Since the inception of the Partner Program at Camden Forward School/Urban Promise, the principals of The Jet Pulverizer Co. have been honored to sponsor children in this very successful school in Camden, NJ.

Letter from Coordinator

March 21st, 2012

Good afternoon, Partners!

Yesterday’s (3/20/12) CamdenForward School Partner Day was truly a success! Our students were thrilled to see you arrive and sad to see you go. They’re already looking forward to your next visit.

As explained briefly yesterday, this year’s 8th grade class is one of our largest in the past several years. Eighteen students will graduate this coming June! We hope you’ll join us on the morning of June 14 to celebrate their achievements. The time of commencement has not yet been finalized, but I will pass along the information as soon as I have it.

Thank you again for your attendance at Spring Partner Day and your continued support of our students’ education at UrbanPromise. We hope you know how significant your role is in the lives of our students and within the UrbanPromise family.

With gratitude,

Liz Getman
Partner Program & Grant Coordinator
UrbanPromise
http://www.urbanpromiseusa.org/our-programs/camdenforward
About UrbanPromise

UrbanPromise got its official start in 1988 as a spin-off of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE).  Starting with one summer camp run out of a struggling Baptist Church, the organization’s outreach quickly grew to include multiple summer camps and afterschool programs.

Because of rapid programmatic growth and a need for a more localized board of directors, UrbanPromise Ministries was established as a New Jersey, 501 (c)(3) organization in 1993. Bruce Main was hired as the founding director. With an initial budget of $12,000 and one full-time staff, UrbanPromise now has grown to an annual budget of $3 million and employs more than 55 full-time workers. UrbanPromise is also the largest private employer of teens in the city of Camden, with close to 100 teenagers on its payroll each year.

The mission of UrbanPromise is to equip children and teens with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and leadership rooted in the principles of Christian faith. As a non-denominational organization, the UrbanPromise community seeks to fulfill this mission through after school programs, summer camps, alternative schools, job training initiatives and a host of other programs that challenge youth to develop their academic, social, creative, spiritual and leadership potential. Unique to the vision of UrbanPromise is a commitment to involving local teenagers (StreetLeaders) in the tutoring, mentoring, and coaching of younger children in the community. By involving teens in the leadership process, UrbanPromise is creating a new generation of young, visionary leaders who embody a commitment to change their own community.

In 1997, UrbanPromise in Camden helped to launch UrbanPromise programs in Wilmington (Delaware), Toronto (Ontario), and Vancouver (British Columbia). Each of these cities is governed by an independent board of directors and is financially self-sufficient. UrbanPromise Wilmington, Camden, Toronto, and Vancouver are legally connected through the UrbanPromise International Board of Directors.

CamdenForward School is a private elementary and middle school serving students at the kindergarten through eighth grade levels. With a learning environment rich in love, hope, and structure, the School challenges students to attain high academic standards, learn necessary life skills, maintain personal integrity, and develop a Christian worldview.

In 1997 the School opened with only two classes: pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. UrbanPromise established an additional grade level each year thereafter until all elementary and middle school classes were available. CamdenForward School now serves approximately 130 students from Camden and the surrounding areas. Dynamic music, performance and fine art, physical education programs supplement a comprehensive academic curriculum.

Extracurricular learning opportunities are available to students through Urban BoatWorks–which teaches wooden boat building as well as swimming and sailing–and SeaQuest–a program that expands the science curriculum through marine biology lessons and visits to habitats of marine life. The School also houses the UrbanPromise Step Team and Children’s Choir, which perform at churches, businesses, and events all over the tri-state area.

Hope this helps! Thanks again for your ongoing support,

Liz Getman
Partner Program & Grant Coordinator
UrbanPromise
partners@urbanpromiseusa.org
www.urbanpromiseusa.org