UrbanPromise’s mission is to equip children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and Christian leadership.
This year is the 25th anniversary of UrbanPromise Ministries, which began as EAPE’s after-school and summer camp program initiated by Tony Campolo in Camden, New Jersey 25 years ago under the leadership of the indefatigable Bruce Main. UrbanPromise has become what we consider to be America’s very best inner-city youth ministry organization.
The core of the organization is about relationships and the message that every child and teen is wonderfully created in the image of God. Through a myriad of neighborhood-based programs, UrbanPromise educates and empowers around 640 Camden children and teens each year. Within each of its programs, children and teens are encouraged to focus on their studies and achieve academically, and 93% enroll in college.
Today, because of the faithful and generous support of people like you, UrbanPromise is a thriving ministry that has duplicated its effective AfterSchool and StreetLeader Programs in Trenton, New Jersey and Miami, Florida as well as in Vancouver, Toronto, Malawi, Honduras and Uganda.
Teens employed by UrbanPromise within the StreetLeader Program act as counselors, tutors and role models for children in the AfterSchool Program and summer camps. It costs $11 a day, $325 a month or $3900 for a whole year to support an inner-city teen as a StreetLeader. This year, your support will help us sustain 40 additional StreetLeaders in inner-city neighborhoods where UrbanPromise has expanded its ministry.
The Latest from UrbanPromise
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Celebrating 26 Years of Promise in Camden
Last year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of UrbanPromise with a banquet that featured Tony and a keynote address from Diane Sawyer. Ms. Sawyer has been a guest of UrbanPromise before and featured their work in Camden in her 2007 special report for ABC News program, 20/20.
Prior to last year’s banquet Tony reflected on how UrbanPromise began and praised Bruce Main for his leadership and accomplishments over the years. As Tony said “Giving birth to UrbanPromise is one of EAPE’s most notable achievements and we celebrate their 25 years of hard, but glorious service for Christ and His Kingdom.” Click here to read all of Tony’s thoughts about the first 25 years of Urban Promise.
Now it’s time to celebrate the next 25 years of Promise in Camden, and we hope you’ll join us on Thursday, October 24 for An inspiring program of personal testimony, a word from Dr. Bruce Main, dance, music, and more by UrbanPromise youth; and a gourmet dinner prepared by local chefs and restaurant owners.If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, I encourage you to attend this event – you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll leave with renewed hope about all that God is doing in Camden.
Click here to learn more and register for tickets.
