A Path To Promise
Working Towards a Brighter Future
As a Christian Community Development organization we utilize a Positive Youth Development model in all our youth programs. Our activities are designed to be a catalyst that inspire youth and their families to reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Our programs begin at birth and support families across the lifespan of their children providing ongoing programming through high school.
Our Mission
CincinnatiUrbanPromise,Inc.seekstocreateholisticchange inthelivesofyouthandtheirfamiliesbymeetingtheir physical,emotional,academicandspiritualneedsthrougha Christ-centeredapproachtoeducation,empowerment,and lovingrelationships.
Impact Snapshot
405 Individuals served by our organization in the 2024-2025 academic year.
106 Students in grades K - 12 served by our academic enrichment and workforce development programs
56 Students ages infant to Kindergarten served by Little Promises Preschool and Urban Promise Academy
Message from our Executive Director
As we look back on the 2024–2025 year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that God has done through the ministry of Cincinnati Urban Promise. This has been a year marked by growth, resilience, and deep evidence of His faithfulness.
At Urban Promise Academy, we celebrated a nother successful year of learning and leadership as we continued expanding grade levels and welcoming new families into our school community. Our students are growing not only in knowledge but also in character discovering their God-given gifts and learning to lead with purpose through The Leader in Meframework
Our Leaders of Promise afterschool and Summer of Promise programs provided hundreds of children with a safe, joyful space to learn, play, and grow in confidence. Through mentorship, literacy support, and creative enrichment, students experienced the love of Christ in both word and action. At Little Promises Preschool, our youngest learners thrived under the care of teachers who model patience, grace, and compassion every day.
WestRoots, our teen workforce and urban agriculture program, continued to flourish helping young people develop job skills, stewardship, and a sense of responsibility as they work the land and serve their community.
Each of these stories is a reflection of God’s love poured out through the hands and hearts of our staff, volunteers, and partners We are continually reminded that every seed planted whether in a garden, a classroom, or a child’s heart matters deeply to Him
As we celebrate the achievements of this year, we do so with humility and gratitude for what God has already done and expectation for what He will do next. Thank you for walking alongside us, for praying, serving, and giving so that our families may continue to experience the transforming power of His love.
Rev. Abe Brandyberry Executive Director, Cincinnati Urban Promise
Program Achievements Outcome
Early Childhood Education
Leaders of Promise After School Enrichment
Summer of Promise Academic Enrichment
Increased our SUTQ Rating to Gold, Was awarded the Ohio Infant Expansion Grant and added a class of 8 infants. Increased alignment with Urban Promise Academy’s kindergarten readiness goals.
Additional partnerships with Project Yoga and Abrakadoodle enhanced opportunities for student enrichment .
All students received tuition assistance through ECE, PFCC, and Preschool Promise funding; 95% of graduates demonstrated kindergarten readiness benchmarks.
WestRoots Urban Agriculture
For the first time, this program was licensed through ODJFS enabling it to bring in additional funding.
Served approximately 40 students daily with measurable gains in reading fluency and socialemotional growth.
Urban Promise Academy
Launched first full growing season of hydroponic and soil-based production; expanded to include paid teen internships, workforce training, and neighborhood market sales.
Launched with Kindergarten class of 7 students. Was awarded a three year grant from Drexel Foundation for launch of the academy.
ODJFS licensure enables this program to be sustainable long term.
20 teens completed workforce training and 3 earned ongoing part-time employment; over 350 pounds of produce harvested and shared with the community.
Students demonstrated strong academic growth and leadership development; 100% of families participated in at least one school event or conference.
Measurable Results Assessment Data
Each year, Cincinnati Urban Promise participates in the Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) a research-based survey that helps organizations reflect on growth in Leadership, Culture, and Academics through The Leader in Me framework. The MRA gathers insight from students, staff, and families to show how well our community is living out our belief that every child can be a leader and that educators and families together develop the whole child.
In spring 2025, CUP programs earned an overall score of 83, maintaining a strong Effective rating across all three areas. Over the past four years, our overall scores have risen from 78 (2022) to 83 (2025), reflecting steady, faith-filled growth.
