On August 1, the long awaited @Promise Center opened on historic English Avenue. The center, which is an extension of the @Promise Program led by the Atlanta Police Foundation, is the product of eight months of labor and a hefty $500,000 donation from the Georgia Power Foundation.

The @Promise Center is a state-of-the-art resource center for teens. According to their website, @Promise expects to be able to service 150 teens a year with support from the Atlanta Police Foundation, Atlanta Hawks, Chris 180, The Boys and Girls club, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and The Street Smart Project. Services will include mental health assessments, leadership skills training, academic support, case management, and access to an arts center and recording booth.

Founded in Atlanta in 1981 under the name Georgia CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights –  Legal, Educational, Emotional), Chris 180 is the lead foundation at the @Promise Center. They will be serving youth ages 14-24 years old. After leaving Chris 180, the youth will either go to the Boys and Girls Club, Street Smart, or the Urban League.

If the teen is 17 and under, they might find themselves at the Boys and Girls Club where they will be offered specific programs focusing on leadership, academic success, and healthy lifestyles. The club will offer its Keystone Program, Passage to Manhood, and Global Girls empowerment programs for teens. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta and Street Smart will both offer career training, educational support and personal development for older teens.

VOX attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and spoke with key contributors to the @Promise center. Watch the video above and view the photos below to see the day’s events.  

Kaylynn Parks is a rising senior at AIS and turns 17 on August 31. She is accepting presents via PO box.