Program areas at ROCK
Reaching Out to Community and Kids (ROCK) Food Services: Care and Share Food DistributionsROCK continued monthly food distributions throughout 2022 with the support of the Care and Share food bank. Between January and December of 2022 ROCK served an average of 132 food boxes through drive-through distribution and a total of . Each box has nutritious makings for 7 meals for a family of 4; or 44,268 meals for the entire year. November and December distributions included a turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For all of our distributions, volunteers are needed to help shop, package, and distribute the food boxes.Weekend BreakfastROCK served school-aged children weekend healthy and nutritious breakfasts in December and between the months of June and July. Breakfasts were passed out on Thursday afternoons from the ROCK building. ROCK distributed a total of 931 breakfasts to an average of 34 children per week.School Snack ProgramROCKs school snack program distributes a healthy snack every school day to all Pre-K through 5th grade students within the Dolores County School District RE-2J and Beyond the Nest Learning Center. Approximately 7603 snacks were distributed over the spring and fall of 2022 school with an average 98 grade-school students served every school day.Summer Lunch ProgramROCKs summer lunch program fed two nutritious and balanced hot lunches a week to children between the ages of 0-18 at the ROCK building. In 2022, 419 lunches were served with an average of 52 youth served per week.
Reaching Out to Community and Kids (ROCK) Yearly EVENTS: 10th Annual Easter Egg DashThe Easter Egg Dash served 144 Easter egg baskets to children. 111 families came together to search for plastic eggs that had candy and/or money in each one, play games, and get their face painted. Each basket was prepared by ROCK volunteers. 8th Annual School Supply DistributionIn 2022, ROCK distributed supplies to Dolores County and Egnar, CO children aged pre-K through high school. 61 high school students received supplies specifically for English and Math. ROCK passed out supplies to 60 middle school students, 95 grade school students, and 10 Pre-K students. A total of 226 students received supplies. At the same time we distributed school supplies, we also had a community celebration to kick off the new school year.The Halloween Spooktacular Carnival (2nd Trunk or Treat)ROCKs 2022 Spooktacular Carnival took place as a Trunk or Treat carnival again this year. 12 vehicles, including the local Ambulance, Sheriff, and Search and Rescue created carnival games with their vehicles and parking space for our youth. The senior class also created a kid-friendly outside haunted house. We served 99 youth and children, and 97 families. We also had 29 volunteers help with this event.ROCK the HolidaysOne of ROCKs largest events is bringing Santa to town. It is a large community appreciation celebration that has a free chili dinner, s'mores, and hot chocolate. Youth get to see Santa and receive free hats and gloves, and everyone who attends enjoys the Christmas lights and singing Christmas carols. This year 142 children saw Santa and 84 families attended the event.14th Annual Angel Tree ProgramThe Angel Tree Program reaches out to families who need help putting gifts under the tree for their children. In 2022, volunteers coordinated, wrapped, and distributed gifts to 81 low income children and their families. Each Angel received filled stockings and donated gifts from those in our community and each family received a food box that included a large turkey and all the makings for a holiday dinner. Increase from last year of 13 angels.6th Annual Golden Angel DistributionIn 2022, ROCK and ROCK volunteers delivered 75 food boxes to our senior citizens. They also received a hot homemade turkey dinner with all the sides and fixings including a full turkey breast and pumpkin pie. The seniors also received gifts of warm socks, gloves, lotions and treats. About 20 volunteers come together for this event to shop, cook, package, and deliver the items.
Reaching Out to Community and Kids (ROCK) Youth Enrichment Services & Community Outreach: YES ROCKs! is in its 5th and last year of implementation; after which, ROCK will move YES ROCKs! underneath YES programs. The program targets the community youth but has aspects the entire community enjoys. Youth Hangout ROCKs hangout is held twice a week year round. 10-12 year olds come on Fridays and 13+ on Saturdays. Youth gather to enjoy snacks while being encouraged to play games and hang out with friends in a safe and supportive environment. ROCK encourages screen-free time and positive interactions. ROCK served 332 youth aged 10-12 and 284 youth aged 13-18. The months varied and we had higher participation during hangout distribution. ROCK served an average of 56 youth per month.Youth Skills ROCKs youth skills groups are offered once a week for 8 weeks over the summer. Ages 6-18 are welcome. The skills taught varied from CPR, cooking, money skills, to survival skills. In 2022, we had a total of 203 youth attend, with an average of 25 kids attending weekly.Youth Art ClassesArt classes are offered once a week for 8 weeks over the summer for ages 6-18.The classes explore different topics, mediums, and approaches and we display the childrens artwork in the ROCK building year round. ROCK served a total of 216 youth with approximately 27 youth attending per week over the course of the 8 weeks.Adult Art Classes ROCK offers monthly adult art classes and is open to any Dolores County resident 18 or older. The classes are taught by local professional artists at the ROCK building. The program provides a safe, creative outlet for community members to express themselves and grow as individuals. In 2022 we served 126 adults and had an average attendance of 12 adults for each art class.Youth Music LessonsOne of our new programs that started in February of 2022. ROCK is offering professional 1:1 guitar lessons in the ROCK building on a weekly basis. Over the course of the year, 34 youth and adults have participated including 12 adults and 22 youth. Over the course of 2023 ROCK will refine the numbers and hours of those served.