FROM OUR LEADERS
Midway through opening Christmas gifts, Lindsey’s son looked at her and said, “It’s like I got everything I wanted that I didn’t know to ask for!” Of course, that brought a lot of joy to her mama-heart. (As he approaches his middle school years, she’ll savor the years of acing gift giving.)
Our young people at UrbanPromise often express a similar sentiment: being part of "Urban" brings them something they didn’t even know they were seeking They might not have been able to articulate what they were missing, but through their engagement at UrbanProm the contrast between their p experiences and the suppor community here Over time, they can simply be they do present the facade that is ne many other settings.
envision a future that feels both possible and expansive. 2024 was a year of innovation within programs, a year of intentional growth in ways that will strengthen our ability to achieve our mission, and a year to celebrate our young people and the ways that our incredible team creates a community of love and belonging.
xx-Levi n Resources Programs
In this space, they step out f shadows, take on leadership meaningful relationships, an rkelz pment
Pamela Foxx-Levi, Andy Joshua, and Lindsey Markelz
OUR MISSION
Equip Camden's children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership.
OUR VALUES
Faith
UrbanPromise desires to support young people as they become the people that God created them to be. We are inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus and strive to be led by his example of love, service, acceptance, justice, and grace.
Wellness
We care about the whole person, recognizing that each aspect of well-being impacts the others. UrbanPromise seeks to equip everyone in our community with the tools and skills needed to achieve the fullest and richest life across all dimensions of wellness.
Community
UrbanPromise strives to offer a welcoming and safe environment for staff, children, youth, and families and the broader community. We celebrate and care for one another by valuing each person, offering grace, encouraging growth and grit, and engaging authentically.
Innovation
At UrbanPromise, staff and youth are empowered to think outside the box, finding ways to bring learning to life and creating opportunities to expand our horizons.
OUR SCHOOLS
Our K-12 schools deliver a college-preparatory, Christian education to each student who joins our community. We see education as a collaborative journey.
Beyond acquiring knowledge, we seek to offer an experience that equips students to tackle life’s challenges, achieve academic excellence, and make a lasting, positive impact on the world around them.
OUR STUDENTS
1 : 12 Teacher to Student Ratio 80% Qualified for Free or Reduced Price Lunch Students Enrolled 175 100% of Students Received Scholarships
93% High School Graduation Rate
88% of Grads Enrolled in College or Vocational Training
There're so many opportunities. It wasn't just a school. It was the trips, it was boat building, it was working at a camp with the little kids. Singing camp songs, playing games. At UrbanPromise, you’ve got people in your corner. They’re always pushing you, there for you when you’re at your lowest.
Johnani Class of 2019
NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
With a mission to serve Camden youth, even our generous sliding scale presented barriers for families living in a city with high rates of poverty.
The new scholarship program offers free tuition to those who qualify for free lunch and minimal tuition for those qualifying for reduced-price lunch, ensuring access for all families.
“ I
New Students Enrolled through Scholarship
amira Class of 2026
Jamira started with UrbanPromise as a student in 7th grade. From the start, she was outgoing, hardworking, and a joy to have in class.
Now a high school sophomore, Jamira has embraced every opportunity at UrbanPromise. She helped create a Monarch Butterfly garden, volunteered with younger children, worked in the STARs program, and joined treks, hikes, cycling trips, boat building, and swimming lessons.
felt warmth and love from the school.
UrbanPromise is all about the kids’ education and wellbeing. Jamira has had so many opportunities that she wouldn't have had at other schools.
“ Miriam Jamira’s mother
LORRAINE PELOSI FILIMON COMMUNITY AWARD
A former elementary school teacher, Lorraine has been committed to supporting UrbanPromise for 30 years! She has been a Partner with two of our students for a decade; now, they are both seniors in high school. Lorraine enthusiastically attends every Partner Day and is intentional about getting to know the students and building deeper relationships with them. Her approach is sincere and thoughtful. Most recently, as we’ve formalized our planned giving program, Lorraine has been willing to share her story and why she has chosen UrbanPromise for a legacy gift from her estate.
21
Because of her outstanding commitment to her student partners and to being a legacy-giving champion, Lorraine was the 2024 recipient of UrbanPromise’s Community Award.
