Rochester Reporter

City of Rochester

News Release

Mayor Malik D. Evans announced today that the Pathways to Peace School-based outreach team will introduce a new proactive, case-management outreach model in Rochester schools. This initiative aims to help students stay safe, find emotional support, and succeed academically throughout the school year.

“The vast majority of Rochester’s children and people are going to have a great school year and show up on the first day of school with smiles on their faces and excitement in their hearts,” Mayor Evans stated. “But far too many are still experiencing the aftershocks of the pandemic and are calling out for help by making bad decisions. This new outreach model is the next step in our ongoing progress to answer that call.”

Since taking office in 2022, Mayor Evans has expanded the Pathways to Peace violence-prevention and intervention team to include a school-based outreach team. Members work in City schools during the academic year, providing mentoring and counseling services to help students avoid violence or encounters with law enforcement.

The new model will focus on a small number of students in each school who exhibit the greatest need for support, offering services both inside and outside of school.

These services include:

- Ensuring regular school attendance: Monitoring attendance records and providing support to encourage consistent attendance.

- Conducting home visits: Visiting students' homes to connect with families and address barriers to academic success.

- Facilitating workshops: Utilizing evidence-based programs like Project Lead the Way, which focuses on leadership development, conflict resolution, and community engagement.

- Advocating for students: Representing students' interests in school meetings and other settings.

- Connecting with parents: Maintaining open communication with parents and guardians regarding student progress.

- Collaborating with school staff: Working closely with teachers, counselors, and administrators to develop comprehensive support plans for students.

Pathways to Peace is one among many services offered by the City's Department of Recreation and Human Services (DRHS). Fall programming at City R-Centers begins on September 11th, featuring numerous programs aimed at keeping children physically active and mentally engaged after school hours.

Free programs at R-Centers cover a wide range of interests including traditional sports, academic enrichment, life-skills training, leadership development, and nature exploration.

Additionally, Social Emotional Health and Wellness services will continue at four R-Centers with certified mental health counselors available. For more information or to register as an R-Center member, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/r-central.

The DRHS Office of Crisis Intervention Services also offers assistance through its Person in Crisis (PIC) mobile-response team. To request a visit from the PIC team, call 988.

Furthermore, BreatheDeep—a non-profit restorative wellness agency—has been contracted by the City to provide counseling services to DRHS staff. This partnership aims to enhance employee health while equipping them with skills necessary for identifying signs of trauma among clients they serve.