"Each persons life has the capability of bringing them to their knees at some point. It can and does happen to each of us and may just appear different on the surface. Unconditional love and understanding is a platform of hope that Em and Al continue to spread and inspire people to share."

-Alysha Brillinger (International Recording Artist)


"I realized that a lot of people you don't normally think you'd like, you can end up becoming best friends with and they can teach you absolutely anything!"

- Emily T. (Oakville, ON)


"Everything you two talk about sent chills through me, because 8 years after my Urban Excursion experiences, the message and purpose is still the same. I can look back and view my trips as the two most life altering experiences of my life. They instill so much compassion and respect for others, regardless of their circumstance."

- Josh Hackler (Kansas)


"I spent the last year traveling through India and Nepal and I can't even begin to count the number of people I encountered who felt that they had to go to Asia or the Amazon or (insert spiritual hotspot) to volunteer, take workshops, and to come to greater understandings of themselves and the world around them, many of whom were returning to these destinations because they had 'lost' those perspectives when they were back in the west. (Not to undermine the experience of these countries nor to exclude myself from this group). I think it is such a beautiful thing to be able to open your eyes the same way in your own community and your own home."

- Carly W. (Toronto, ON)

"UrbanEx helps students explore the world of poverty in a wide variety of forms. They help students to explore their roles and their Moments of Truth. They lead a thought provoking talk that helps students to live their lives more authentically."

- Steve De Quintal (Teacher at Bishop Marrocco-Thomas Merton School, Toronto, ON)


"Our very first 'Social Heroes' choice (on Alternavox.net) was none other than the incredibly unique and creative UrbanEx. I must admit that when I first met them I was so overwhelmed with the scope of their idea that it took me some time to make sense of it all, but the more I heard the more I convinced myself that they are up to something of genuine consequence and a unique way to open all of our eyes to issues of social justice and how we see ourselves in relation to our social environments. While many organizations focus on the structural causes of social issues, and rightfully so, I have a feeling that UrbanEx is also very much interested in the human interaction aspect of it all, which makes them quite unique."

- Mikhail Saavedra (Publisher-Creator of Alternavox.net, Canada)


"They have reached and found a part of me I never meant for others to see. With my history, showing this side of me has proven in the past to be unhealthy for me. I have be beaten, abused both sexually and emotionally, gang-raped and almost killed...all, I believed, just for existing. But I believe this cycle is about to be broken. It's emotional...but at least I'm feeling...really feeling. It's like being reborn. Since I have met "C" (who shared about her Excursion with me) and she introduced me to Em and Al and UrbanEx, I have found sharing to be another way to warm my heart and soul."

- Kathleen (Kitchener, ON)


"Thanks for your time and helping our students have new eyes for our downtown."

- University of Waterloo Inter-varsity Group (Waterloo, ON)

"I learned more about giving, loving and respect during my Excursions than I ever could have from school or a textbook. Sunjye pretty much summed up the experience when he said that we have to learn to be something bigger than ourselves. When I was in high school, I was pretty sure of who I was. I was decently confident and was happy with myself. Then I went to university and lost that. I didn't necessarily change myself, but lost all confidence in who I was. Much as I love my friends, I was very different from them and they wasted no time in pointing out those differences. When I graduated university I wasn't really sure how to put myself out into the world, who to be. I liked who I was before, but then had 4 years of hearing that that person didn't fit in. You started me on the path to rediscovering and accepting myself. You both gave me a place to fit in, because you offer a space where everyone fits. And you gave me an outlet where someone would actually listen. The Excursions have been huge for me, a creative outlet and a way to both challenge and affirm who I am. (Those collages are so much more than pictures on a canvas!!) Don't ever stop loving people; it makes more of an impact than you know. I really am going to try changing the world by changing me. Thank you for giving me the chance to do that.


Processing these Ex's serve dual purposes for me, because I so rarely get the opportunity to really process stuff. My second Excursion was cool, but also crazy for me because I was seeing people that I had already met and fell in love with. So it was the same, without being the same at all. I fell more in love with each of them. One thing I found I noticed more when seeing them was their laughs. All of them have incredible, infectious, unique laughs. I started to 'get it' with the first Ex, but this one really solidified for me the importance of moment-making. I realized that a lot of times, if people lose their dignity, they have nothing left. I think I need to keep reminding myself what Al and Em both said about creating special moments for people even if you can't change the rest of their bigger circumstances. The people that we met have had left such a huge impression on my heart...I hope that in some small way I've done the same for them."

