R.O.C.K.’s Mission in Action

By Sarah Meike, Special Projects Coordinator

“The mission of R.O.C.K. is to nurture the healthy development of children by listening attentively to their needs and by providing opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access.”

When I talked to Derrick Connors, now 28 years old, about his experience in R.O.C.K.’s programs, it was if he had taken these words right off our website.  In Elementary school, Derrick participated in R.O.C.K.’s after school soccer program that took place at Visitaction Valley Elementary. He said he was made to feel included by R.O.C.K. staff who were always excited to see him at program and made him feel wanted by asking if he would be there the next day.

When Derrick was growing up in Visitacion Valley, he didn’t have much money for anything extra. R.O.C.K. provided opportunities for him to get to see and do things that he would otherwise not be able to. Through his experience in after school programs, Skill Drills, and S.A.L.T., he became more social and confident by getting exposed to new places, things, people and ideas.

After a quick break from college to work for Twitter’s global threat management team, Derrick is going back to school to pursue his Bachelors at Western Governor’s University while working as a Lyft driver and has dreams of starting his own YouTube channel that blends cooking and comedy. We look forward to seeing him at our future alumni events and as a volunteer with our programs.