building up leaders in a sad, sad city

I spent most of my week in Camden, NJ. Overall impressions? Camden is a sad place. Really overrun, dirty, and... poor. Lots of buildings boarded up. Few restaurants, but lots of little convenient stores. It just seems like it's a depressed place. If I had to describe it more, I would say that Camden to Philly is like Gary, IN to Chicago.

But-- what did I do? I went to Camden's Urban Promise. On Tuesday I had a meeting with their executive director, Bruce Main. He told me a bit about the organization-- which really impressed me. Urban Promise started in the summer of 1985 as a way to keep the many kids in Camden's neighborhoods busy during the summer. By 1988, they decided that a year-round program would be a good move. Thus they started after-school programs for during the school year to go along with their summer camp programs. They eventually began their own high school and elementary school, too.

But, the best program I think Urban Promise does is their Street Leaders Program. This program is a way to keep kids involved as they grow older. Specifically it employs high schoolers and gives them leadership development. Professional development, pre-college skills, college visits, and impressive resumes are only a few of the things kids walk away with. It's a huge pay off! These teens get necessary job experience, but also meaningful employment. They learn that even as teenagers, they can make a difference in their communities. And it gives them ownership of the entire Urban Promise program, because they have real responsibilities and decision-making power. This program has helped to create an alternate community for kids, where it is cool to succeed. The high peer standard helps to elevate the whole group. Because, specifically, this Street Leader Program helps to build hope, which is so lacking in many of these communities. It addresses the culture of failure so prevalent for many of these young people, and lets them experience success.

And, from what I experienced with the Street Leaders when I volunteered for a day with one of Urban Promise's summer camps, the Street Leaders were pretty awesome! All of them live in the immediate neighborhood and so have a certain 'street cred' with the kids. They are funny, out-going, and well-respected among their kids and their peers. As I watched them organize the kids, lead songs and games, direct the kids, and maintain discipline, I saw how the Street Leader Progam works. And works well...