- Spenser C. (Georgetown, ON)


"Pine Grove is an educational program for students with severe and diverse behavioral, social and emotional needs with ages ranging between 10-21 years old. It was our pleasure to have Em and Alan come to 2 of our classes to discuss homelessness, positive relationships, poverty, and abuse. They invited the group to sit with them on the floor and discuss some very difficult issues. Some of which very closely reflect the lives of our students. Our students were immediately at ease with them; Em and Al were very respectful, supportive, inclusive and encouraging. This whole experience was very empowering and positive for our students; they enjoyed Em and Al immensely and are still talking about their visit. They presented a very positive role model for our kids and were able to successfully engage our students about difficult topics. They are wonderful facilitators of these important social justice issues and are making a difference."

-Principal Lynn Buckley (Rosemount Family of Schools - Pine Grove Program, Kitchener, ON)


"I wanted to say thank you to you and the team! Our meeting was in the most difficult time in my life. The things that we did together really helped me to understand life better. I kept my dolphin made by soap and remember how simple and beautiful the existence can be. I can recognize the moments of truth now."

- Kiril (Bulgaria)


"The South Dakota crew inspired me. Not just with the way they opened themselves to the process but the way they perservered and became determined in their efforts. They showed some SERIOUS character and have had me looking even closer at how I conduct my own life. I know even more than I did before that the work you do is not just important, it's essential. It boils down to this: When you are left with nothing but the truth about yourself and can love that, you free in yourself the passion and purpose to acheive anything."

- Kevin S.(Kitchener, ON)

"I want to let you know that you guys have an amazing gift. You have a God-given gift of making people feel loved; you make everyone feel special, unique, and confident. You have made a big imprint in my heart. I also want you to know that not only me but everyone else that went to Urban Ex was really touched by the love and kindness you gave us that week. And no one is going to forget the life changing time we had with you guys! Thanks again for organizing the trip for us, the things I learned will stick with me forever."

- Kailey E. (Sarnia, ON)


"You are earth angels and inspire me daily to do more, give more, listen more, view the world outside of my own life."

- Brenda (Cambridge, ON)


"What I experienced in Toronto was a life changing two-week trip that still has profound effects in my daily life. My heart was broken by the reality of what was happening daily, not only in Toronto, but all around the world. How could I not live differently after such an experience? I will never forget the faces, stories, smells and sights of Toronto's streets. The interactions with those on the streets in Toronto changed my life. It changed my perspective on those who often are avoided or ignored. I learned what true community and family are from the street people as they were so willing to give me anything even the shirt off their back. I learned that just because I have money, a place to stay and clean clothes does not mean I am better. I learned a lot from the people we met and was humbled continuously."

- Tim Kramer (Minnesota)


"UrbanEx is our reminder that the oxygen to life is relational."

- Leah Blenkhorn (London, ON)


“Em and Alan provided fantastic well-rounded discussion that included stories, highly engaging Q & A sessions, as well as impassioned discussions. This created an environment of equality and sharing that Em and Alan used to communicate. It also allowed them to share moving stories which, I can attest to, resonated in my classroom discussions for months afterwards. Rather than just deliver the facts, Em and Alan used their work (and personal stories) as a launching pad to engage students, challenging them to consider the potential personal applications from the discussions. The positive effects of this were seen far beyond those 2 days. They are incredibly versatile speakers and would be valuable in a wide variety of arenas because of their ability to engage their audience.”

-Jon Corbin (Teacher at Abbey Park High School, Oakville, ON)


"I’ve had a long conversation with Em and Alan and can’t help feeling amazement at the work they’ve taken on and how they bring many souls together to make this corner of the world better for all involved."

- Julia Brown (freelance journalist, ON)


"I would recommend UrbanEx to anyone, especially to those who live in a comfortable middle to upper class family and have never known want, or listened to a 16 year old street kid cry as she tells you about how her father beat her, or talked to a schizophrenic drunk homeless man tell you why he hates his life. These are the reasons I continued to go to Toronto '01-'03; Because I could offer hope and a listening ear to a hurting people. I learned that by looking a person in the eyes, lending a listening ear, or eating a meal with someone gave them the dignity they deserve as a human being. We have a lot of respect and gratitude for Em who honestly seeks to bring a living hope to a dying world. They have labored long and patiently if only to help some. I believe the groups that I went with and those who heard about the trips from us were intrinsically changed because of our experiences."

