ROC the Future Alliance receives $600,000 StriveTogether Accelerate Impact Grant

Rochester, New York | July 19, 2024 – StriveTogether announced ROC the Future Alliance as one of the Accelerate Impact Grant awardees to accelerate progress toward better, more equitable outcomes. StriveTogether is a national network of 70 communities, including Rochester, working to build a future where a child’s potential is not dictated by race, ethnicity, zip code or circumstance. 

ROC the Future Alliance is a member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, which collectively impacts the lives of 14 million youth – including more than 8 million children of color and 5 million children experiencing poverty.

The Accelerate Impact grant builds our capability to transform systems with evidence of equitable outcomes improvement. This grant empowers the Alliance to drive meaningful change that leads to long-term transformation. Together with our partners, we will put more young people on a path to upward mobility. 

This significant gift from StriveTogether will support interventions that have been co-developed by parents and systems partners, to increase kindergarten readiness, early grade literacy, and high school graduation rates,” said Brian Lewis, ROC the Future Alliance Executive Director. “These are key indicators for life success.” 

ROC the Future Alliance will use this award to impact systems by developing and aligning data driven strategies that will positively impact early childhood outcomes, attendance, the 9th grade experience, and high school graduation. We will do so by 1) Reducing silos and aligning resources across sectors, such as housing, to ensure safe and stable housing is provided to all children and families; 2) Advocating for local and statewide policies to change systems and improve education outcomes; and 3) Engaging students in co-developing interventions and campaigns to increase attendance, decrease chronic absenteeism and address barriers such as poverty, transportation and housing stability. Additionally, the Alliance will build our parent and youth base by recruiting more parents and youth to co-create solutions alongside systems partners in order to remove barriers that impact student success.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Jessica Lewis, ROC the Future Alliance Communications Manager | jessica@rocthefuture.org

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ROC the Future Alliance 

ROC the Future Alliance is a community-wide coalition working to improve cradle-to-career outcomes. For more information about ROC the Future Alliance, visit rocthefuture.org. 

StriveTogether 

StriveTogether is a national network of 70 communities working to build a future where a child’s potential is not dictated by race, ethnicity, zip code or circumstance. The organization provides coaching, resources and rigorous approaches to create opportunities and eliminate inequities in education, housing and more. Together, the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network reaches 14 million youth — including 8 million children of color and one in five children experiencing poverty. For more information about StriveTogether, visit StriveTogether.org.