On my first day at Urban Kids as the new director almost five years ago, two little girls with lots of braids introduced themselves to me.

They were a little sad that day because they had just finished their first experience at Camp Sumatanga with other campers from Urban Kids, and were almost at the end of the summer program here at Urban Ministry. Carla and Aleigha were about to start 5th grade at Hemphill Elementary. Even though they tried to get by without doing all that math homework and all those science reports, they stayed with us for four more years.  Along the way, two more of their friends, Tori and Kensharia, joined us at Urban Kids. 

Tori, Kensharia, Aleigha, and Carla were some of Urban Kids’ most faithful attenders. They were all smart, talented girls who had a desire to be successful. Urban Kids gave them a place where being successful was nurtured, supported, and was always the cool thing to do. Even during those difficult middle school years (complete with the typical complaining and eye-rolling), they stayed with us.  They became active and confident young ladies, very busy in all kinds of school activities. They were involved in everything from advanced classes, to National Junior Honor Society, to dance line, to softball. Carla’s video project on diabetes won a regional award and a trip to Orlando. The African dance troupe that Aleigha belongs to had her performing all over Alabama, in Atlanta, and on television. Tori became the youngest intern in a summer internship program at Urban Ministry. Kensharia grew into a practical and assertive peer helper for Urban Kids. 

When they graduated from 8th grade, Kensharia, Aleigha, Carla, and Tori won so many trophies and awards, the principal brought them boxes to carry them home!  All four young women are now in advanced classes in the 9th grade, making excellent grades and becoming active at their high schools. They come back to visit us when they can, and they will hopefully find the time between band camps and summer jobs to be peer helpers for the younger children again this summer. 

We can’t necessarily claim to be the reason for their successes, but we know that Urban Kids nurtured these four great young people at a critical time of their lives.  We know that at Urban Kids, they were safe, they were held accountable, and they worked side-by-side with successful college students and caring adults who encouraged them every step of the way.

In this lean time of no-frills decision-making, Urban Kids is not a luxury—it is critical.  This is not just a keep-them-off-the-street sort of recreation program, as important as that may be.  It is a direct line through the difficulties of growing up in a community where so many young people give up and drop out.  It is a sure foothold on a hazardous climb to productive adulthood. 

Here is what Aleigha says about Urban Kids: 

"Thanks to Urban Kids, I am now taking 10th grade classes in the 9th grade. They helped me achieve my goals. They helped me get smarter and helped me know that I’m smart and that I can do it."