- Dana Kramer (Minnesota)

“Alan and Em were very effective at communicating with the students on a personal, yet professional level. With the delivery of topics in such an honest and heartfelt way, Alan and Em quickly gained their respect. All students listened intently and were engaged in the presentation. The receptive feedback was astonishing and many students felt inspired and motivated to make a change not only for themselves, but also others with less fortunate circumstances. I find their ability to connect with students and facilitate discussion of such topics to be invaluable.”

-Annette Massecar (Teacher at Abbey Park High School, Oakville, ON)


"It's forever, literally, changed me. I can honestly say I look at people differently, I respect people differently and I'm not afraid to love somebody who I may normally have driven by. It was a definite perspective change for me."

- Will Kallhoff (Young Adult Pastor, Mitchell Wesleyan Church, SD)


"There is SO much I could say about my one-day Excursion experience. It was challenging, inspiring, difficult, emotion stirring, eye opening, freeing and on and on! My comfort zone has been stretched alot over many years of mission work and other life circumstances, and an excursion with UrbanEx continues to stretch that zone! My short Excursion experience confirmed the need in me and for all of us to continue to support Em and Al. They are exactly where they need to be and doing what they need to be doing! Al and Em are a great team; they work very well together. Each with their own gifts and strenghths, and they are all needed! I could not do what they are doing, not many could! I challenge everyone who gets to read this to take a day or more if you can and join an Excursion. It will challenge and change you in order to help others!"

- Roger Lichti (Kitchener, ON)


"UrbanEx changed my life and my perspective on the world and it deeply impacted the lives of my team! I was looking for a trip where my students could broaden their perspective on the world. I also wanted them to get to know some new people and hear their stories and what they have experienced in their lives. I wanted an experience that would change the student's outlook on life and the way they treat people who aren't like them. I believe all this and more is what my team experienced on their UrbanEx experience. My team was able to bond in a way that I don't believe they could have in any other experience. It was amazing to see them have to work together. The impact on the student's home life was even greater. UrbanEx gave them a new perspective on the way they see other people and gave some of them a little more boldness to talk to people they didn't already know. They have a new passion to reach out to the less fortunate in their own community now. I would highly recommend UrbanEx to any group that wants an amazing team building and life-changing opportunity. "

- Jeremy Little (Kansas)


"Alan and Em have been such a positive force in both of our lives and for that we are forever grateful! They are a special breed whose compassion, beautiful spirit and immense kindness touch everyone around them. We hope that their message and influence continue to spread exponentially as they call people and communities to action."

- Robbert (Holland) & Carly (Toronto, ON)


"I will never be the same. Before going to Toronto for UrbanEx I had been experiencing life in a one-sided sort of way. Everything that happened I wanted to control and allow through my view of how I should experience life. After UrbanEx I realized that living in a controlled environment is very limiting. Through the people of UrbanEx--who come from ALL walks of life--I have allowed my life to become experienced in a more uncontrolled, moment by moment way."

- Natalie Noble (Oklahoma)

"I was so excited to see how my second Excursion would change the rest of my group but I didn’t realize I was the one who needed the change. I went through the first part of the week just taking things in and about halfway through the trip I was sitting and was thinking about everything going on inside of me. I cried and for me this was a huge break through because I was always the strong one and now the tables were turned. I felt that I had to be perfect because I knew people looked to me for help. Em relieved me by saying said "Sometimes crying is more beautiful than smiling." As our conversation went on I soon realized that the roots of what was really going on inside of me was that I was figuring out who I am. Em & Al told me that it is okay to wrestle with that because I was in a safe environment. I totally for the first time in a long time felt alive. We did another debriefing session that night and I learned so much more about who I am. It is crazy to think how ten days of intensity can change you and force you to look deep down inside of you in parts of you that you never knew existed. I know I have to continue to spend time figuring out with who I am. Thank you for all your help, love and support as I journeyed in Canada."

