Last month, 43 individuals from 25 organizations, including parents and community leaders, participated in our first ever two-day retreat, Aligning for Change. This retreat allowed for a refocus on racial equity, prioritizing shared power with Black and brown parents, and utilizing StriveTogether’s Theory of Action as a blueprint for the road ahead.

After two years of being physically distanced, we were in shared space together to plan, engage and prepare for the work ahead.

Congratulations to Jackie Campbell on her induction into the Children's Institute Coterie. This award recognizes a select group of individuals who have provided sustained, significant, and very special support to Children's Institute. Jackie joins the following individuals who were also inducted this year:

• Dennis DeLeo
• Charlotte Landhuis
• Serge Lossa

The ROC the Future Alliance has received $1.55 million to realize transformative change in the system of supports for parents, families, and children, pre-natal to age 8.

Year one of planning has begun and we're excited for the work ahead. We want to thank the Whole Child Initiative funders, ESL Charitable Foundation, Konar Foundation, Sands Foundation, and Wegmans Foundation for their investment to support the critical change needed to ensure the success of every child. 

Camille Simmons joined ROC the Future in 2019, and served as the Manager of Continuous Improvement, helping to ensure a rigorous process for testing and implementing changes to get better results. Camille’s attention to detail helped support both the Early Grade Literacy and High School Graduation Outcomes Teams, as well as the Community Schools Leadership Table. Her critical focus on results helped to keep the team focused on our long-term goals. 

During her time with us, she found her passion for serving our community as a public servant and ran for AND WON a seat on the RCSD School Board. As a Board Commissioner, she hopes to bring greater change and support for RCSD students and families. 

We wish her well on her next journey and look forward to working with her as a community partner, as we focus on Children...TOGETHER!

Youth leaders representing various schools and youth development partners from across Rochester met virtually for the past 8 months to hone their leadership skills as part of Rochester’s first collective impact table for youth, the Youth Leadership Coalition (YLC). Each cohort determines one area of focus for the year. The YLC ambassadors of Cohort 2 have determined that the greatest problem affecting youth in our area is gun violence. 

The YLC Cohort 2 youth leaders have committed themselves to taking an active stance against gun violence and to raise awareness of its impact on the mental health of children in the region. What's most impressive is that this training was organized and executed by three male youth leaders: Patrick McDermott, Jordan Jordan and King Jordan.

New students who have joined the coalition commit to:

• Building upon the assets of youth development programs within the surrounding area.
• Providing a training platform and model for youth leaders to train other youth leaders in systems change work. 
• Create a supportive structure to empower youth leadership and youth voice within greater Rochester.  

Watch this video to learn more about the work of the coalition.