Children of Promise, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 organization whose primary purpose is to build a foundation of resiliency and positive self-esteem among struggling and disadvantaged teens in the Pikes Peak Region. This core of self-worth can then serve as the basis of widespread community impact in important outcome domains such as reducing truancy and dropout, promoting economic self-sufficiency, reducing teen crime and criminal recidivism, and reducing the use of crisis healthcare services.

Children of Promise was founded in 2005 to address the needs of youth in this community, particularly those who are underserved by traditional systems of care, which are typically bound by funding silos and overly narrow missions.  These traditional child-serving systems include the Department of Youth Corrections, the public school systems, the Department of Human Services, the Division of Mental Health, and the Department of Health. Although these systems do much good, their efforts are often poorly coordinated with one another and there are large gaps in the services they provide.  Moreover, it is almost impossible for the average person to navigate the various systems without a knowledgeable guide and advocate. 

As a simple illustration, one might ask “What community program is responsible for helping to provide sports physicals for a youth to participate in a school recreation program?”  The simple answer--it depends. If the child is in foster care, there might be one source of funds. If they attend a particular school, there may be limited funds set aside by the school administration or the PTA. If they have legal or mental health needs, there may be “flexible funds” that can be applied to this need.  If we take our example a bit further, how will the youth purchase the equipment he needs to participate, and how will he manage transportation to and from practice?  For many youth, the barriers seem insurmountable, and they give up before they’ve even begun.  We think that there is a different way!

Children of Promise was founded on the value of serving needy teens in the most efficient and effective way, without regard to the question of “whose responsibility is it?” Helping children is a responsibility we all share. Indeed, it does take a village to raise a child. Children of Promise has successfully leveraged private donations and community partnerships to serve our target youth efficiently, always taking account of the individual’s natural strengths and their formal and informal support systems. We have effectively coordinated multiple services by serving as the case manager for individuals and families with complex needs.

          The charity operates a “Teen Shop” dedicated to providing teenagers with the supplies they need to start and stay in school at no cost to the student.  Schools, shelters, social service agencies and other professionals are able to make a referral for a student to come and shop for needed clothes, shoes, school supplies and sports equipment in a store-like setting.  Children of Promise understands that many disadvantaged youth would rather skip school than tell a friend or peer that they cannot afford school supplies, they cannot afford clothes, or they don’t have the money to join the soccer team. Through caring staff and dedicated volunteers, Children of Promise ensures the social, emotional, and academic development of our youth.  The goal is to empower youth to be physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy and ready to enter adulthood.