Leadership scores showed the year’s most remarkable gain: teacher confidence in developing student leaders grew by 18 points (69 → 87). Students continue to strengthen personal responsibility, relationships, and self-advocacy learning that leadership begins with character and service.
Our Culture scores reached new heights, with School Climate and Belonging both at 93, the highest in CUP history. These results affirm that students feel cared for, valued, and empowered. Teachers reported feeling supported and purposeful, echoing a culture rooted in love and trust.
In Academics, teachers scored Instructional Efficacy at 89 and Student Goal Support at 88, demonstrating excellence in guiding students to set and a mained d
T continues to s and hope for th
.
Urban Promise Academy: Extending the Promise of Early Learning
The 2024–2025 school year marked a milestone for Cincinnati Urban Promise with the official opening of Urban Promise Academy, a K–6 faith-based elementary school designed as a natural extension of our highly successful Little Promises Preschool. 100% of our students attend tuition-free.
Our vision for the Academy is rooted in the belief that every child is created by God with unique gifts and potential. Families who begin their journey with Little Promises now see their children continuing to grow academically and spiritually within the same community.
In spring 2025, Urban Promise Academy administered its first round of NWEA MAP Growth assessments to kindergarten students. The results provide a clear picture of early academic success and affirm the strength of the preschool-to-elementary transition:
Reading: The class average fell within the 90th percentile nationally, with students demonstrating exceptional early literacy, phonics, and vocabulary skills. Several students scored above the 95th percentile, indicating performance typically seen in advanced early readers.
Math: The group average landed around the 80th percentile, showing strong foundational understanding of number sense, measurement, and problem-solving skills. Students demonstrated early proficiency in recognizing patterns, comparing quantities, and understanding shapes.
WestRoots: Cultivating Leaders, Feeding Our Community
This year was a remarkable season of growth for WestRoots Urban Agriculture, CUP’s teen workforce and farm-based education program. What began as a small pilot project has quickly become a cornerstone of our work where children and youth learn stewardship, entrepreneurship, healthy living, and the dignity of work through hands-on engagement with God’s creation.
Expanding Student Impact: Pre-K Through Eighth Grade
WestRoots now reaches students from preschool through eighth grade, integrating agricultural education across Urban Promise Academy, Leaders of Promise Afterschool, and the Summer of Promise programs.
Little Promises Preschool students tended raised beds, harvested produce, and explored sensory gardens.
Kindergarten through 6th grade received weekly ag-education lessons connected to science, nutrition, and environmental care.
Afterschool and summer students participated in garden clubs, cooking lessons, composting projects, and leadership roles in farm maintenance.
This year, more than 200 students engaged with WestRoots in meaningful ways, deepening their connection to the land and understanding food systems from seed to harvest.
WestRoots: Continued
Teen Workforce Development: A Pathway to Employment
One of the program’s greatest advances was the launch of a full-time paid youth employment pathway, thanks to a partnership with Harbor, a mental health services partner. Through this collaboration six teens earned full-time employment working with WestRoots during the summer seasons.
This partnership has paved the way for a sustainable teen workforce pipeline that prioritizes youth from marginalized communities and prepares them for long-term success.
Sales & Community Presence at the Westwood Farmers Market WestRoots strengthened its community visibility through a presence at the Westwood Farmers Market, where students sold fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, and hydroponically grown greens. Student workers handled transactions, engaged customers, and shared the story of CUP’s mission turning each market day into a leadership and entrepreneurship experience.
Transforming Campus Into an Edible Landscape
Perhaps the most transformational milestone of the year was the conversion of the entire CUP property from front lawn to back field—into an edible learning landscape. This transformation not only increased our growing capacity but also turned our campus into a living curriculum where every walkway, garden bed, and greenhouse teaches stewardship, sustainability, and the biblical call to care for creation.
CUP Enrichment: Leaders of Promise After School
The Leaders of Promise Afterschool program continue to equip young people with the tools, confidence, and character to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
2024–2025 Outcomes and Impact
Academic Reinforcement: Over 80% of participants maintained or improved academic performance.
