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Helping Hands

 

The warm, happy vibes of this beautiful spring weather are making all of us at R.O.C.K. feel pretty grateful for many things, especially for those who support us. In this newsletter, we honor the R.O.C.K. stars who show their support with one of the most precious resources: time. Read on to see how our volunteers have combined time and talents to really make our programs shine.



 
 
 
 
 

 

This video was recorded at one of our most popular volunteer events called Skill Drills, an introductory sports clinic that teaches 1st-5th kids the fundamentals of basketball, soccer and volleyball. Email jenna@rocksf.org to volunteer. Video created by our amazing volunteer, Mark Wieser. Check out his website to see more of his awesome work.



We Love our Volunteers. Here's One of Many Reasons Why.

By Jenna Watanabe, Marketing & Development Coordinator

It was my second month on the job and I was eager to meet a brand new volunteer who just two days prior, eagerly expressed his interest in teaching kids basketball skills. As a former youth basketball coach, he couldn’t wait to get back on the courts and help kids discover their love for the sport, too.

On Mark Wieser’s first day of volunteering, we had the chance to chat for a few minutes before all the volunteers broke out into groups to practice basketball dribbling with kids from all over Visitacion Valley.

Then a few days after his first day, he reached out to express his appreciation for the event along with an offer to explore more ways to help our kids. He said he was always looking for ways to combine his passions for helping kids, basketball and making videos. We quickly arrived at one of the best decisions ever...

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How Do You Get a 7-Year Old to Eat Their Vegetables? Turn Them into Race Cars!

By Jenna Watanabe, Marketing & Development Coordinator

It was a rainy day with cool temperatures, and a team of ten young adults from a video game company called Product Madness filed into the El Dorado Elementary School cafeteria. This particular group was on a mission to one-up the event they hosted the year before—a comic book and sock puppet workshop—quickly becoming one of the most celebrated groups we’ve had in to volunteer with our kids.  The kids couldn’t stop asking the Product Madness team, “When are you coming back?”

That’s why partnering with Product Madness for the second year was a no-brainer. The young creative talent was exactly what R.O.C.K. loves about volunteer groups—those who are simply passionate about helping kids and want to use their collective power to do something totally unique. After weeks of brainstorming, the Product Madness team decided on...

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R.O.C.K. Star Staff Q&A

By Jenna Watanabe, Marketing & Development Coordinator

For this newsletter, I'll be interviewing Devin King, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, who has an integral part of keeping our kids and their families connected to our programs. We wanted to find out what her journey has been like for the six years she's worked with R.O.C.K. and learn more about what keeps her motivated in her work.

JW: Hi Devin, thanks for allowing us to interview you. Let's start with your experience. How long have you worked with R.O.C.K.?

DK: I've been with R.O.C.K. for 6 years.

JW: Wow six years! That's quite an accomplishment. What has helped you stay so committed to your job?

DK: The youth helps me stay committed! They are...

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Coming Up!

Skill Drills - Saturdays, 9:30am-noon, April 7 through May 12.

It’s back! One of our most popular volunteering activities is an introductory sports clinic called Skill Drills. This spring, enjoy teaching soccer skills to elementary school kids, no soccer experience needed! All you need is high energy, a great attitude and a passion for giving kids the gift of play. Email jenna@rocksf.org to sign up. Please note: Background checks are required for all volunteers.

SALT - Saturdays, April 7- May 12.

We have more adventures planned around San Francisco with middle school students. Show them how to roller skate, rock-climb or score a perfect game of bowling! Email jenna@rocksf.org for times, which vary by day. Please note: Background checks and cars with proof of insurance to help drive kids are required for all volunteers.

Happy Hour - 5:30-8:30pm, Thursday, May 3.

Mix and mingle with the R.O.C.K. community, staff and Board members, as we toast to the warm spring weather. Save room for some of their tasty tapas, including tostadas de tinga and chicken meatballs with a carrot-ginger sauce, and feel even happier knowing a portion of what you spend also supports our amazing kids. Asiento, 2730 21st Street, SF, 94110 (b/t York and Bryant St in the Mission). Visit our Facebook Event page for additional information.

Corporate Adventure & Team-Building Event - 1:00-5:00pm, Friday, June 15.

Want to switch up your regular company happy hour and make teambuilding more interactive (cocktails still included)? Our annual Go for Good game is coming up in June, and you and your team of 5-8 can go head to head with some of the Bay Area’s most fun companies.

Go for Good is a high-tech, corporate urban adventure where companies enter team(s) to compete for the Go for Good crown. Using a cell phone, teams traverse San Francisco by foot solving complex puzzles (e.g. riddles downloaded on their phones), going on secret missions (e.g. finding actors planted in the game area) and challenging other teams to a one on one battle (e.g. dance off). At the end, everyone will rendezvous at a local bar to enjoy pizza, beer and a video recap of all the hilarious events throughout the day. Teams are usually between 5-8 people so it works great with a small group within a company. If you are interested, or you want to put us in touch with the person in charge of coordinating team outings, email jenna@rocksf.org or visit http://rocksf.org/goforgood/ to sign up. 100% of proceeds benefit R.O.C.K.


 

 
 
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Real Options for City Kids, or R.O.C.K. for short, is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that provides active and enriching programs to...
 
 
 
 
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Celebrating 22 Years of service for children and youth in San Francisco.
73 Leland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134
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