   New York, NY – Mercy College and Roads to Success (RTS) have partnered to offer high school students from low-income households and immigrants a unique opportunity to earn college credit by taking Introduction to Cybersecurity classes.
This summer, 14 students enrolled in the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), with RTS as their provider, took a Mercy College Introduction to Cybersecurity class at Mercy’s Manhattan Campus located in Herald Square. The students successfully completed the intensive class and gained critical knowledge and tuition-free credits towards a college degree. “Mercy College is committed to increasing opportunity for all driven students, regardless of background,” said Scorpio Rogers, Ph.D., Vice President of Mercy College's Bronx and Manhattan Campuses. “We’re proud to partner with RTS and invest in the talent of these young people.” “We are dedicated to knocking down barriers to college access,” said Sheila Duke, CEO of Roads to Success. “This collaboration allowed our students to envision bigger futures for themselves.” In just five life-changing weeks, the summer course provided underserved students with an opportunity many believed was out of reach. Beyond gaining college credits, participants developed confidence, knowledge, and support systems to continue pursuing higher education, STEM fields and career goals once unimaginable. “Even without citizenship yet, I'm grateful for college credit while still in high school. I'm a step ahead now,” said Jessenia, 15, one of the participants. “This chance impacts my college path immensely. It's helping me balance work, school, and college prep while staying focused. I'm so grateful because not many get this opportunity. It's empowering me and teaching me how college works,” shared Angel, 17, another participating student. What makes this partnership truly unique is its innovative approach to empowering undocumented youth and non-native English speakers. Roads to Success and Mercy College provided critical language and translation support, breaking down barriers to enable all students to engage fully. “As a Spanish speaker still learning English, having lessons translated was key for me to truly engage with course material and succeed,” remarked one of the non-English speaking students in the program. Mercy College, the largest private, non-profit Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in the region, has long been committed to college access. The College received national attention last year when it earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, a national certification for intentionally serving Latino students. Forty-four percent of Mercy’s undergraduate student population is Hispanic and Many of them are first-generation college students. Mercy’s Cybersecurity Program is recognized nationally, designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Roads to Success has impacted over 15,000 underserved New York City youth through programs focused on college access, career development, social-emotional learning, and leadership this year. Over 85% of RTS students identify as youth of color and/or immigrant youth. RTS partners with NYC high schools, prioritizing those with higher rates of economic disadvantages, to ensure all students receive guidance and support to navigate future success regardless of background. About Mercy College Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy College is an independent, coeducational college that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Nursing, Liberal Arts and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The vibrancy of the College culture is sustained by a diverse student body from around the region. The College offers campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx and Manhattan as well as online offerings. For more information, visit www.mercy.edu. About Roads to Success The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. For more information visit www.roadstosuccess.org.
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Roads to Success Rings Nasdaq Opening Bell,  Gaining Global Recognition for Empowering NYC Youth.8/1/2023  New York, NY (August 1, 2023) - This morning, Roads to Success (RTS) rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in Times Square, marking a watershed moment for the nonprofit.
