Springfield Promise Neighborhood

Established in 2010, the Springfield Promise Neighborhood (SPN) is a place-based, resident-led nonprofit organization addressing poverty in south Springfield, Ohio. This community-oriented and collaborative project was founded by Dr. Bob Welker, Wittenberg Education professor, after working for more than 20 years with the Springfield City Schools and many partner organizations. Promise works with families, students, teachers, and organizations, listening to families and students, putting resources and action behind their ideas, to reinvigorate neighborhoods and support all children to do well in school. Promise believes that early childhood success is the biggest indicator of future success. Promise understands and responds to cycles of poverty by thinking institutionally, systemically, and collaboratively . Promise explores how organizations and neighborhoods can help students do better in school and life, decreasing adverse childhood experiences, and capitalizing on the good work already being done by local partners.