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The
Connection
Dave O'Mara has been a supporter of R.O.C.K. for many
years as he has recognized the value of the organization
and the positive impact it has on San Francisco's at-risk
kids. Dave is proud to support R.O.C.K. and hopes to
generate exposure and funding as a result of his ride.
In addition to much needed hope in a low-income, high
violence community, learn how R.O.C.K.
will spend your donation. |
Overview
R.O.C.K. is a grassroots, nonprofit youth development organization
located in the heart of San Francisco's Visitacion Valley.
R.O.C.K. offers sports and fitness, community service, learning
enrichment, leadership training and outdoor adventure programs
for girls and boys ages 6 - 17 that live or attend school
in Visitacion Valley. R.O.C.K. provides thousands of hours
of youth development programming each year to over 450 children.
The mission of R.O.C.K. is nurture the healthy development
of children by listening attentively to their needs and by
providing opportunities to those who might not otherwise have
access. Visit www.rocksf.org
for more information.
The
Need
R.O.C.K. serves a community of children who are posed
with countless social and economic challenges. Many
children from Visitacion Valley come from single parent
homes as well as live in one of the community's four
public housing developments, one of which is considered
among San Francisco's most violent. These challenges
are further evidenced in the number of children who
test well below their grade level on national standardized
tests, the number of children receiving free or reduced
school lunches and the number of immigrant families
for whom English is a second language.
The
combination of many of these factors results in a community
of young people where challenges are severe and resources
are limited. R.O.C.K.’s ability to provide quality
youth development programs using its collaborative and
community approach satisfies a critical need to this
low income, under-served community of San Francisco.
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The
R.O.C.K. Model
The idea behind the R.O.C.K. model is that children enter
the program as they become elementary school participants.
During this phase of their development, a big emphasis is
placed on learning enrichment, sports/fitness and academic
support. Participants of the program are exposed to a variety
of new activities and feel a part of the R.O.C.K. Family as
they form lasting relationships with many adult role-models.
As participants enter middle school, in addition to learning
enrichment and academic support, they are introduced to challenging
outdoor activities as well as community service work. While
in this program, participants continue to form trusting bonds
with adults as well as begin to understand the importance
of giving back to their community. As participants enter high
school, an emphasis is placed on additional outdoor opportunities,
leadership training and volunteering /job training. The purpose
of this final programming phase is to prepare youth for success
as they become adults. Overall, the true results are seen
by the number of past participants who experience positive
outcomes when they reach adulthood by attending college, returning
to their communities and becoming productive members of society.
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A
R.O.C.K. In My Life
by Monique Garrett
My name is Monique Garrett and I’m here to tell
you about the role R.O.C.K. has played in my life. To
illustrate this, I should tell you a little bit about
me. I graduated with honors from Sacred Heart Cathedral
High School where I was a captain of the state championship
basketball team and am about to graduate from St. Mary's
College in Moraga with a degree in kinesiology. All
of this was made possible through my involvement with
R.O.C.K. I can honestly say from experience that R.O.C.K.
consists of people who genuinely care for the kids.
I started attending R.O.C.K. as an eight year old at
“Skill Drills” on Saturdays and as I got older,
R.O.C.K. continued to be a part of my life. Upon entering
middle school, R.O.C.K. started its outdoor adventure
and leadership training program which proved to me that
they wanted to see their participants grow and mature.
I eventually became a volunteer as I entered high school
and still the staff stayed in touch and made sure that
I reached my full potential. Without R.O.C.K. in my
life, I wouldn’t be as |
focused
or concentrated on the future and how I can help others. I
owe all my success to R.O.C.K. because its staff and volunteers
taught me how to utilize opportunities even through adversity
and obstacles that seemed impossible. I want to thank you
for choosing to make R.O.C.K. a part of your lives because
as long as R.O.C.K. is around, the lives of children will
be changed for the better.
Inspired?
Make a donation today!
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Special
Thanks To
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