We desire to bequest two things to our children — the first one is roots; the other one is wings. ~Sudanese Proverb
Dear Friends,
As the dad of a soon to be two-year-old, my work to change systems and improve outcomes for children is an ever-present endeavor. While I have always had a passion for justice and belief in the need for the pursuit of equity for all children, now that I am a parent, these passions and pursuits have evolved to become more personal and closer to my heart. Currently, my child is at that exhilarating stage of life where every day she learns a new word, phrase or skill and discovers something new about herself and her environment. I am in awe of how quickly she absorbs all that is around her, and I try to view the world through her eyes. I also wonder if the world is ready for her and if she is ready for the world.
I toggle with these thoughts as both a parent and as the Executive Director of ROC Future Alliance. Tasked with ensuring that not only my child, but that all of our children are school ready, supported and successful, the backbone team is fortunate to stand with you – parents, youth, system partners and community members as we collaborate to change systems and improve outcomes with parents’ and youth’s voices and experiences at the center.
As our alliance reflects on 2023 – a year to Build Parent/Family Partner Power and looks ahead to 2024 – a year when we will be Seeding Youth Success – I am filled with pride for our collective accomplishments and excitement for what is on the horizon.
We kicked off the new year [2024] with our 11th Annual State of Children Address, where we highlighted the wins of our community and Alliance members, recognized powerful parent and youth leaders making a difference, and conveyed a vision for where the work is headed. This was our opportunity to lift up data that will change systems and improve outcomes, particularly in the early childhood and high school graduation space. Perhaps most inspiring were the amazing performances by youth from Garth Fagan Dance and World of Inquiry School No. 58 school band, and the young men from UPrep Charter School who served as ushers. The performance and service of these students, along with powerful remarks from elected officials, partners, and Alliance members as well as our co-hosts: a dynamic duo consisting of a system partner and parent partner, made the event a soaring success that still has many of us buzzing.
If you attended our 11th Annual State of our Children event, contributed, or watched online, thank you! If you are already a part of our alliance and movement, we are excited to deepen and strengthen our work to Seed Youth Success over the next year and beyond. And, if you are a parent, youth or system partner that is interested in joining our alliance to ensure school readiness, support, and success for every child in Rochester, cradle to career, we look forward to hearing from you and partnering with you soon.
Until All the Children Are Well,
Brian Lewis