OUR PROGRAMS
UrbanPromise’s programs are designed to reveal each student’s individual strengths, eliminate obstacles to personal growth, and foster the development of their fullest potential.
Through a blend of fun, play, and holistic care, UrbanPromise creates an environment where young people can thrive every day.
OUR YOUTH
Youth Served 547 45 Minutes of Homework Support Daily
44,308 Meals Served 500+ Sessions of Group Socio-Emotional Learning
After School Programs
Kids love being with us after school because of the array of interesting experiences we offer, including trips and special events. We offer a safe place where kids can be themselves and form meaningful, long-lasting relationships with others. We offer after school programs in three Camden neighborhoods: East, South, and Fairview.
Summer Camps
125 Treks & Trips
119 Engaged in 1 : 1 Counseling Support
Our high-energy summer camps are made for kids to be kids! We make the most of the summer through exploratory learning, outdoor activities, arts, recreation, and a variety of field trips. Hundreds of campers build friendships, find role models, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Across all of our programs, we served students from Camden schools. 28
In BoatWorks, our middle and high schoolers craft wooden canoes, later used by teen RiverGuides to lead educational paddling tours for 800+ local community members.
Wellness
A variety of initiatives prioritize personal wellness and resilience; empowering youth to successfully overcome challenges and build competence.
500+ young people have opportunities to build new skills that support well-being, including wellness classes, youth trainings, community gatherings, cooking/nutrition classes, and one-on-one counseling
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
Young people can flourish when they are surrounded by supportive adults, have access to opportunities for personal growth and leadership, and are encouraged throughout their pivotal teenage years as they explore and embrace who they are meant to become.
Cultivating Leaders
113 Youth Employed
UrbanPromise offers Camden teens a year-round platform to assume meaningful leadership roles in their community.
21,882 Hours of Teen Employment
854 Community Paddlers Engaged
90 Leadership Development Trainings
17 Teens serve in Peer Leadership Roles
201 College & Career Readiness Sessions
56% of Teens Engaged for 3+ years
This year, our student employees came to us from different high schools across Camden & the surrounding area! 19
RiverGuides
Throughout the summer, youth RiverGuides, trained in the history and ecology of Camden’s waterways, lead paddling tours, advocate for watershed protection, and inspire community connection to local rivers. They highlight the rivers’ ecological value and recreational potential.
STAR Science Technology Advocacy Research
STAR student employees lead projects promoting environmental sustainability, from water quality testing to mapping waterways with GIS (Geographic Information System). This year, they revitalized our monarch butterfly garden and participated in youth councils, promoting environmental justice and community impact.
StreetLeaders
Our signature youth employment program, each year the StreetLeader program employs 60+ teens as counselors, tutors, and mentors to the children in our after school and summer camp programs The program focuses on equipping young people to become leaders in their own community.
Beyond meaningful employment, our teens gain leadership skills, college and career preparation, and opportunities to grow through trips, treks, and peer fellowship.
Our StreetLeader Program officially began in 1994 and has created over 2,404 job opportunities for Camden area youth!
“ “
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9
KYRUS INGALLS PROMISE AWARD
Class of 2008
Sergeant Kyrus Ingalls of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (and UrbanPromise alumni), received the 2024 Promise Award, which is given to a person who exemplifies all four of our core values, because of his outstanding commitment to UrbanPromise, and for his leadership in the community.
Kyrus serves the Camden community with excellence. A man of faith and principles, Kyrus goes beyond the call of duty to care for the victims of crimes by making himself readily available to them by call or text at any time. As an alum of UrbanPromise, he is also a champion for the work. He provided leadership as a member of the Rooted to Grow campaign committee from 2020 to 2023, and is always willing to show up for UrbanPromise –whether it’s joining an alumni career panel to share advice with teens or helping donors to understand the impact of their work.
EMPOWERING INNOVATION
Staff Innovation Fund
Building Together
Longboard building with Ryan & Derrick
12 students in 2nd-10th grade built their own longboard at our after school program! For many, it was their first experience creating something with their own hands. One student reflected on his younger brother, “It was amazing to see my little brother experience this and create something of his own. My grandma was so proud!”
