Rochester Education Foundation Programs: Empowering Students for Success
The Rochester Education Foundation (REF) is dedicated to helping students in Rochester succeed through a variety of impactful programs and initiatives. By collaborating with schools, community partners, and local organizations, REF fills resource gaps and provides meaningful experiences that foster a college-going culture and empower students to achieve their full potential. The four words that describe REF’s heart and soul are: Collaboration, Empowerment, Access, Success. REF has a profound, positive impact on the success of 20,000 students.
The Smile Program: Fostering Joy and Learning in Elementary Schools
At its core, the Smile Program is intended to help Rochester’s elementary school students enjoy their day in school and have fun while learning, and give them plenty of reasons to smile. The Smile Program is a two fold program - supporting "Just Plain Fun'' by providing funds for parent/teacher organizations at K-6 schools to help build community and smiles within the school; and “Learning Is Fun” by providing creative student experiences that complement the K-6 STEM curriculum and make learning fun. REF helps to build community within ALL RCSD elementary schools by funding parent/teacher organizations so that they have the autonomy to do programs and projects to bring joy to their students.
Created by local philanthropist, Dave Beck, the Smile Program has grown significantly over the years. Over the past eleven years, the Smile Program has grown from supporting one PreK-6 school to supporting ALL RCSD elementary schools! The program makes learning fun by providing fun, memorable, interesting, hands-on learning experiences that complement the science curriculum. REF plans to grow this program by inviting foundations, businesses, and community members to support it.
Music and Arts for All: Providing Access to Musical Instruments
Recognizing the importance of music education, REF launched the Music and Arts for All program in 2006, now called, Music and Arts for All. We’ve received over 4,000 instrument donations since launching our program in 2006. These instruments go to students, classrooms, and programs working with students who cannot afford one of their own.
The program accepts donations of instruments in playable condition, accessories, supplies such as strings and reeds, and equipment such as amplifiers. Instruments may be brought to our office at 225 W Broad St, Suite B (at the back of the Advantage Federal Credit Union Branch) on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 - 4:00. REF does not accept donations of pianos or organs.
Read also: Rochester University GPA Guide
Rochester College Access Network (RCAN): Paving the Path to Higher Education
REF convenes the Rochester College Access Network (RCAN). REF convenes the Rochester College Access Network (RCAN) which includes representatives from local colleges and universities, community based organizations, foundations, school administrators and school counselors from RCSD and Rochester city charter schools. Its goals are to work together to remove barriers to college access, increase success for Rochester city students, and foster a college going culture in the city of Rochester.
We bring college financial aid information and opportunities to students. We help bring all ninth grade Rochester students to visit a college campus. We help students fill out their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and search for scholarships so that they can get financial aid for college. Each year, hundreds of students receive assistance in completing college financial aid forms through our FAFSA Fest events. Volunteer at our FAFSA Fests
REF helps students and families understand the process for applying to college, search for scholarships, understand financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and learn what to expect at college.
REF is working to launch a Future Fair for all RCSD 7th grade students so that they can learn about a variety of careers and imagine their bright future ahead.
Read also: University of Rochester Library
Read also: HRMS at U of R Explained
tags: #rochester #education #foundation #programs
