UrbanPromise Camden, New Jersey
Birthed in Camden, NJ in 1988 as summer day camp, UrbanPromise quickly evolved into a multifaceted ministry that includes after school programs, job training for teens, alternative schools, outdoor expeditionary learning opportunities and a host of other activities drawing inner-city children and teens off the streets and into programs that offer personal transformation and communal change.
Often noted as one of the poorest and most violent cities in the United States, Camden became the community where the UrbanPromise vision of holistic, Christian-based youth development would be developed and refined. In Camden the workers of UrbanPromise have come to believe that the best way to break the cycle of poverty is to equip young people with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and Christian leadership.
After 21 years UrbanPromise continues to find this four-fold, youth development strategy to be an effective approach to raising a new generation of young, educated , faith-filled leaders who embody a biblical vision for transforming their city.
In a community traditionally witnessing over fifty percent of its high school students dropping out of school before 12th grade, UrbanPromise boasts of elevated graduation rates and college attendance. UrbanPromise alumni have attended and graduated from universities and colleges like Howard, Cornell, Eastern, Rowan, Coppin State, Eastern Maryland Shore, Rutgers, Bloomfield College, Farleigh Dickenson, and a host of other schools. Our vision is being fulfilled as young leaders return to Camden as social workers, teachers, youth workers, and business entrepreneurs.
UrbanPromise has been embraced by the Camden community and is viewed as a critical partner in addressing some of the city’s most critical issues. This model of ministry has now been adapted to other under-resourced communities throughout North America and the world.