Our History

The Urban Promise program was founded in Camden, notoriously known as one of the most dangerous cities in the nation.  This life changing vision has successfully transformed hundreds of children and families in the city, raising up a generation of young people who are prepared to accept the responsibilities and challenges of leadership.  80% of the children who enrolled in Urban Promise over the last 15 years have gone on to college.

Urban Promise is a visionary program founded in 1988 with a primary mission to “equip Camden’s children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and Christian leadership.”   The organization seeks to achieve this goal through a variety of programs, including after school programs, summer camps, alternative schools, job training and other initiatives.

Urban Promise ministry has had incredible success in the inner cities of Camden, New Jersey. The success of the Camden program prompted its successful replication in several other cities, including Wilmington, Delaware, Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia.  We are fully committed to seeing this successful program begin to impact young lives on Staten Island, and throughout the city of New York, we are launching a pilot program to begin in Summer, 2008 using the Urban Promise model to bring light to the at risk communities of our area.