RTS staff, students, board members and supporters gathered to take part in the iconic bell ringing ceremony. For 20 minutes, RTS' name shone brightly on the Nasdaq tower and ticker as the group opened the day's trading. Founded in 2004, RTS empowers underserved youth across NYC's five boroughs through pioneering out-of-school-time programs focused on academic support, leadership development, career exposure, college access, and social-emotional growth. RTS Executive Director Sheila Duke shared, “This incredible honor brings much-deserved visibility to our organization’s vital work guiding over 50,000 young New Yorkers toward graduation, purpose and possibility." The ceremony comes on the heels of RTS' 7th Annual Youth Leadership Summit and the launch of their Summer Rising enrichment camps and Summer Youth Employment Program, which have already served thousands of youths this summer. Ringing the Nasdaq bell validates decades of impact in overlooked communities. RTS staff were inspired as they saw their efforts recognized on a global stage. The recognition motivates students to continue reaching boldly for their dreams. While proud of how far we have come, RTS remains dedicated to expanding opportunities for NYC youth. Duke said, "Our work uplifting students is far from over. This energizes us to empower even more exceptional youth.” About Roads to Success The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. Learn more at www.roadstosuccess.org. Contact: Vidhi Guleria Marketing & Communications Manager vidhi@roadstosuccess.org  Roads to Success hosted its 7th Annual Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 at The Borough of Manhattan Community College. The half-day event brought together over 500 students and young professionals to develop leadership skills and connect with industry leaders. With the theme “Build Your Own Road,” this year's Summit focused on embracing discomfort, challenging the status quo, and leading with conviction to create change. In his keynote address, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams spoke about the importance of questioning assumptions and imagining a better world, then working to make it a reality. A highlight was the leadership career panel, where attendees heard from role models across industries discuss their journeys, leadership strategies, and decision-making. As panelist Donna M. Wilson, President of Strategic Intersections LLC, stated: “Do not wait for the system to change - be the change. Transform from within to build the world you seek.” Attendees also engaged in immersive workshops on topics like e-commerce, art of engagement, financial literacy, banking and credit understanding, community health, STEM, and more. “Our goal is to inspire and equip the next generation of diverse leaders with practical skills to drive impact,” said Roads to Success CEO Sheila Duke. “Judging by the energy and engagement of attendees, the future is undoubtedly bright.” Roads to Success is a nonprofit dedicated to youth and young adult empowerment through leadership development, mentorship, and college access programs. The Annual Leadership Summit bolsters the skills of young leaders nationwide. About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org)
The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. Contact: Vidhi Guleria Marketing & Communications Manager vidhi@roadstosuccess.org  With great excitement, Roads to Success (RTS) welcomes Mrs. Esther Kuykendoll as the Chief Administrative Officer. She will lead the organization's Human Resources, Development, Compliance, and Operations. Esther is familiar to many at RTS, having served as a Senior Program Director in this organization a few years ago.
Esther is a seasoned youth service leader with a passion for stewardship in under-resourced communities. She has worked for the last 15 years with some of the most reputable nonprofit organizations in the country. Esther has experience across youth service, including managing privately funded, feed-based youth programs in New York and New Jersey, and grant-funded programs with contracts totaling over $6 million. She has worked and served the East Harlem community for the last three years. Mrs. Sheila Duke, CEO-RTS said, ‘’We are energized to have Esther Kuykendoll on RTS team. She is deeply committed to improving the lives of youth. She brings an understanding of managing large teams, setting strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills to build donor and volunteer resources at RTS. I know we'll accomplish great things together with her expertise and dedication. Earlier in her career, Esther worked in youth services for organizations such as Harlem Children’s Zone, Goodwill Industries, The YMCA of Greater New York, and two nonprofit organizations in Tokyo, Japan; Refugees International Japan and Hands on Tokyo. She holds an M.A. in Urban Policy and Administration from Brooklyn College and a B.A. in Media and Communications from SUNY Old Westbury. Effective May 15th, 2023, Esther is very excited to lead the team at RTS into the future of immense possibilities. “I’m excited to work with the RTS CEO Mrs. Sheila Duke and the team, to help Roads to Success and all the youth associated with it, achieve its strategic goals.” – Esther Kuykendoll About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org) The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. Contact: Vidhi Guleria Marketing & Communications Manager vidhi@roadstosuccess.org  NYC, NY, February 28th, 2023 Roads To Success (RTS) has been named an Official Charity Partner for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 5. RTS will be among more than 550 official charity partners providing thousands of runners the opportunity to run in the world’s biggest and boldest marathon. The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the city’s most anticipated and iconic annual sporting events, attracting runners and spectators of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities from around the world. More than 50,000 runners are expected this year after the race returned to full capacity last year. "The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most exciting days of the year and thanks to our incredible Charity Partners, it is also one of the most impactful and purposeful sporting events in the world'', said Christine Burke, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, NYRR. "New York Road Runners is proud to support the Roads To Success team and the incredible impact they have made to the communities as they raise important funds to benefit their mission of empowering youth and build future leaders." “We are excited and thrilled to be one of the amazing Charity Partners. TCS New York City Marathon allows organizations such as RTS to amplify our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity and excited to cheer for all the runners onboard!” said Sheila Duke, Chief Executive Officer, RTS. The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services. Participating charities can offer guaranteed entry to runners who fundraise on their behalf. About Roads to Success (RTS) The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. To learn more, visit www.roadstosuccess.org About New York Road Runners (NYRR) NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org. Contact: Roads To Success Vidhi Guleria Marketing & Communications Manager vidhi@roadstosuccess.org NYRR Media Relations Stuart Lieberman (c): 646-770-6987 (e): slieberman@nyrr.org Roads To Success names Sheila Duke as its new Chief Executive Officer  New York City, NY, Feb 2nd, 2023 – Roads To Success (RTS) announces the appointment of Mrs. Sheila Duke (Wilson-Wells) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mrs. Duke will succeed Ms. Lisa Recio, who has led RTS for the past ten years.
