Partner Program

You can help to build a city of hope and promise by investing in the life of a child. Their future is in our hands . . . you can remove obstacles by offering them opportunities that equip them with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, moral development, and Christian leadership. Your promise and partnering efforts afford a child in a high risk community the chance to thrive, to bloom, to learn, and to discover all he or she were meant to be. Please consider partnering with a child in one of two UrbanPromise schools: The CamdenForward School (K-8th grades) or The UrbanPromise Academy (9-12th grades).

Participating in the Partner Program allows you to:

• Be matched with a student in The CamdenForward School or The UrbanPromise Academy
• Become a friend to your child
• Exchange profiles, letters, photos, and prayers
• Provide opportunities for academic achievement and spiritual growth in a safe and loving environment
• Actively engage in your child’s life with planned visits to the schools
• Receive an update on your child from their teacher or school administrator

Your financial investment of $2,500 per year offsets the approximately $6,000 it costs to educate a child. Payments can be made annually, quarterly, or monthly by check or credit card.

After completing your registration as a Partner, you will receive more information on your student including his or her photo and profile sheet, along with basic guidelines for being a partner.

For more information please contact the Partner Program Coordinator and Donor Relations Director at 856-661-1700, ext. 15 or jmessner@urbanpromiseUSA.org

Partner Program: Frequently Asked Questions

Q.        What is an Adult Partner?
A.         An Adult Partner is someone like you - an individual, couple, family, organization, small group, church, or business that makes the decision to invest in the life of a child living in a high risk environment to offer them a chance to become all God wants them to be. Adult Partners provide financially ($2,500/yr) to offset the approximately $6,000 it costs to educate a student at The CamdenForward School (CFS) or The UrbanPromise Academy (UPA).

Q.        What benefits will the student that I partner with receive?
A.         The student you partner with at The CamdenForward School or The UrbanPromise Academy will receive the tools necessary for academic achievement, life management, moral development, and Christian leadership. You are helping to knock away the obstacles that challenge many of them by offering them the opportunity to thrive, grow, and achieve in a safe, loving, and Christian environment.

Q.        How long will my partnership last?
A.            UrbanPromise encourages you to build long-lasting partnerships with your student. Rich relationships are formed through years and many Adult Partners stay with their students through graduation (8th grade (CFS) or 12th grade (UPA) ). You have the option to withdraw at any time; the best time would be at the end of the school year. Also, at times a child may withdraw from the school or may not return the following year. We will inform you if this happens.

Q.        How often will I hear from my student?
A.         You will receive at least three correspondences from your child each year – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.  Regular email updates will also be sent informing you about upcoming school events, news, or other interesting happenings.

Q.        May I correspond with my student?
A.         Yes – your student loves to hear from you. Please consider sending letters, notes, cards, or postcards, and photos.  You should address all correspondence to the student in care of the “Partner Program.” While emails are nice to receive, your student would probably prefer a handwritten note. Presently, all emails to students must be sent to jmessner@urbanpromiseUSA.org.

Q.        My student partner has asked me for my telephone number, email or street address. Should I give it to them?
A.         No.  All correspondence must be done through UrbanPromise.

Q.        May I give a gift or money to my student?
A.         The greatest gift Partners can give is the gift of themselves and their time.  We ask that Partners refrain from giving gifts or money to the student partners in order to be sensitive to those children who do not have partners. However, if Partners wish to send a gift or treat to their child, we ask that they consider offering an age-appropriate “class gift” or by sending enough for the entire class (i.e. an educational DVD, board game, a book, or cookies and special treats for a child’s birthday). If you wish to make an additional financial donation, we will be able to identify a need or program that benefits all students and fits your intentions.

Q.        My student partner has invited me to his home to meet his family.  Should I go?
A.         No.  Home visits are beyond the intended purpose of the Partnership Program and are inappropriate.

Q.        Should I spend more time with my student partner beyond regularly scheduled Partner events?