Education and Promotion. These programs are the cornerstones of the Urban League movement. The Lorain County Urban League provides Leadership in all four of these categories on a local, state, and national level.

The LCUL is looked to as an organization that can provide this leadership to its constituents as well as other entities indigenous to the Lorain County, State of Ohio, and the country of the United States.