During the past several months, the Board of Directors of RTS engaged in a comprehensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer to further the mission of creating a world where all young people have equal access to a successful future. The unanimous decision of the Board was followed by an extensive recruitment process. Prior to joining RTS, Sheila was the Chief Program Officer at the Fresh Air Fund. She has also held the title of Associate Executive Director of Early Childhood & Youth programs at Union Settlement Association and was responsible for overseeing a portfolio of over $10 million in public and private funding impacting several thousand children and families. She previously managed summer, elementary and college access for all programs at New York Edge. She is a native New Yorker, and a passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive socially just communities. Sheila is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as the 1st Vice President of her local NAACP branch. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Old Westbury and a Master of Science in Non-Profit Leadership from Fordham University. “I am thrilled to announce that we have selected Sheila Duke to fill this critical role. Sheila is a seasoned veteran within the youth programs space, with a strong track record of managing teams and programs.” said Mr. Gregorio Concha-Toro, Chair, RTS Board of Directors. On behalf of the Board, he further said, “We are honored and privileged to have such a talented and inspiring leader joining our community and look forward to introducing Sheila to all of you in the near future. Throughout her career, Sheila has shaped and advocated on a diverse set of issues, including summer restoration campaigns, early childhood education, ethics, police accountability, and preventative services. We would like to thank everyone who was part of this journey in helping advance our mission, with particular recognition of Lisa Recio and her executive team for the impact they have made on countless youths' lives for many years.” Mrs. Sheila Duke said, “What an honor to serve as Roads to Success’s incoming CEO, I look forward to working alongside the Board of Directors and entire Team as we continue the mission to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. At RTS we believe every young person has a right to access an equitable pathway of success and every day I will strive to make that mission a reality in the lives of the youth, school’s families and communities we serve.” Mrs. Sheila Duke assumed the role of CEO of RTS in January 2023 and will be based in the organization’s headquarters in New York City. About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org) The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive. #### Contact: Vidhi Guleria Marketing & Communications Manager vidhi@roadstosuccess.org  Young Leaders Elementary School - Bronx, NYYouth in the Mott Haven section in the South Bronx face difficult odds because of extreme poverty, crime, health concerns, and pervasive literacy deficits in their community. When we began our partnership with Young Leaders Elementary School (YLE) P.S. 369 in 2015, our students were no exception. At the beginning of our partnership, only 3% of YLE third graders were proficiently reading at a third grade level. According to the National Assessment of Educational Process, reading proficiently by the end of third grade can be a make-or-break benchmark in a child’s educational development. It is at this point when students begin to apply their reading skills to learn other subjects. A lack of reading proficiency can cause a child to feel frustrated in school which can lead to a downward spiral of learning and behavioral issues. Moreover, almost 1/5 of children who do not read by third grade will not graduate high school. Those incarcerated are about 80% non-graduates. Fulfilling a NeedIn response to this crisis, we made a promise to YLE's new Principal, Jaleelah Cooke, to facilitate high-quality programming designed to extend the school day beyond 3pm, creating a positive learning environment of belonging and perseverance to boost literacy levels in the school. Our approach included: (1) Literacy-infused arts education (2) Organized phonics and site word recognition activities (3) English language call-and-response cheers and songs (4) Facilitation of the iRead software program (5) Increasing enrollment in Saturday test prep by planning incentives such as field trips and fun events for students and families who attended By addressing the 3pm-6pm hours, parents were empowered to find or maintain employment by having their childcare needs satisfied. The Result of Hard WorkAfter 5 years, third graders at YLE exceeded the New York statewide English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency average of 45% with a rate approaching 60%. According to Principal Cooke, our program was "the consistent staple which contributed to the success of rising third graders" at YLE, despite inconsistent funding sources available from the government or other funders. What the progress of these resilient, young South Bronx residents demonstrated to us was that with access to the proper tools, resources and encouragement, our young people can succeed and reach their full potential, even surpassing the accomplishments or wealthier peers throughout the state. We do not doubt that our young people can succeed in their endeavors when given the proper access to resources, guidance and support. Unfortunately this is the obstacle that many of our youth face. That is why we have made it our mission to instill inspiration and empowerment in all of our programs - to close this gap and help young people take control of their future.
