Long lines provide an opportunity for neighbors to visit with new friends. The parking lot was filled with children playing basketball, bouncing in the Bounce House, jumping and running around. Music was provided by our own DJ Jeff Johnson. Volunteers gave away books collected by Target Knollwood and Minnetonka to all attendees. Fresh produce was available thanks to Cub Foods and Second Harvest Heartland.

Rev. Willie McAffee (right front) and members of NuWay Missionary Baptist Church treated the community to their famous BBQ ribs and chicken at the Annual Block Party. 

Volunteers continue to be the heart of The Camden Promise. Over 35 volunteers were involved with the set up, welcoming, grilling, serving and clean up of our Annual Block Party. TCP program clients continue to volunteer, a way for them to give back to their community. The majority of volunteers continue to come from within the three partner congregations. We welcome new volunteers all the time. Visit www.thecamdenpromise.org for a complete list of our volunteer opportunities.

University of MN students signed up community members for interviews about food purchasing habits. Participants were given $240 Cub Foods gift cards.  This is just another example of how our community is helping to improve the lives of their neighbors.

The Camden Promise (TCP) had a busy and very successful summer. We have accomplished a lot in our Camden Community. Your volunteer efforts and donations have made this all possible. Thank you for your support. Many of our activities are highlighted inside.

Fall brings change and The Camden Promise is no different. We say farewell and thanks to two Board members, Ben Beard and Paul Cederberg. They will continue to support TCP by working on special projects.

We are excited about some new developments. We have:

·     received a $10,000+ grant from Community POWER

·     hired an Executive Director

·     increased our Breakfast and a Bag program to weekly
·     started exploring a revised jobs readiness program and addressing housing of the community.

We look forward to seeing all of you at The Camden Promise soon.

Ben Knaus, TCP Board Chair    

Nutritious food, happy kids, good jobs and safe, affordable homes...these are the key components of a thriving neighborhood. Absent even one component and the neighborhood suffers. Add to it a leadership vacuum and a culture of disempowerment and the effects of urban decay take their toll on our North Minneapolis streets.  Here at The Camden Promise, we do more than make a stand against poor health, violence by our own against our own, lack of employable skills and condemned houses.  We advocate and provide for full tummies, we encourage  successful kids, we help people recognize and develop their employable skills and we explore ways to bridge the home ownership gap. We do all of this through the catalyst of community: People knowing and trusting each other working together for the good of our neighborhood.

We believe that we can build hope together. We believe that God has plans to give us a hope and a future and that with us and through us God will prosper all the Camden community. I am pleased to be a part of God's work in our neighborhood as the new Executive Director. I hope that together, we will fan the flames of community until Camden is transformed into a parish even more