Resources
There are many local government agencies and nonprofit groups working to promote engagement in the life of our community. The organizations listed below focus on critical work relating directly to the indicators presented here. Groups are listed by the subheadings used in the "Indicators-at-a-Glance" section, while organizations pursuing more general activity, including research, are listed at the end.
Civic Participation Each area county's Board of Elections is responsible for registering eligible voters and conducting elections. Many of the county boards provide additional information or services to encourage voting.
The League of Women Voters, open to both women and men, is a nonpartisan organization that encourages voter participation and active participation of citizens in government. The group conducts numerous educational activities, including publication of the Monroe County guide to elected officials called "Who Represents You?"
Rock the Vote is a national organization that strives to promote voting among younger citizens. The group uses music, actors, musicians, popular culture and new technologies to engage and motivate young people to register and then vote in every election.
Community Involvement
Engaging Volunteers
The United Way of Greater Rochester encourages residents to volunteer time to support local organizations. Active volunteering is made simple by the online Volunteer Connection that allows residents to easily connect with organizations seeking volunteers.
Rochester Cares is an emerging affiliate of the City Cares / Hands On Network, which strives to bridge the gap between agencies in need and volunteers looking to help out.
Lifespan of Greater Rochester coordinates volunteer opportunities for older adults throughout the region with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The Genesee County Office for the Aging links seniors with volunteer opportunities in Genesee.
Youth Engagement
Youth as Resources is a community-based youth philanthropy and youth voice program operated by the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau. The YAR Board provides mini-grants to young people to design and implement civic engagement activities and service projects that target social problems, resolve community issues, and contribute to significant community improvement. YAR is governed by local youth and adults responsible for grant making.
Youth Voice, One Vision is a comprehensive youth leadership program in Monroe County, coordinated by the City of Rochester's Bureau of Recreation and Youth Services and several community partners. The Rochester-Monroe County Youth Voice, One Vision Council unites youths and adults of youth-serving organizations and faith-based groups to share resources, strengthen youth representation, encourage youth interest in civic engagement, develop youth/adult partnerships and empower youth to make change and support community efforts. Officers and members come from the various City of Rochester community/recreation center locations.
Grassroots Engagement
Roc City Coalition is a collaboration of organizations that are focused on attracting, retaining, and empowering the young adults of greater Rochester. The Coalition offers information, ways to get involved, a chance to be heard, and an opportunity to build a stronger community.
The City Walk strives to build social capital through direct connection of people within the community, including its "first Thursday" walks in different parts of the community.
The Downtown Community Forum contributes to the development of a better-informed citizenry by showcasing the diversity of opinion within the Rochester community. Gatherings provide an opportunity to explore important issues and exchange ideas in an ecumenical, nonpartisan, democratic, and value-centered setting. Most events are held at the Dugan Center at St. Mary's Church in downtown Rochester.
City of Rochester residents can participate in the city's citizen-based planning effort, Neighbors Building Neighborhoods (NBN), organized through the city's Division of Planning.
Information about neighborhood organizations can be obtained from most city, town and village planning offices. These are generally listed in the "blue pages" at the front of the telephone directory.
Philanthropic Support
Citizens interested in becoming engaged by making financial donations can do so in many ways. Both the United Way of Greater Rochester and Rochester Area Community Foundation support a wide range of organizations and accept online donations.
General
Rochester Area Community Foundation encourages community engagement in a variety of ways, including making grants to organizations that support civic engagement activities and research that includes several social capital surveys that analyze the extent and depth of engagement in our region.
The Center for Community Engagement at St. John Fisher College promotes engagement by fostering citizen involvement, especially in voluntary and nonprofit organizations, and be helping to strengthen those organizations.
Banner photo provided by Tina Yee/Democrat and Chronicle