ROC the Future Alliance Receives $600,000

ROC the Future Alliance believes that being selected as one of the recipients of the Accelerate Impact Grant by StriveTogether is a significant opportunity to accelerate progress towards achieving better and more equitable outcomes. Organizers noted StriveTogether, a national network of 70 communities including Rochester share their dedication to creating a future where a child's potential is not limited by factors such as race, ethnicity, zip code, or circumstance.

As an active member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, ROC the Future Alliance recognizes the collective impact they can have on 14 million young individuals, including over 8 million children of color and 5 million children experiencing poverty.

They believe that the Accelerate Impact grant will greatly enhance their capacity to transform systems and provide evidence of equitable outcomes improvement. They say the grant empowers the Alliance to drive meaningful change that will lead to long-term transformation. Working alongside their partners, the Alliance is determined to place more young people on a trajectory towards upward mobility.

Brian Lewis, the Executive Director of ROC the Future Alliance, expresses gratitude for the significant gift from StriveTogether. They believe that this gift will support interventions that have been collaboratively developed by parents and systems partners. These interventions specifically target areas such as increasing kindergarten readiness, early grade literacy, and high school graduation rates, which are crucial indicators for success in life.

With the awarded grant, ROC the Future Alliance has outlined its plans to focus on impacting systems that influence early childhood outcomes. They confirmed they will employ data-driven strategies to positively affect attendance, enhance the 9th-grade experience, and increase high school graduation rates. The Alliance says it aims to expand its parent base by recruiting more parents to work alongside organizational leaders in developing solutions that eliminate barriers hindering student success. They also say they aim to reduce silos and align resources across various sectors, such as housing, to ensure that safe and stable housing is provided to all children and families. Additionally, the Alliance stated it will advocate for local and statewide policies to bring about systemic changes and improve education outcomes. Lastly, they say they plan to engage students in the co-development of interventions and campaigns that will increase attendance, reduce chronic absenteeism, and address common barriers such as poverty, transportation, and housing stability.