Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)

Over 24 Years

as the largest provider of active and enriching
programs for children and youth in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley

Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)

Our mission 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.

Our Story

Real Options for City Kids Mission, Purpose and History

Signature Programs

High-Quality Active and Academic Programming

R.O.C.K. Has Become Fundamental in Visitacion Valley

Our Impact

R.O.C.K. Has Become Fundamental in Our Community

Featured News

You Get a Backpack!
You Get a Backpack! By Sarah Meike, Special Projects Coordinator The week before school started, the Visitacion Valley community came together to make sure that our kids were ready...
William Blair Spreads Philanthropic Mission to the Bay Area by Partnering with Real Options for City Kids of San Francisco
William Blair Spreads Philanthropic Mission to the Bay Area by Partnering with Real Options for City Kids of San Francisco By Jenna Watanabe, Marketing & Development Coordinato...
We LOVE our Volunteers. Here’s One of Many Reasons Why.
We LOVE our Volunteers. Here’s One of Many Reasons Why. By Jenna Watanabe, Marketing & Development Coordinator This video was recorded at one of our most popular volunteer even...

VIEW NEWS

Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Timeline Photos It's finally here—our R.O.C.K. the Block Community Play Day is happening TOMORROW! Stop by Visitacion Valley Middle School for a BBQ, carnival games, a video game truck, and more!

Posted: 13 hours ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

It's finally here—our R.O.C.K. the Block Community Play Day is happening TOMORROW! Stop by Visitacion Valley Middle… https://t.co/6BY0LtvuCq
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Posted: 15 hours ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

RT @SFPublicLibrary: Who's ready for summer? We are! Summer Stride kicks off in 1 week here at the library. Find out more at https://t.co/0…
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Posted: 20 hours ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

RT @SFUnified: Mayor @LondonBreed has announced the San Francisco Museums for All program where SF residents currently enrolled in CalFresh…
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Posted: 20 hours ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

RT @LondonBreed: This summer, more than 200,000 San Franciscans will have free access to museums & art institutions throughout the City to…
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Posted: 20 hours ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Mobile status update

Power With Grace Check out two of our amazing Team R.O.C.K. Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon athletes! These two ladies have already CRUSHED their fundraising goals and are ready for that grueling swim from Alcatraz to the shores of San Francisco.

R.O.C.K. is the ... Comments Power With Grace Excited to meet everyone in 2 weeks!!!

Posted: 20 hours ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Photos from Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)'s post Calling all volunteers! We still need a few more enthusiastic individuals to accompany us on our 24th annual Lil' Kid Camp adventure, coming up on June 5th-8th. Be a mentor for our kids as they swim in the lake, go ... Comments This would be so fun!!

Posted: 2 days ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

Calling all #volunteers! Join us for our 24th annual Lil' Kid Camp adventure in #PollockPines/#SouthLakeTahoe and b… https://t.co/NFEFuXKfjz
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Posted: 2 days ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Photos from Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)'s post We recently learned all about dental hygiene with our friend Michael from Children's Choice Pediatric Dental Care! Our kids were excited to learn about proper brushing techniques, and even got to look at some dragon teeth. Thank you to everyone ...

Posted: 4 days ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

We recently learned all about dental hygiene with our friend Michael from Children's Choice Pediatric Dental Care!… https://t.co/GrKKDSzbwW
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Posted: 4 days ago
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

Join us on Saturday, May 25th for our R.O.C.K. the Block #Community #PlayDay at Visitacion Valley Middle School! Th… https://t.co/KBiEdDdiPq
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Posted: Last week
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Photos from Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)'s post Last week, we teamed up with HandsOn Bay Area and Levi Strauss & Co for Levi's annual Community Day! Our awesome volunteers got their hands dirty building, planting, and painting at El Dorado Elementary School.

To top it off, the ...

Posted: Last week
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

Giving back never goes out of style. Thank you @LeviStraussCo for spending your Community Day with us! https://t.co/TrSDSfKQjn
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Posted: Last week
R.O.C.K.
@RealOptionsKids

The big day is almost here! Swing by Soda Popinski's tomorrow, May 9th, from 6pm-9pm for a night of guest bartendin… https://t.co/z8YgKBazFm
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Posted: 2 weeks ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos On #NationalTeachersDay, we want to thank all of our R.O.C.K. teachers for being the very best mentors, supporters, and guides for our students. You are at the root of our community impact. From all of us at R.O.C.K. , Happy ...

