Greetings!

What happens when We Believe?

The Urban Prep experience is captured by two words: We Believe. Casual observers tend to think that "Believe" is the operative word in the phrase, but I know different. I know that the "We" is just as important to our success. The true power of Urban Prep lies in the unity that binds us. Communities unite when We Believe.
 

At Urban Prep, we have always believed, but in the early days we were a relatively small group. Early on, "we" included only a handful of friends, family, and colleagues. Later, "we" came to include our inaugural Freshman Class at the Englewood Campus, and a faculty and staff small in numbers, but big on commitment and heart. Then, we expanded to two, and now three schools serving Chicago's neediest communities. These days the "we" of Urban Prep includes more than 900 students and over 125 employees, not to mention thousands of supporters and partners around the world. Schools grow when We Believe.
 

During our first school year, when only 4% of our students came to us reading at grade level, we did not write them off as lost causes, we believed in them. We doubled-up the English classes, extended our school day, provided tutoring, and added programs to support our students. Students excel when We Believe.

Perhaps the most significant testament to the power of the word "we" came earlier this year when 100% of our first class gained admission to four-year colleges across the country.Four years of hard work paid off, and the graduating class received national attention from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris, Congressman Bobby Rush, Mayor Richard M. Daley and The Chicago City Council. The media recognized the significance of the accomplishment too, with ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, People Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and many others covering the story. The world notices when We Believe.
 
But more important than any notoriety we have gained over the years are the opportunities we are providing to our students for new and brighter futures. Reports show that 60% of Black boys will drop out of school, 20% of Black men are unemployed, and only 2.5% will graduate from college. Our students work hard to ensure that these data do not define their destiny. Lives change when We Believe.

The only way this important work continues is if we continue to support Urban Prep. To that end, I am asking that you make an online donation to Urban Prep today by clicking here. Your gift will be an investment in the future of our organization, and the future of each young man that we serve.
 

Because of you, Urban Prep is what happens when We Believe.

Thanks! 

Tim King
Founder & CEO
 

PS Thanks to an anonymous million dollar challenge grant, your new or increased donation to Urban Prep will be matched. Please donate today by visiting us online at  www.urbanprep.org/donate.