
What is ROC the Future?
ROC the Future is a community cradle to career framework for improving academic achievement for children in the city of Rochester, NY. Our work is based on the data-driven StriveTogether framework. Our efforts are currently focused on School Readiness, Early Grade Literacy, and High School Graduation.
Our Mission
ROC the Future is an alliance of over 60 leading Rochester-area institutions and community partners that promotes alignment of community resources to improve the academic achievement of Rochester’s children.
We will achieve this using a collective impact approach. No one individual or business can accomplish significant change. By working together, funders, providers, and staff are focused on a common agenda. Our efforts are based on evidence-based practice and measured by ROC the Future Annual Report Cards Collectively, we can and will create opportunities for success for every child, from cradle to career.
Help Us Make an Impact
We want you to be a part of our collective impact. You can make a difference in the future of Rochester City School District’s students. Whether you’re a parent, an educator, a local business, or a concerned citizen, we need your help. Contact us today to help us provide strategic assistance, network communications, and high-quality resources for students.
Conveners
Jerome Underwood
Center for Governmental Research*, represented by
Erika Rosenberg
The Children’s Agenda*, represented by
Jeff Kaczorowski‡
Larry Marx†
Children’s Institute*, represented by
Dirk Hightower† (School Readiness Outcome Team)
Terry Hartmann†‡
City of Rochester, represented by
Mayor Lovely Warren
Sandra Simon‡
Common Ground Health, represented by
Wade Norwood
Dina Faticone
Congressman Joe Morelle, represented by
Sean Hart
East High School in Partnership with the University of Rochester, represented by
Shaun Nelms†
Lorna Washington
ESL Federal Credit Union, represented by
Ajamu Kitwana†, ROC the Future Chair
Maureen Wolfe
Farash Foundation, represented by
Alicia Jinks
Holli Budd‡
Great Schools for All, represented by
John Wilkinson
Greater Rochester Health Foundation, represented by
Matthew Kuhlenbeck
Heidi Burke
Greater Rochester Quality Council*, represented by
Nancy Plews
Healthy Baby Network, represented by
Sherita Bullock (Perinatal Collaborative Action Network)
Ibero American Action League, represented by
Angelica Perez-Delgado‡
JPMorgan Chase, represented by
Matthew Duncan
Monroe Community College, represented by
Andrea Wade
Shawanda Evans
Monroe County, represented by
Corinda Crossdale
Nazareth College, represented by
Daan Braveman
Katie DaBoll-Lavoie
North East Charter School Network, represented by
Anna Hall
Aaron Gladd
NYS Senate, represented by
Senator Joe Robach
Rochester Area Community Foundation*, represented by
Jennifer Leonard
Simeon Banister
Chris Dandino (Expanded Learning Opportunities Collaborative Action Network)
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, represented by
Adrian Hale
Rochester City School Board, represented by
Van White
Rochester City School District, represented by
Interim Superintendent Daniel Lowengard
Cecilia Golden (High School Graduation Outcome Team)
Elizabeth Mascitti-Miller†
Rochester Education Foundation, represented by
Stuart Hencke (College Access Collaborative Action Network)
Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, represented by
Roosevelt Mareus†‡
Rochester Public Library, represented by
Patricia Uttaro, ROC the Future Secretary
St. John Fisher College, represented by
Kevin Railey
Diane Cooney-Miner
The College at Brockport, represented by
Heidi Macpherson
Katy Heyning
The United Way, represented by
Jaime Saunders
Jenn Cathy
*Provides backbone staff support
†Executive Committee
‡Governance