The Project Ready program is a signature program of the National Urban League. Since 2006, the Urban League of Rochester’s Project Ready program has provided intensive college preparation services, including academic support, ACT and SAT test preparation, cultural enrichment, to African-American males in grades 8-12. In 2013, the program expanded to include gender-specific activities for both males and females.
President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, William Clark states that Teamwork and Time Management are the two main aspects that afforded the young men of Project Ready Post-Secondary Success STEM, the First Place position at the 2014 National Urban League’s Annual Youth Leadership Summit and Case Competition, which was held in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This year’s theme was “Empowered to Change the Nation: Focus, Motivation and Dedication
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, students of our local Urban League developed “Project ENGAGE”, to address the issues of inequities found in education, employment and economics through civic education and engagement.
The Project Ready team presented a case statement, goals, an advocacy campaign strategy, implementation plan and a timeline for Project ENGAGE. These students invested their time in a program that they felt very strongly about, and it showed in their final presentation.
The 2014 Project Ready team consisted of:
Parris Strickland, 11th grade
Tracey Harrison, 11th grade
Anaji Powell, 8th grade
Elliott Poole, 8th grade
This is the sixth year, the Urban League of Rochester has participated in the “Case Competition”. Annually it presents opportunity for students across the country to present their best solution for the current year’s “case” to hundreds of guests in attendance. This year included talented youth from Project Ready programs in Houston, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; and Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Clark and staff express much pride for this year’s Project Ready students who reside in the City of Rochester but attend various suburban and Christian schools.
Students served by this program demonstrate both the potential to achieve a high degree of academic success and the need for additional supportive services to help them access college.
The Project Ready program is open to students in schools in the entire Greater Rochester area, including RCSD schools, which are involved in ULR.
About the Urban League of Rochester:
The Urban League of Rochester exists to transform the community, empower individuals, create opportunities and provide hope. It was founded in 1965 as an affiliate of the National Urban League after the racial riots in downtown Rochester, and today, nearly 50 years later, supports nearly 15,000 individuals every year through eight core program service areas. The ULR core program service areas focus on teenagers/young adults, families, the developmentally disabled, education, employment, homeownership, economic development and entrepreneurial assistance. To learn more on the Urban League of Rochester and its programs and services, visit www.ulr.org.
