.png)
A place to start fresh
.jpg)
The Umbrella Transition Program is designed to reduce the homeless population in the community by working to develop each individual’s self-sustainability. In a community where there are zero organizations that focus on homelessness with a hands-on approach, we take pride in working this way. We work directly with homeless people on a personal and individual level. We are out in the streets feeding those in need. We are placing people in homes and apartments. We are helping people apply for jobs. With The Umbrella Transition Program, those who felt there was no way, once again become self-sustainable. We believe EVERYONE needs and DESERVES help. No person should ever go without basic necessities. We take pride in attacking homelessness from multiple angles. We are set up to help people learn how to take care of themselves financially. We teach people healthy habits such as diet and physical fitness. We provide counseling for people with alcohol and other drug abuse issues. Our employees have extensive backgrounds in their field of work and are eager to assist those in need every step of the way. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and prepared for their volunteer duties. We provide transportation, food, resources for jobs, clothing, and counseling. As opposed to handouts, we want to give those in need a hand up. In a world where the best has yet to come, people are far more capable than they realize.
About us
Anupama BhattacharyaCo-Founder and Program Counselor
As a child of Immigrants raised in Madison, WI, Anupama learned from a young age the importance of community and belonging. She believes there is great healing found in people coming together through Arts and self-expression. Although she graduated in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2018, she switched career paths to follow her calling in community organizing and uplifting. Since then, she has organized several Art Shows, including Fundraisers that raise money for the local Homeless community. She has volunteered at Porchlight Shelter serving food since childhood and became much more involved with the Homeless community since the pandemic, initially with short-term food and shelter to long term solutions through The Umbrella Transition Program. She is motivated to find a holistic approach to Homelessness, through accountability, community, and creativity.
Rodney Clendening
President and Co-founder
Program Counselor
Born and raised in West Chicago, Rodney is the Second oldest of 10 siblings. A father of two, Rodney and his children love the beach and Theater of any kind. Rodney worked for the Madison School district for 5 years before pursuing his professional mixed martial arts career. While he was lucky enough to never have been homeless himself, he came close to it at times and his family certainly knew what it was like to struggle. This resulted in his passion and dedication to making changes in the Homeless Community. As a sophomore in High School, he volunteered coaching Youth Wrestling. After graduating high school, he began coaching wrestling, track and field, and cross country at Madison Lafollette High School as a Volunteer. From 2014-2019 he volunteered serving food to homeless veterans for the F.A.C.E.S. organization. Rodney is Professional mixed martial arts, he fights out of Perfect Moves in South Madison. Rodney's pro fighting career takes a back seat to working the homeless community.
Damian Clendening
Musician, Entrepreneur
Volunteer Life Coach
From Chicago Illionois Damian is the second oldest son of 10 children. He attended MATC madison, where he studied Law. He shares his visions through the art of rap music and his own urban clothing brand. His 14 years of volunteering in volunteering in the community include; 2000+ hours of childcare, volunteering for the Lancer Wrestling Club, and serving homeles veterans. Outside of dedicating his time to the program, he focuses on clean energy and conservation. His role models are Malcolm X, Che Guevera, Noam Chomsky, David Attenborough and Nipsey Hussle. He Hope's to leave the world a better place for all living things.
Eric "The Artist" Cross
Co-Founder and Program Counselor
.jpg)
Born and partially raised in Savanna La Mar Jamaica. In 1971 Eric and his parents immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada. In 1986 Eric and family found their way to Madison, Wisconsin after his father began working for the United States government. After graduating from Washington State he Attended the UW-Madison, where he got his Ph. D in plant sciences. Eric is a very accomplished Artist and musician. He is credited with doing a great amount of Cover Art for one of the best selling bands of all time, 7 time Grammy winning, Earth Wind and Fire. His hobbies include history research, reading, gardening, verticulture and horticulture. His service to the community includes; 1200+ volunteer hours with Street Link (pop up homeless shelters) in Ontario, Canada. 4000 hours of volunteering for the Department of Vita Culture, and he has been a Feed the Masses volunteer in Madison, WI (Black Umbrella Global)
Abhik Bhattachaarya
Industrial Engineer, Exact Sciences
Volunteer Life Coach
Immigrating from India about three decades ago, Abhik finds Madison as his second home and feels strongly about spending time doing community building activities. He has been closely associated with local Indian and Bengali communities. As a longtime treasurer for Vedanta Society of Madison, Abhik has been serving dinner at a homeless shelter in Grace Episcopal Church run by Porchlight for near a decade. Since the pandemic disrupted some of those schedules, Abhik got engaged in building tiny homes for the Occupy Madison group. The mission and vision of the transition program and it’s unique nature motivated Abhik to get engaged as a volunteer. He finds time to serve for the program beyond his full-time job at a local biotechnology company. Abhik graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and obtained Six Sigma Black Belt certificate from American Society of Quality (ASQ). He is a dedicated family (also handy) man. He lives with his longtime wife Saswati and pursues hobbies ranging from fixing house defects to playing an Indian percussion instrument.
Chris Walls
Merchandiser, The Walls Company
Volunteer Life Coach
Born in Tacoma Washinton, and grew up in St Louis, Missouri Chris moved to Madison in the summer of 2012. He is a the owner/operator of The Walls Company, A custom clothing business. Chris attended Southern Illinois University where he majored in Mass Communications and minored in Theater. His volunteering for the community dates back to College where he always made time to serve homeless people in the community in various feed kitchens and food pantries. Most recently working with Black Umbrella Global serving lunch and dinner during their Feed the Masses events.
