UrbanPromise

Updated on Dec 16, 2023

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Founded 1988 Founder(s) Bruce Main		Headquarters Camden, New Jersey
Type of business Non-governmental organization Slogan(s) Believe. Become. Belong. Be Promise Website www.urbanpromiseusa.org

UrbanPromise is an organization in Camden, New Jersey, born out of the community’s need to address the problems of intergenerational poverty and the incarceration of youth.

Mission and History

The mission of UrbanPromise is to equip children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, personal growth and success. Founded in 1988 by Bruce Main and his wife Pamela in the basement of an unused Baptist church, UrbanPromise began with just one adult staff, 12 college-aged volunteers, and an annual budget of only $12,000.

UrbanPromise began as a spin-off of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), and was directly inspired by EAPE founder Dr. Tony Campolo, renowned speaker, author, and sociologist known for his call for Christians to seek justice for the poor and liberation for the oppressed.

Today, the organization has grown to offer myriad youth educational and developmental programming, including an alternative high school, an elementary/middle school, after-school programs, summer camps, teen job training, boat building, environmental and experiential learning, and a host of other enrichment activities.

UrbanPromise challenges Camden youth to develop their academic, social, creative, and leadership potential. From humble beginnings, the organization now boasts a budget of $3.6 million — primarily generated from individual donors who give $500 to $10,000/year — employs more than 50 full-time staff, and serves 600 local youth and families annually. UrbanPromise also engages 500 volunteers annually: 50 college interns, 350 work group individuals, and around 100 local residents.

Vision

The goal of each UrbanPromise program relates to the development of healthy and positive relationships. Many of the organization’s employees and volunteers are UrbanPromise graduates who have returned to Camden to serve their community. Staff work with a group of 50 college-aged interns who commit one to two years to community service in the city of Camden. These interns work with local teens in UrbanPromise’s AfterSchool Programs and Summer Camps; teens are employed as counselors, tutors, and mentors through the organization’s StreetLeader program.

Scope

The majority of children in Camden, New Jersey qualify as “at-risk,” which —as defined by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention — means they are exposed to high levels of risk in their families, homes, communities, and social environments to such a degree that it could lead to educational failure, school dropout, or involvement in juvenile delinquency.

Programming at UrbanPromise is scheduled during the time when youth are most at risk of involvement in crime and violence — between 3 and 9 PM. Through a variety of activities, children and teens are encouraged to avoid negative influences and focus on school through mentoring; community service; life skills classes; tutoring; SAT/ACT prep courses; classes in reading, writing, and math; groups focused on social development; and performing and visual arts.

UrbanPromise’s two schools — particularly its UrbanPromise Academy high school — serve some of the highest risk youth in the city. Many come to the organization after dropping out of public school or involvement in the juvenile justice system. Nevertheless, in 2011, UrbanPromise’s elementary and middle school saw 98% attendance; and 100% percent of UrbanPromise Academy 2011 and 2012 seniors graduated on time. Of UrbanPromise’s 2012 graduating class, 98% have gone on to pursue post-secondary education. Historically, UrbanPromise graduates have had an 85% college completion rate.

UrbanPromise also offers experiential learning activities through its UrbanTrekkers program. Through hands-on learning and outdoor experiences, UrbanTrekkers connects children and teens to the natural world and diverse communities throughout the United States and abroad.

International Replication

The UrbanPromise Camden model has inspired replications around the country and across the globe. UrbanPromise sites within the United States are located in Charlotte, NC, Wilmington, DE, Miami, FL, Trenton, NJ, Little Rock, AR, and Birmingham, AL. These sites minister annually to 457 children and youth in after school programs. There were 827 in attendance among 14 summer camps offered by the various other cities' programs in 2016.

Sites have also been launched and sustained in Canada, Honduras, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Liberia. Each location uses its own local resources, donors, and staff to replicate the Camden-based UrbanPromise. Approximately 2,000 children and youth currently participate in these sites' after school programs, summer camps, feeding programs, and girls' empowerment initiatives. Three private high schools, so far serving approximately 275 students, as well as two homes for orphaned children have been launched in Malawi.

Notable Support

Over the last decade, UrbanPromise has received support from several notable individuals, including ABC News’ Diane Sawyer. Since her 2007 20/20 special “Waiting on the World to Change,” which focused on poverty in Camden and highlighted UrbanPromise, Diane has continued to stay connected to the organization. In September 2012, she was the keynote speaker at UrbanPromise’s 25th Anniversary Banquet held at the Scottish Rite Theatre in Collingswood, New Jersey. Her relationship with UrbanPromise was featured as the cover story in the November 2012 edition of SJ Magazine.

Additional supporters include: David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Denise Morrison, CEO of Campbell Soup Company, and authors Shane Claiborne, Philip Yancey and Brian McLaren.