Rochester Children's Zone

Vision / challenge to community established and community dialogue commenced by Dr. Rivera (January – May 2005)

Schools identified and geographic boundaries delineated (Spring – Summer 2005)

Endorsement of RCZ concept by numerous community leaders (Summer – Fall 2005)

Unfortunate series of crimes in Northeast that drew attention to community needs and to RCZ concept (Summer – December 2005)

Initial neighborhood, community, agency, policy maker, and school outreach; documentation of community data; and formulation of “partner” database (August – December 2005 and ongoing)

Benchmarking visits to Baltimore and Harlem (Summer and Fall 2005)

Reference of support for RCZ in Call To Arms report and in campaign platform (Impact Rochester ) of Democratic mayoral primary winner (Fall 2005)

Formulation of 5 RCZ components (Summer 2005)

Rethinking how we educate our students during and after the school day
Working with parents and others in the city to support the education of our children
Rebuilding, restoring, and ensuring safety of neighborhoods
Ensuring the physical and mental health of our children and families
Developing adult literacy and employment

Identification of prospective national funders (December 2005)

Incorporation of RCZ into then Mayor Elect Duffy’s Education Transition Team priorities and Education Leadership Council functions (December 2005)

Identification of national organization to facilitate design of community planning process and execution of community planning process (Interaction Institute for Social Change) (January 2006)

Development of ongoing interest and support in linking RCZ to other organizations’ agendas (November 2005 – January 2006 and ongoing)

Establishing RCZ, Inc. 501C-3 as coordinating, monitoring, and governance structure (Winter 2006)

Laying out planning process (January - April 2006)

Establishment of – with inclusion and participation of community stakeholders – a comprehensive community plan for Rochester’s Northeast area … development of mission, vision, goals, common outcomes, short and long term implementation plans, including research-based interventions and programs (Fall 2006)

Definition of oversight and coordinating structure; and evaluation, monitoring, funding, and implementation mechanisms (Fall 2006)

Launch of Rochester Children’s Zone implementation plan and oversight structure (Fall 2006)