This is post 1/5 in a series highlighting students on “The 20-Year Journey” at UrbanPromise. UP's holistic, long-term support of students from Kindergarten to college graduation and beyond is what sets our program apart, and we couldn't empower our students without you. Thank you so much for committing to our students for the long haul!
“The best part of UrbanPromise is the people,” says Jayden, a rising sixth grader at our South Boulevard Site.
Jayden has been at UrbanPromise since he was in Kindergarten, and he has lots of fun memories he could share with you from his past six years as a camper!
But when you talk to Jayden this summer, you’ll notice that he isn’t spending much time reflecting. There is something else on Jayden’s mind.
Jayden (black jacket) and Genesis (far right)
“I feel nervous,” he says. “There will be a lot of new kids, and they will mostly be older than me.”
Jayden is thinking about middle school.
MOVIN’ ON UP
On “The 20-Year Journey” that a student like Jayden takes at UrbanPromise, the camper years between kindergarten and eighth grade are a period of enormous change and growth. During this time, our primary focus is on helping students develop a foundational sense of belonging, self-worth, and safety that can ground them through the many shifts, big and small, that we know life will bring their way.
Shifts like the one Jayden is currently facing — a pretty massive one in the life of an eleven year old!
Genesis, a friend of Jayden’s, is another rising sixth grader at our South Boulevard Site. The two have been at UrbanPromise together for three years, since Genesis started coming to camp as a second grader.
"I feel nervous too,” Genesis agrees. “But, also, not. When I think about UrbanPromise, I feel not that nervous because I know the people here, and that doesn’t change.”
It’s possible that Genesis feels less nervous about her transition to middle school because this isn’t the first change that she has weathered as a camper. Several years ago, Genesis relied on her support network at UP to help her get through a difficult season that deeply rattled her world.
“When my dad left home, Geraldine understood,” Genesis remembers.
Genesis and Geraldine in 2018
Geraldine, a former StreetLeader, was a steady source of comfort for her younger peer as she navigated a huge, scary change.
“Geraldine was always there for me, even when stuff got hard. She always stuck by my side, no matter what,” Genesis recalls. “It was really nice to have someone to talk your feelings out with and spread them out and not keep them in. She has inspired me to be like her. One day if someone comes to me I can say, ‘It’s okay, I’ve gone through it when I was little too.’”
The consistency of Geraldine’s caring friendship provided Genesis with a sense of security during an uncertain and emotional time. Heading to middle school may not be as disruptive as what Genesis previously endured, but it’s that same promise of consistency that helps her and other students, like Jayden, feel a little less anxious about navigating something new!
“I have friends at UP who also went to [my elementary school]. Because we saw each other at school and at AfterSchool, we’ve gotten to be even better friends,” Jayden says.
“I know they’ll still be here. I know UrbanPromise will stay the same. ”
I WOULDN’T BE MYSELF
Joanna, a student at our East Site who began her UP journey in fourth grade, is facing her own big transition this summer: she is heading to high school!
As Joanna reflects back on her time as a camper, she also points to UrbanPromise as a grounding force in her life. Additionally, Joanna recognizes that the special relational atmosphere that she has enjoyed at camp is not something you can find just anywhere!
“In school there are more people who might judge you,” Joanna says. “The relationships you have here are so different! At UP there are less people and you get to build a relationship with each one. Also, you get to interact with older people. When you are the youngest, it’s like you have an older sibling. If we are going through something, StreetLeaders can give examples from their own lives and be there for us.”
Middle school is often a time when students are focused more on conforming than on cultivating self-worth, but at UP Joanna has experienced a sense of belonging that has allowed her to recognize and celebrate her own unique personality.
“This is a place where you can really open up. If I had never come to UrbanPromise, I wouldn’t be this open, I wouldn’t be myself,” Joanna says. “I am unique in my own way.”
Joanna
This summer Joanna is facing another change — she is excited to make the transition from camper to StreetLeader!
“It feels like a big, new responsibility!” she says. “But I get to do things that, as a camper, I couldn’t. As a camper I didn’t get to build relationships with younger kids. I am excited to get to know the little kids more and build bonds with them.”
At lot has changed for Joanna in the five years that she’s been a camper, but we know that the strong, positive sense of self she has established during her time at UP will make her a great StreetLeader in the years to come. She is more than ready to serve as a guide for our younger students as they grow!
“A lot of other places, you can only be there for a certain amount of time. At UrbanPromise, it’s an advantage that other people get to see you grow up and see how each phase [of your journey] impacts you,” she says. “They get to see how you change over time.”
“The 20-Year Journey” for UrbanPromise students begins when they’re little, and developing a sense of belonging, self-worth, and safety during their early years is crucial for what’s to come.
When you join UrbanPromise’s monthly Promise Partner community, you’re committing to helping students like Jayden, Genesis, and Joanna develop strong roots during their camper years — a gift that matters deeply to each of them, and one that ultimately multiplies far beyond what we’re able to currently see!
THANK YOU for believing in the importance of a strong foundation for our students. We could not come alongside of them for the long haul without your support!