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)
Mobile status update

Real Options for City Kids (ROCK) R.O.C.K. is seeking an energetic (and kid friendly) hip hop dance instructor to teach our elementary and/or middle school students during our after school program. Our kids LOVE dancing (proof in the dance performance below), they're full of energy and ...

Posted: 4 days ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Shared story

Mellisa Speech at R.O.C.K. Connect In this heartwarming talk, Mellisa shares how R.O.C.K. became her sanctuary in the midst of an unpredictable home life, touching on the challenges of her childhood spent in and out of homeless shelters and the unique motivation she felt from ...

Posted: 6 days ago
Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
Added photos

Timeline Photos Training our kids to be superheroes, #dabbing and all. #kidsarethefuture #superhero #volunteer #ROCKrocks

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

Timeline Photos Want to be a part of a dynamic team and make a difference in the lives of San Francisco youth?

R.O.C.K. is hiring for the following positions:

- Marketing & Development Coordinator
- After School Activity Leaders (K-5th)

Visit https://zurl.co/v18P ...

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

Timeline Photos @GivingTues is almost over but our mission to support middle school youth will never end! Even $100 will provide 5 participants with an outdoor adventure that is sure to give them the confidence they need to #ROCKmiddleschool. Donate now at ...

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

Timeline Photos Just 4 hours left to support middle school youth as part of R.O.C.K.'s Giving Tuesday campaign! In case you haven't heard, we want to end #MiddleSchoolAwkward and we can only do it with your help. This guy caught a break--why ...

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

Timeline Photos Even this First Lady made it through a #MiddleSchoolAwkward phase. Let's give R.O.C.K. youth a chance to get through it, too! Donate to give them a chance to #ROCKMiddleSchool with our programs. Visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/342031453280651/to donate now--only 6 hours left to ...

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

Timeline Photos There's still time to end #MiddleSchoolAwkward by donating to our programs this #GivingTuesday! We believe our confidence-building programs will help youth #ROCKmiddleschool better than this actor did. Visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/342031453280651/ to donate (and find out who this is!).

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

Timeline Photos This actor now has a net worth of $25 mil--proving anyone can get through the awkward middle school phase. That's why this @GivingTuesday, R.O.C.K. is asking for your donation to provide our youth with a leg up through our confidence-building ...

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

Timeline Photos I'm not sure if she really had an "awkward" phase, but you can still support our middle school youth in their most awkward time! Donate to support them (and find out who this is) at https://www.facebook.com/donate/342031453280651/.

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

Timeline Photos When you donate this @GivingTues, your gift will support R.O.C.K.'s confidence-building programs and help broaden the horizons of our youth who are feeling as awkward as Jamie Foxx looks in this photo. Visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/342031453280651/ now to help us reach our ...

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

It's Giving Tuesday and R.O.C.K. is on a mission to make middle school less awkward by providing confidence-building programs. Donate today to support more outdoor adventures for our kids!

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

Timeline Photos Remember how awkward middle school was? I'll bet this guy does. Our youth are going through that awkward phase right now and we need your help! Visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/342031453280651/ to see how you can support them. #itsforthekids #GivingTuesday #MiddleSchoolAwkward

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

Timeline Photos @GivingTues is HERE! That means we have less than 24 hours to reach our goal to support middle school youth through the awkward phase. Even $100 provides five middle school participants with an amazing outdoor adventure--so every bit counts. Donate ...

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

Timeline Photos #GivingTuesday is almost HERE! Get a head start on your giving and help us end #MiddleSchoolAwkward on our page: https://zurl.co/E5Gf. #ROCKmiddleschool

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

Timeline Photos #GivingTuesday is in two days! Get a head start on your giving and help us end #MiddleSchoolAwkward on our page: https://zurl.co/dqIe. #ROCKmiddleschool

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

Timeline Photos #GivingTuesday is just TWO days away! Find out how you can help R.O.C.K. support middle schoolers as they overcome #MiddleSchoolAwkward and become their best selves--just like George Clooney did. https://zurl.co/i9ZC

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

Timeline Photos Have you heard? This @GivingTues, R.O.C.K. is on a mission to end #MiddleSchoolAwkward as our participants navigate their junior high years. With just one week left until #GivingTuesday #ROCKmiddleschool, we give you this incredible yearbook photo of a well-known celebrity. ...

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

Timeline Photos We are ONE WEEK out from #GivingTuesday! Support R.O.C.K.’s mission to end #MiddleSchoolAwkward with our confidence-building programs this #GivingTuesday. Find out how at https://zurl.co/qp1N

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

Dan Florin Speech at R.O.C.K. Connect R.O.C.K. Board Co-Chair Dan Florin can relate to the work of R.O.C.K.

In celebration of 24 years of serving children and youth in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) hosted R.O.C.K. Connect on November 8, 2018. ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

Mellisa Speech at R.O.C.K. Connect R.O.C.K. alumni Mellisa speaks about her challenging upbringing and how her R.O.C.K. Family provided her with stability.

In celebration of 24 years of serving children and youth in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) hosted R.O.C.K. ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Malia Cohen at R.O.C.K. Connect Legislative Aide Aliya Chisti speaking on behalf of San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Malia Cohen.

In celebration of 24 years of serving children and youth in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) hosted R.O.C.K. Connect ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

Award Presentation to Priscilla at R.O.C.K. Connect R.O.C.K. alumni Priscilla presented with the first-ever college scholarship award. She is currently a student at San Francisco State University.

In celebration of 24 years of serving children and youth in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, Real Options for City Kids ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

Christine Speech at R.O.C.K. Connect R.O.C.K. alumni Christine speaks about the positive influence of the program.

In celebration of 24 years of serving children and youth in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) hosted R.O.C.K. Connect on November 8, 2018. The ...

Posted: Last month
Real Options for City Kids

R.O.C.K. on the Today Show! Back in 2010, Al Roker from the Today Show paid us a visit to highlight our awesome programs and gift us with three truck loads of donations and supplies. We are grateful for the support, and invite anyone who wants ...

Posted: 7 months ago
Real Options for City Kids

Volunteer with R.O.C.K. Kids (by playing sports)! Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) is a nonprofit in San Francisco that offers after school programs, summer programs and Saturday programs to K-12 youth of Visitacion Valley. This video was created at our Saturday program, Basketball Skill Drills, which ...

Posted: 9 months ago
Real Options for City Kids

Give our kids the options they deserve Real Options for City Kids, or R.O.C.K. for short, is an award-winning nonprofit providing at-risk children in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley with the positive opportunities they deserve.

Do your part for the betterment of the world by joining our #GivingTuesday ...

Posted: Over a year ago
Real Options for City Kids

R.O.C.K. Connect 2017 Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) celebrates 23 years of service in San Francisco's Vistitacion Valley. Our annual fundraising event featured plenty of guest speakers including Marissa Garcia. For more information, visit www.rocksf.org

Posted: Over a year ago

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