Inspiring Notes
Bringing Ideas to Life with Music
In one middle school class elective, students wrote and recorded their own song, turning it into a music video. The song, “Colors,” celebrates unity and the belief that God created us differently for a reason. They express that despite our differences our shades, interests, and experiences we are all part of one big family, loved by God.
UrbanPromise launched the Staff Innovation Fund to encourage staff to lead projects that support the integration of experiential learning and wellness across the organization. Seven staff members were awarded mini-grants to implement their projects.
Mrs. Lawlor takes 5th grade ziplining
To reward better classroom behavior and build leadership, camaraderie, and teamwork skills, our 5th graders experienced a thrilling ziplining adventure. The class, known for their energy, was excited to work together and tackle challenges. One student shared, “This has been my favorite day at UrbanPromise!”
WHAT’S NEXT
UrbanCorps
In the summer of 2024, UrbanPromise piloted our UrbanCorps program, a summer job training program for college-aged youth. Eight participants (seven of whom were alumni) joined UrbanPromise for the summer and brought a great boost of energy, support, and leadership to our six-week camps. In return, participants are equipped with urban, youth development training, practical job experience and tools to empower children and teens.
“UrbanPromise has always been home.
I came back because I missed the people— the staff, and the kids. UrbanCorps gave me the chance to give back, to pour into these students like others poured into me, and to help create a safe, loving space where they can be themselves and experience God’s love.
BuildingRenovations
In addition to our main site in East Camden, UrbanPromise operates neighborhood-based programs in South Camden and Fairview. Being gifted these buildings, we are grateful to have a homebase in each location. However the facilities were very old, worn, and not designed for programs. With the support of our donor community, UrbanPromise was able to make significant investments in both sites including infrastructure and utility upgrades, reconstructing spaces to better support programs, and adding outdoor playspace!
“These renovations have transformed more than just our building—they’ve transformed how we serve our kids. For years, we struggled to keep programs running through extreme weather, but now we can show up every day, no matter what. This is the environment they deserve, and it empowers us to give them our very best.
“
Director of Children & Youth Programs Albert
LEADERSHIP
Bruce Main President & Founder
Andy Joshua VP of Schools & Programs
Pamela Foxx-Levi VP of Human Resources & Volunteer Programs
Lindsey Markelz VP of Development & Finance
Terry Bullock CamdenForward School Principal
Calvin Carthan UrbanPromise Academy Principal
Albert Vega * Director of Children & Youth Programs
Ryan McCormick Director of Strategic Initiatives
Tony Vega * Director of StreetLeader Program
Jessica Shinn Director of Wellness
Tom Kulp Director of Experiential Learning
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Byrne, Chair^ Lighthouse Planning Consultants
Robert Hill, Vice Chair ^ Retail Sites, LLC
Noah Tennant School District of Philadelphia
Frank Beideman ^ Holman Automotive Group
Michele Sanchez PECO - An Exelon Company
Katrina Ingram * ^ NJ Department of Children and Families
Steve Eigenrauch ^ Grace Construction
Merle Brown WSFS Bank
Jenise Rivera * ^ Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Judicial Law Clerk
RETENTION VS INDUSTRY AVERAGE 43% 80% REVENUE IS FROM DONORS GIVING 4+ YEARS CONSECUTIVELY VOLUNTEERS 1,165 Alumni * 10+ years with UrbanPromise ^
We appreciate every way you show up for our youth.
When you give, you are part of our community!
We’rethankfulforyourgiving.Morethanthat,we wanttoofferyouaplacetoengageandbelong,a placetoliveoutyourpurposeandtouseyourgifts.
Whenyouvolunteer,attendourevents,engage UrbanPromisewithyourchurchorworkplace,host anin-kinddrive,andhelpcreateopportunitiesfor youngpeople…itmakesadifference!
YOUR TRUST, OUR COMMITMENT
These seals represent the highest recognition of our transparency, integrity, and impact—and affirm that your donations make a difference!
GET INVOLVED
The work of UrbanPromise is made possible by the support of many caring donors and volunteers, who find a place to belong, a place to live out their purpose and faith by sharing their time, talents, and gifts.
Support our youth, staff, and programs at any level SPONSOR
CONNECT
Follow us on our socials to keep up with our programs
VISIT
