We are an international organization, founded in 2006, based on Christian principles and
values, that works toward the holistic transformation of fragile cities into SHALOM cities.
We work in Mexico and Colombia with plans to expand globally.
Vision
We see fragile cities with great potential, but impacted by inequality, poverty, hopelessness,
corruption, violence and weak institutions; transformed into
SHALOM cities characterized by
justice, wellbeing, hope, inclusion, safety, resilience and sustainability.
Mission
Develop local leaders and socialstructures* that holistically and sustainably transform their fragile cities, achieving a change toward SHALOM cities.
*We define social structures as groups of citizens, neighborhood committees, community
assemblies, faith communities, civil society organizations, formal alliances between government, businesses and civil society, educational institutions, sports leagues and social movements.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL
To be a global leader in holistic urban transformation, by developing the Urban Mosaic Change Model which can be adapted and scaled by different entities, impacting millions of residents of fragile cities around the world.
OUR STORY
Urban Mosaic started in 2006 in an urban poor community on the periphery of Mexico City.
There we began as a beta site to develop our holistic change model to address the underlying factors that cause poverty, hopelessness, violence, fragmentation and injustice, equipping local leaders to become change agents in their own neighborhoods, through interventions in community and infrastructure development, church planting and mobilization, work with children and youth, public health, economic development, emotional recovery, violence prevention, peace-building and advocacy.
START PHASE
2006-2012
During our first years we developed the DNA of our holistic change model for urban transformation in the municipality of Chimalhuacan. There we began to address poverty from different angles, created faith communities, restored broken relationships, addressed systemic injustice and raised local leaders.
REPRODUCTION PHASE
2012-2016
Starting in the last quarter of 2012, we reproduced our change model in Los Reyes La Paz, a neighboring municipality. It’s been here that we’ve been able to see our change model become more fully enfleshed. 15,000 people have been connected to the public water and drainage system, power dynamics have shifted, and change has happened in ways no one thought possible.
EXPANSION PHASE
2016-2020
After the devastating earthquakes in September 2017, we applied our organizational change model to a disaster relief context, where we were able to provide emotional first aid to over 2,000 residents, helped demolish 207 uninhabitable houses and worked to guarantee the subsequent rebuilding of 200 homes partnering with other organizations.
We also launched our first international expansion site in Barranquilla, Colombia, and formally incorporated in 2019. We furthermore introduced legislation for a national law that will promote citizen participation and anti-corruption measures, to better promote the “right to the city”.
MULTIPLICATION PHASE
2020-2030
Our long-term goal is to take our reproducible change model to other major cities in the developing world by training and coming alongside other organizations, faith-based groups, non-profits and government agencies to sow more hope and impact millions of inhabitants of fragile cities around the world.