Posted: 2 weeks ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Photos from Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)'s post Have you heard about SALT? If not, keep reading!

R.O.C.K.'s Student Adult Leadership Training (SALT) program is a unique initiative that enables middle school youth to broaden their horizons. During our three seasonal sessions, SALT participants have the opportunity to ...

Posted: 3 weeks ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos As the month of April comes to an end, we want to give a heartfelt shoutout to all of our wonderful volunteers who helped out during National Volunteer Month. Of course, our work doesn't end here—R.O.C.K. was built on volunteers, ... Comments Thanks, awesome volunteers!

Posted: 3 weeks ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Timeline Photos Today is #NationalSuperheroDay, and we're celebrating all of the heroes in our lives—including those in the real world and those in our favorite fantasy universes. You can be a hero by helping R.O.C.K. in its mission to make our community ...

Posted: 3 weeks ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Timeline Photos We're less than two weeks away from our next Happy Hour event, featuring guest bartenders from our sponsors at the San Francisco Giants Front Office and the Spinsters of San Francisco! There will be tasty drinks, great people, and awesome ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos Meet Anthea, another one of our outstanding volunteers! Anthea dedicates her time and expertise, both as a volunteer and as a member of our Development Committee. Here's why Anthea volunteers with R.O.C.K.:

"I've been spending my Saturday mornings with a ... Comments Go Anthea!

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos We're honored to provide San Francisco youth with the opportunity to explore the natural world—many of whom would not otherwise have the chance to venture outside their own urban communities. From all of us at R.O.C.K., Happy Earth Day.

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added video

R.O.C.K. Skill Drills: Soccer Edition Did you hear? Skill Drills is officially back for Spring! We're all warmed up and ready for our second session this Saturday!

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos Say hello to Edwin, another one of our dedicated volunteers! Edwin has been volunteering with R.O.C.K. for more than 10 years, and is looking forward to many more awesome experiences:

“The opportunity to be a mentor or just a compassionate ... Comments Edwin you do rock and miss you!

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Timeline Photos In the spirit of National Volunteer Month, we'd like to recognize one of our superstar volunteers, Andy! Andy has been a consistent volunteer at our Saturday Skill Drills, and the kids all agree that he's completely awesome. Here's what Andy ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos It's time for our fourth and final #VirtueOfTheWeek: LOVE. There are many kinds of #love; love of family, love of others, love of self. Many kinds of love make for a full life, and that's what we aim to model ... Comments All you need is love. Love is all you need.

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? Volunteers are essential to the work we do at R.O.C.K., and we want to express our gratitude. Check back throughout the month to learn about some of our amazing, dedicated, talented ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Shared story

rocksf.org We’re hiring! R.O.C.K. is seeking a Deputy Director—a visionary leader who can help set our course for the future and manage our daily operations. See the full job description and instructions to apply below.

https://rocksf.org/forms/R.O.C.K.%20Deputy%20Director%20Job%20Description.pdf

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
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Timeline Photos It's a new week, which means it's time for our #VirtueOfTheWeek! Today we're focusing on SELF-CONTROL. #SelfControl is not only limited to one's temper, but control of oneself in all things—including playing, working, and talking.

Posted: Last month

EXPLORE SOCIAL

Want to see a better tomorrow for Visitacion Valley?

Let’s start with our kids.

BE A VOLUNTEER

I can honestly say from experience that R.O.C.K. consists of people who genuinely care for the kids. I started attending R.O.C.K. as an eight year old at “Skill Drills” on Saturdays and as I got older, R.O.C.K. continued to be a part of my life.

– Monique Garrett, Past Participant
Read Story

Trusted by various organizations, schools and people in the community

High-quality Active and Academic Programming

By giving kids the chance to participate in our fun and nurturing programs, R.O.C.K. ensures every kid has the opportunity to develop, grow and thrive in a safe environment.

Over 24 Years