The RPS Community Education Advisory Council (CEAC) offers mini-grants of up to $1,500 per project to support novel learning initiatives involving young people through student clubs and community non-profits. Renewal for a second year is possible.
These grants are designated for projects that extend learning opportunities beyond regular school hours. We value diversity across age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, and economic background, and we enthusiastically welcome proposals catering to varied audiences.
The council evaluates all applications received and actively encourages youth from our community to engage with us, sharing their experiences. CEAC grants aim to empower any youth-focused community group by providing resources to launch new endeavors, foster unique creations, and explore innovative concepts.
Our grants have supported a wide array of initiatives, including outdoor classrooms, community resource rooms, empowerment activities, robotics clubs, and youth development workshops. We encourage any project fostering learning experiences to apply for funding.
Applications can be submitted at any time with a rolling deadline of the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Start your application today at: https://www.rochesterce.org/o/ce/page/ceac.
We are always looking for new volunteer committee members. Express your interest by emailing deconroy@rochesterschools.org.
Case Study - Juntos
The Juntos group is dedicated to enhancing English proficiency among adults and bolstering math skills among diverse youth. This initiative specifically targets families facing language barriers that hinder their integration within the community. Many of these families struggle to attend regular English classes due to conflicting work schedules or other commitments. Juntos aims to facilitate participation by removing obstacles such as childcare, thereby creating a conducive educational environment for the entire family.
Through Juntos' program structure, adult learners engage in English language sessions while their children receive tailored math tutoring. This family-oriented approach not only fosters language and academic skills but also empowers parents to demonstrate the value of educational achievement and lifelong learning to their children.
However, the adult English language classes run by Juntos faced a shortage of funds, impacting their ability to provide essential teaching materials. This grant was instrumental in procuring crucial curriculum resources and a transport cart for these materials across program sites. The grant facilitated the purchase of books, workbooks, and audio materials necessary for delivering customized instruction to adults at varying proficiency levels within the classroom.
The partnership between Juntos and CE has matured over time, with Juntos continuing to offer tutoring services to the Hispanic community in Rochester while actively participating in summer and after-school programs. Seed grants like this one significantly support small community organizations and underscore the strength of partnerships throughout the Rochester district.