- Ali (South Dakota)


"Recently we invited Em Johnson and Alan Waugh from UrbanEx to speak with our church and the response from our community was very visible. Em & Alan's stories and the unfolding vision of UrbanEx connected with all ages. In fact, the connection seemed most profound amongst our youth. Our youth and young adults want to be real & be practical about social justice work, while simultaneously, learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus in their own environments. I have great confidence that UrbanEx is going to play a significant role with our church to this end."

- Pastor Wayne MacQueen (Thames Valley Vineyard Church, London, Ontario)

"UrbanEx has simply changed who I am, the way I see people, and my perceptions about them. Not just people who live on the streets, but everyone. I've realized that I'll never be able to understand fully what people have been through and how that shapes the way they are. But what UrbanEx has done is changed my heart, so that my first response is that of love which bypasses all misunderstanding (which I personally believe Jesus did). Thanks UrbanEx for your commitment to helping people love, you really are changing the world by facilitating change in the people you walk with."

- Evan Bradley (Wyoming)


"I met both of these outstanding human beings (Alan & Em) in November 2006. With time I began to realize the immense gifts and compassion both of them carry in regards to relating to other people, especially those in need. I have witnessed time and again both Em and Alan give of themselves deeply and without hope of return. They are dignity advocates of the grandest sort and are truly blessed with patience, commitment and a sense of purpose that is rarely seen. Their concern for others is astounding and their ability to relate to people, especially those that have been 'outcast' from our society is immense. At the same time they are able to see the gifts these people possess and empower them to greatness, when so many others would have abandoned them."

- Dr. Lisa Simpson McQuarrie (Essence of Life, Kitchener, Ontario)


"I highly recommend UrbanEx for whatever endeavors they pursue in life. I have witnessed firsthand their sacrifice in serving the least, the lost and left out of our society. The Sharing Place was not the only place where they volunteered their services for several years. Under their leadership they sought to teach the youth through practical hands-on service to build bridges to those that we often turn our backs on. Their approach has been relational and done in love."

- Rev. Michael Zita (The Sharing Place, Toronto, ON)


"There are certain people in the world that make great things happen - sometimes it's even hard to articulate what it is that makes what they do successful - you just know if they're involved you repeatedly experience success in a magnitude above what you'd expect and hope. Em and Alan are two such people and as a team they are powerful. They have great insight into the human condition and are also very creative. Through their genuine respect for all people and their innate ability to value each individual under all circumstances, both Em and Alan have truly walked great distances in other people's shoes. They make a difference in people's lives; both in the moment and ongoing through their personal relationships, and in practical ways such as helping connect people with housing, providing food, getting them connected with essential services, or encouraging their dreams. Through this they are amazing mentors to other volunteers. Although the OOTC program can be challenging at times, Em and Alan's influence has produced a group of dedicated, respectful and loving volunteers that provide the foundation for a peaceful program each week. This is sustainable regardless of whether or not Alan and Em are present. They have been able to envision Urban Excursion and I have no doubt that they will be successful in creating it and achieving its vision in practical and relevant ways."

- Pat Folkerts (Site Coordinator - Out of the Cold, Kitchener, ON)


"I did not expect to have my life impacted by so many wonderful opportunities and people. I never would have stopped if UrbanEx did not teach me the importance of looking in unexpected places. I also learned what it means to truly listen to people and the world around you. Sometimes being quiet is what you need to do. Everyone needs someone and that is one of the biggest lessons learned. I also realized just how important dignity is to all people no matter what state or condition they are in. My experience with Urban Ex was a great cultural experience as well. I tried food I never would have. I came out of the box that I lived in and I for once in a long time did not think of just myself."

- Sarah Proffitt (Michigan)


"Thanks for inspiring me more than you know and for showing me that love really is the first thing we need. I'm not bold or outgoing. But I know it's not bad now to smile at someone who is passing or waiting. I think I'm not as shy when talking and more willing to have a conversation. That doesn't mean I know how to start one but I kinda know how to keep it up."

- Abigail (South Dakota)


"I went into my first Urban Ex experience with my usual skeptical sensibility... I came out realizing those I'd ignored for so long are no different than you or I - it's all about the curve balls life throws us - and that all people are really wanting is a kind word, a gentle touch, their dignity restored and recognized. I start each day now wondering about the people I've met and I'm proud to call them my friends... Thanks for all you do to open the eyes of so many..."

- Ron Trumble (Oklahoma)