Contribute to our year-end campaign and help remove the obstacles our youth are facing by providing them with access to the resources and opportunities that match their current needs.
PRESS RELEASE
The online virtual event welcomes Griffin Matthews, Writer, Director, Activist and Actor as the Keynote Speaker. Matthews is the founder of UgandaProject, a nonprofit organization that sponsors the education of orphans living in Uganda. Matthews is a television actor appearing in 'Dear White People' and 'The Flight Attendant' on HBO Max.
The event will feature:
Build Your Own Road will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 11a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET via Zoom. The event is free and open to all teens, young adults, parents and educators. Please visit www.roadstosuccess.org/youth-leadership to register, or contact Kachina Respress-Pierce, Director of Education at kachina@roadstosuccess.org with any questions regarding the event including partnership and volunteer opportunities. About Roads to Success The mission of Roads to Success (RTS) is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. RTS aims on improving the financial position of young people who have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Program offerings include after-school programs, summer camp, leadership conferences, youth employment opportunities, college access and career development. www.roadstosuccess.org ### Contact: Davis Connelly Director of Development davis@roadstosuccess.org  On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Roads to Success welcomed over 150 youth to our virtual college and careers summit, Together We Rise. Volunteer panelists included current college students from institutions such as Hunter College, Pace University, SUNY New Paltz, as well as professionals from numerous industries including entertainment, business, healthcare, sports and more. Special guest speakers Alex Nieves, US Foreign Service Officer, and Latchmi Gopal, NY City Council candidate, introduced participants to their respective careers and their reasons for pursuing those pathways.
Attendees and speakers were divided into smaller groups where they could interact more intimately with each other and speakers may easily answer any questions from youth. Although college and career was on the agenda, the bigger talking point was how the speakers persevered through challenges, disappointments, and ongoing self discovery before achieving their own successes. The afternoon ultimately lead to inspiring and uplifting conversations full of encouragement and first-hand experience advice, and invaluable connections with members of their own community eager to help. Events such as Together We Rise provide an important resource that young people in our communities lack access to - networking. For many, their networks can be limited for any number of reasons. By providing these opportunities to connect them to role models and mentors from the community, it opens up a platform where they can ask direct questions, learn from different backgrounds and perspectives, and build relationships with those who are of mind and heart to help and who can lead to new opportunities. Many thanks to all of the young people and volunteers who attended and contributed to such a positive and inspiring afternoon of community and leadership. Our next event will be held on June 3rd for our annual Youth Leadership Summit. If you are interested in volunteering as a speaker and connecting with youth, or sponsoring an upcoming event, please contact Kachina Respress-Pierce, Director of Education at kachina@roadstosuccess.org. PRESS RELEASE
Keynote speaker Alexis Nieves, US Foreign Service Officer and special guest speaker Latchmi Gopal, City Council candidate for The Bronx (CD 15) will deliver addresses and answer questions from youth. The event will also feature:
Together We Rise will be held on Monday, January 18, 2021 from noon to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free and open to all teens, young adults, parents and educators. Sponsorship opportunities available and will support empowerment programming for youth in neighborhoods affected by poverty. Please visit www.roadstosuccess.org/youth-leadership to register, or contact Kachina Respress-Pierce, Director of Education at kachina@roadstosuccess.org with any questions regarding the event including partnership and volunteer opportunities. About Roads to Success The mission of Roads to Success (RTS) is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. Due to current events, RTS aims on improving the financial position of young people who have been most affected this year. Program offerings include after-school programs, summer camp, leadership conferences, youth employment opportunities, college access and career development. www.roadstosuccess.org ### Contact: Davis Connelly Director of Development (646) 205-7719 davis@roadstosuccess.org |
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All rights reserved. Roads to Success is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by he IRS. Tax ID Number: 11-3599459
Privacy Policy | Donor Privacy Policy | Webmaster | Contact Us
All rights reserved. Roads to Success is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by he IRS. Tax ID Number: 11-3599459