It’s a moment I wish every UrbanPromise supporter could experience.
It’s difficult to put into words.
Moving. Inspiring. Revealing. Encouraging. Challenging.
Imagine 70 teenagers sitting quietly in a room—curious, engaged, and completely captivated.
Imagine five UrbanPromise alumni—Josh, Leroy, Indigo, Dennis, and Danielle—sharing how UrbanPromise shaped their lives and prepared them for adulthood.
“The fact that UrbanPromise is still running strong,” Josh shared, “means you get to have the same experience we had when we were younger.”
Today, Josh works for the New Jersey State Parole Board.
“I learned public speaking here. I was ready when I got to college.”
Danielle, now a social worker in Camden, reflected on the deeper meaning of community.
“UrbanPromise became family. When my brother was killed, it was UrbanPromise who showed up—to the hospital, to the funeral. They listened. They provided. They were there.”
But it was Indigo’s story that stayed with me.
“When I came to summer camp as a kid, I was bullied on the first day. Two StreetLeaders stood up for me. After that, I never wanted to go home. I loved it here.”
Today, Indigo has come full circle and teaches English at UrbanPromise Academy. She challenged the next generation of StreetLeaders with these words:
“Your leadership matters. That’s why you’re called StreetLeaders. You’re not just leaders when you come to UrbanPromise. You’re leaders when you leave this place—when you’re back in your neighborhood.”
As I listened, I was reminded that UrbanPromise is about so much more than summer camps, schools, or job programs.
Today reminded me that UrbanPromise is so much more than summer camps, job programs and schools. After almost 40 years of presence in Camden, our dedicated team has created a close knit network of alumni who still feel connected and part of this mission. We’ve built a community who delight in passing down wisdom, traditions and values from one generation to another. It’s what our world needs. Powerful.
That’s good news for today, tomorrow and years to come.
Bruce Main
Founder