CURCS: Connecting Universities to Rochester City Schools

The goal of CURCS is to recruit young, energetic, and innovative college students as volunteers to serve as tutors, classroom volunteers, mentors, and positive role models during the enrichment period of Expanded Learning Time schools.

• Recruit students, both graduate and undergraduate, to volunteer in ELT RCSD schools to address a specific need of that school. 

• Collaborate with the seven Rochester area universities to establish connections with student associations, fraternities, sororities, course professors, departments, and collegiate clubs to promote RCSD as an outlet for community engagement. 

• Recognize volunteer programs that already exist within RCSD schools to establish a collaborative network to allow volunteer organizations at the seven Rochester area colleges to work together effectively and efficiently.

CURCS is an innovative volunteering program because college volunteers are only required work a 2 hours a week (or more if preferred) during the semester with a strong supportive structure to ensure their satisfaction. Volunteer placements are also based on applicant schedules, making it a popular program for busy students of all kinds. The use of college students of different genders, races, religions, majors, and socioeconomic backgrounds is strategic in the sense that they provide a diverse and relatable set of role models to the students whom they will be helping.