Center for Teen Empowerment – Growth Campaign/Beechwood Expansion: This project is focused on a growth campaign to equip Beechwood/EMMA/Marketview Heights (N.E. Rochester) with the type of youth leadership that Teen Empowerment currently implements in the SW quadrant of the city. This initiative will enable Teen Empowerment to triple opportunities for low-income youth and youth of color to take meaningful action to improve their lives and their communities. This grant is a three-year initiative. Key elements include: Work with growth consultant on structural efficiencies and staff capacity needed for sustainable growth; Incubate staff trained to proficiency in the TE Mode; Cultivate Networks with community partners in Beechwood and adjacent neighborhoods through bridge activities (focus groups, pop-up initiatives, presentations) led by youth organizers and staff; Subsequent phases will involve locating space for the new site, grand opening and beginning the youth hiring process.

Metro Council for Teen Potential – Supports for Youth Success: This program is designed to address critical health disparities among Monroe County Teens. Requested funds will cover the costs of employing a full-time health educator charged with working with 300 young people on the topics of life skills and teen pregnancy/prevention (via Center for Disease Control approved curricula). Additional duties include providing instruction via the Project Aim Curricula, developing positive perspectives about students’ future, and enhancing their determination to remain in school. Older students will participate in the Making Proud Choices Curricula that incorporates information and guidance in sex education, healthy relationships, abstinence, contraception, and the prevention of HIV/STDs. The goal is to continue the dramatic decline in teen pregnancy rates in Rochester through a research-based and multi-faceted approach.

Cameron Community Ministries – After School Academy: Cameron Community Ministries is an Urban Outreach Community Center in the Lyell-Otis. The vision is to break the cycle of generational poverty by helping people move from dependence to independence. Cameron’s After School Academy is unique in that we take a holistic approach to work with our students that includes on-going communication with the administrators and staff at School #54 and parents/guardians. Key to our success is students’ daily interactions with caring adults who give them positive feedback and consistent, meaningful consequences to poor behavior choices. Activities include: Academic support, Nutritious meals, Physical activities, Field Trips to Colleges/Museums, etc., Etiquette, Health/Hygiene, Motivational speakers, Junior Achievement financial literacy, Career Exploration Trips to local companies, Mentorship with professionals, Family Nights to engage parents, Reading inspirational books, Alternative High School tours, FASFA/College applications, etc., Links to employment/internships, Conflict resolution, Support groups, Arts including music therapy, poetry, dance, step, theatre, etc., Gardening, health, and nutrition education.

Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library – Safe to be Smart Program: The Safe to be Smart program provides a path out of poverty for tens of thousands of underprivileged and underserved youth in Rochester through after-school mentoring, educational and life skills support, and career exploration. Safe to be Smart serves youth at the Central Library in downtown Rochester and five neighborhood branch libraries. Libraries located in city neighborhoods and on bus lines are perfect places for safe, quality after-school activities for youth struggling to thrive academically and have limited educational, social, and economic support. Project tasks and activities relating to social/emotional support include mentoring on life skills, behaviors, violence, and other issues; referrals to other agencies; assistance with homework, college resources, resumes, employment; and time to relax with games and conversation. Project tasks and activities relating to career exploration include in-library and field trip exposure to virtual reality, augmented reality, and the E-Gaming/E-Sports industry.

Greater Rochester Summer Learning Association – SummerLEAP Pre-K to 3 Initiative: A summer learning initiative for low-income students (free/reduced lunch) comprised of full-day experiential learning, swimming, and family commitment. Funding would support the addition of 2 Pre-K Classrooms and close a significant funding gap at the Pre-K level. The focus is on closing the achievement gap, particularly as impacted by the summer breaks.

Rochester Childfirst Network – Engaging Little Learners in S.T.E.A.M.: RCN makes S.T.E.A.M. education a priority for their children. RCN employs the HighScope approach in their Pre-K programs based on research that shows children learn by doing. Students recall more information when they discover concepts for themselves. For this project, RCN will build their work on HighScope’s “emergent” or beginning instruction level. Each “threes” teacher will individualize the approach of the S.T.E.A.M. Teachers will do indoor, classroom-based projects, and outdoor activities to make with her/his children and classroom. Students will be exposed to classroom-based projects and outdoor activities.

Jewish Family Service – Pencils & Paper Program: A program that provides students in need with core school supplies. Teachers have access to free school supplies during an academic year. It is one of 40 free teacher school supply programs across the country. This grant expands access at John Audubon School #33 to include the Intermediate Grade Levels 4, 5, and 6. Grant funds will be used to purchase and source supplies that support literacy/numeracy, STEAM (Science, Technology, and Engineering, Art, and Math) and decrease the opportunity gap caused by the lack of basic learning tools.

United Way of Greater Rochester, Inc. – Universal Home Visitation Project (UHV): The UHV project is a unique and increasingly important component of the early childhood care system. An early childhood system of care promotes coordinated policy and collaborative service delivery to support the many young children with (or at risk for) social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The program will reach 3,500 families across Monroe County via home visits or telehealth.

Center for Youth Services – Crisis Nursery: The program supports various families with varying backgrounds and needs. Due to the availability of support in the two facilities, children avoid abuse, neglect, and trauma, a staff member, known as a resource navigator, guides in accessing needed resources. Additional service includes families accessing needed medical assistance. The second facility, Owen’s House (supported by this grant), is three miles from Rochester General Hospital. 80% of families with additional needs are connected to appropriate community services via confirmed referrals.