Greater Rochester Afterschool & Summer Alliance (GRASA)

Today, we solemnly observe the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The trade of enslaved Africans, which operated between the fifteenth and late nineteenth centuries, involved the horrific trafficking of millions of women, men and children. It gave rise to false narratives of white supremacy and racial inferiority, which were used to justify slavery and continues to plague our society today. We stand with the United Nations in affirming our commitment to: Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of dignity and justice. #racialequity #antiracism Learn more -

To commemorate Youth Voice Week, GRASA is recognizing the profound impact of youth on our society. Oftentimes, young people are closest to the issues that matter in our schools and communities. When we reinforce their ideas and experiences, real change can happen. Read more about how youth voices are changing afterschool programs for the better nationwide: https://lnkd.in/ePTRij7J

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is more than an abbreviation. It is a way of embedding essential life skills into education, helping individuals develop self-awareness, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. Through SEL, we foster not only academic growth but also the social and emotional well-being that empowers individuals to navigate life's challenges with resilience and empathy. So families in our community Happy SEL Week!

GRASA invites all Out-of-School Time programs and your staff to join us for the 2024 OST Winter Providers Breakfast this Friday, December 20th. Meet us at 321 State St, Rochester, NY 14608; 3rd Floor High Falls A and B at the Monroe Community College Downtown Campus. This is a great opportunity to network with your colleagues from the Greater Rochester area and meet GRASA’s new Advisory Committee. We look forward to breaking bread with you. Don't forget to register by December 17th! https://buff.ly/3ZWIYbi

The summer common application is now open! Because school-aged kids in every part of our region deserve the chance to grow and thrive, this year, the common application has been expanded to include Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Wyoming, and Yates counties, in addition to Monroe. One simple application can connect you to funding for summer programming from five major regional funders. Apply by December 27th and don't forget to share this opportunity with summer programs in your area. Click to learn more and apply. https://buff.ly/4eZkYZd

Don't forget about your FAFSA! As GRASA continues to partner with the National Summer Learning Association, we encourage your families to explore the new FAFSA form. This is a simpler way for students to determine their eligibility for Federal grants, scholarships and more. We invite you to share this timeline and checklist with your students and families as a helpful resource for this process: https://buff.ly/4dovBF0.

GRASA had the wonderful opportunity to sponsor, attend, and table at the Playful Learning Summit, hosted by Healthi Kids. We got to chat with different community members about resource sharing and play, fun, and learning, listened to youth speak on a panel, participated in workshops, and more! Thank you for having us Healthi Kids! What a wonderful day! #GRASA #PlayFunAndLearning #PlayfulLearningSummit2024 #HealthiKids #OST #RochesterNY

Please share this with the youth and families in your programs! GRASA is excited to partner with the National Summer Learning Association to tell you about the new FAFSA form. The new FAFSA form makes it simpler and more convenient for students to determine if they are eligible for Federal grants, scholarships and more! It's never too early to start filling out the FAFSA. This timeline and checklist helps you make sure you're completing all the steps: https://buff.ly/4dovBF0. #GRASA #Scholarships #Checklist #FAFSA

On Sunday, our community was faced with a terrible tragedy. What was supposed to be a space that brought Rochester residents together was instead a moment of terror, fear, and destruction. Our hearts go out to those who witnessed the Maplewood Park shooting, to the families of the victims, and to anyone else who is hurting. As we try and make sense of this senseless act, GRASA, in partnership with City and County resources, is here to support any OST programs or community member in need. This is a time to tap into self-awareness and give yourself what you need without hesitancy. Click here for resources: https://buff.ly/3YpDfKJ #OneCity #OneCommunity #RochesterWILLHEAL #SEL?? ?? ??

Take a look at these amazing photos from the Freedom Scholars Learning Center, Inc. Scholars Learning Center! The Freedom Scholars hosted a National Day of Social Action recently, where they campaigned against banning books in America. The event included a rally, shared stories, and a silent read-in where people could read a book that had been banned. To learn more about the Freedom Scholars and their Day of Social Action, check out this article: https://buff.ly/4bZqpGm. Thank you Freedom Scholars, for sharing your accomplishment with us! We're proud of the programs throughout Rochester who take a stand to protect our youth. #GRASA #RochesterNY #FreedomScholars #NoMoreBannedBooks #SocialAction #OST #OutOfSchoolTime