ANNUAL REPORT

Dear friends & supporters,

The 2023-2024 academic year marked UrbanPromise Charlotte’s eleventh year of programming. Our theme for the year was “strengthening our roots.”

In nature, trees’ roots are critical. Roots help trees weather storms, provide trees with strength and stability, and
lead to the flourishing of trees and the ecosystem around them. Despite roots’ importance, their growth is invisible above the ground.

In the same way, much of our work during the 2023- 2024 academic year was below-the-surface, root- strengthening work. This “root work” focused on refining and strengthening our programs, improving internal processes, investing in our passionate staff team, and preparing for the future.

Alongside this root-strengthening work, the cycle of restoration continued to bloom across the UrbanPromise community. A new group of middle school campers became junior StreetLeaders, including some of our earliest campers. Our tenth senior StreetLeader class graduated high school and set out on their post-secondary journey. And a number of our StreetLeader Alumni completed their post-secondary journeys, returned to Charlotte, and embarked on meaningful careers.

Thanks to your investment during the 2023-2024 academic year, our students
grew and achieved at each stage of their 20-year leadership journey through UrbanPromise programs. For the eleventh consecutive summer, our younger students grew more than two months in their reading abilities during our six-week summer programs. For the tenth consecutive year, 100% of our senior StreetLeaders graduated high school on-time and received college acceptance. And 80% of our 192 Alumni are still enrolled in or have completed post-secondary education.

Thank you so much for making UrbanPromise possible through your generosity.

This report is for you – members of the UrbanPromise community who have been part of our root system during the past year (or more). Just like a tree’s roots, your belief and investment in our UrbanPromise has provided our community with strength, stability, and the opportunity to flourish.

As you read the stories in the following pages, may you be inspired by the stories of growth and leadership you helped make possible at UrbanPromise last year. And may you be encouraged by the ways our students, StreetLeaders, and Alumni reflect Jesus’ transformative love as they serve as agents of God’s love, justice, hope, and peace in the city of Charlotte and beyond.

Grace and Peace,

Jimmy McQuilkin

Executive Director