Leadership Growth: Using The Leader in Me Measurable Results Assessment (MRA), students demonstrated significant improvement in leadership skills such as goal setting, teamwork, and self-management. Student self-efficacy and empowerment scores increased by more than 9 points, mirroring the growth seen at Urban Promise Academy.
Positive Engagement: Family surveys reported 100% satisfaction with staff communication and program quality, and 94% of parents agreed that the program helped their child grow in confidence and character.
Faith Formation: Weekly devotionals, service projects, and mentoring circles gave students tangible ways to apply biblical principles of love, integrity, and perseverance. Many students voluntarily led prayer, Scripture readings, and peer encouragement activities evidence of spiritual as well as academic growth.
CUP Enrichment: Summer of Promise
The Summer of Promise Academic Enrichment program builds upon the foundation of the after school program, with a vibrant blend of academics, creativity, and community connection.
2024–2025 Outcomes and Impact
Through a partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Bridge Program, four college student interns joined our teaching team bringing new energy, ideas, and mentorship while gaining valuable experience in urban education. This collaboration allowed Cincinnati Urban Promise to expand summer enrollment capacity while maintaining small class sizes and individualized attention. Savings on staffing costs were reinvested to increase the number of group leaders, ensuring a ratio of one adult for every eight students.
Literacy workshops focused on reading fluency, comprehension, and creative writing STEM and entrepreneursh that connected math and s real-world problem solving Art, music, and outdoor le experiences that fostered c and joy.
As a result, 65 students com eight-week summer sessi demonstrating strong eng and measurable gains in re math readiness. Teachers o improved confidence and c and families noted that students returned to school in the fall better prepared academically and socially.
2024-2025 Program Partners
Abrakadoodle
Amicus Adult Pre-Apprenticeship Training
Amicus Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Training
Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Cincinnati Public Schools
Cheviot Elementary School
ChildFocus
Christ Cathedral
Civic Garden Center
Gamble Montessori Elementary School
Gamble Montessori High School
Hamilton County Youth Employment
Harbor/Lighthouse EAP Leader in Me
My Neighbor’s Place
Ohio Department of Children and Youth
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Project Yoga
Roll Hill Elementary School
St. James Epsicopal
Strategies to End Homelessness
Third Presbyterian Church
University of Cincinnati
WAVE Foundation
WestCURC
Westwood Community Kitchen
Westwood Elementary School
Westwood Grows
Westwood United Methodist Church
Westwood Presbyterian Church
Westwood Works
Western Hills Athletic Association
Whole Again
Xavier University
2024-2025 Financial Partners
Allison Zent Edwards Charitable Fund
Bob Hafertepen
Carla Carr
City of Cincinnati
Drexel Fund
Edelweiss Foundation
Robert Ehrsam
Episcopal Society of Christ Church
Terry Farmer
Freestore Foodbank
Stephen and Ann Florian
John and Teresa Foister
George B Riley Trust Estate
Haile Foundation
Hamilton County Workforce Development
Harvest Home Fair Association, Inc.
Diane Iseman
Brian Kirkpatrick
Knox Presbyterian Church
Koch Foods of Cincinnati, LLC
Liz Martini
Matthew 25 Ministries
Millstone Foundation
TanyaMurphy
NAMI-UrbanGreatCincinnati
NorthsideBankandTrust
OhioChildrensFoundation
OhioDepartmentofEducationandWorkforce
OhioDepartmentofChildrenandYouth
PfauCharitableFoundation
JeanMRieder
CarolSears
Laura&DouglasSkidmore
St.JamesEpiscopalChurch
Martha&GarySteier
SWONKYBNI
TheAndrewJergensFoundation
ThornwellFamilyFoundationInc.
UnitedWayofGreaterCincinnati
WestwoodUnitedMethodistChurch
WestwoodFirstPresbyterianChurch
LaurieWissel
WohlgemuthHerschedeFoundation
WoodwardTrust
PhilipandDeborahZorn
