Ethics
MISSION
The mission of the ROCK Center for Youth Development is to build hope and resilience in youth based on a foundation of acceptance, support, and respect that results in positive life choices.
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY
The ROCK Center for Youth Development staff, affiliated consultants, volunteers and board members act with honesty and openness as representatives of our organization and in their interactions with one another. The ROCK Center for Youth Development promotes a working environment that values respect, candor, and fairness, and does so within the context of the core values listed above.
GOVERNANCE
The ROCK Center for Youth Development board of directors operates in partnership with our Executive Director to set the strategic direction for the organization, as well as oversee finances, operations, and policies as set forth in the organization’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. The board regularly reviews the business plans, activity reports, financial statements, and policies of the organization to ensure alignment with its mission and goals, as well as compliance with nonprofit legal standards. Within the context of these responsibilities, the board seeks to demonstrate the principles of exceptional governance.
The ROCK Center for Youth Development operates under a number of key policies, including but not limited to the following: conflict of interest, investment and board-designated reserves, non-discrimination and anti-harassment, travel reimbursement, and whistleblower.
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
The ROCK Center for Youth Development and its professional advisors are knowledgeable of and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
The ROCK Center for Youth Development prudently manages its funds, whether they are contributed revenue, earned income, or investment income. The ROCK strives to spend a majority of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission and while minimizing administrative expenses without adversely affecting accounting systems, internal controls, fundraising, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management and organizational sustainability. The ROCK Center for Youth Development does not accumulate excessive operating funds and maintains a responsible level of reserves to enable our organization to respond to philanthropic trends and opportunities to better serve our clients.
OPENNESS AND DISCLOSURE
The ROCK Center for Youth Development provides comprehensive, timely information to the public, media, donors, and other stakeholders, and is responsive to all reasonable requests for information. All public information about our organization fully and honestly reflects its policies and practices. Essential financial information about The ROCK Center for Youth Development, such as the Form 990 and audited financial statements are available at The ROCK immediately upon request.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
The ROCK Center for Youth Development regularly reviews program effectiveness and employs mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs and business planning processes. The ROCK is committed to improving its effectiveness for the benefit of our clients, and the community overall, and has developed a comprehensive system for evaluating our work within the context of our theory of change and strategic plan.
INCLUSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY
The ROCK Center for Youth Development maintains a spirit and practice of inclusiveness, and seeks staff, board members, volunteers and affiliated consultants who enrich our programmatic effectiveness through a diversity of experience, skills, cultures, and backgrounds. Our organization has a policy of equal opportunity for our staff and board, and does not discriminate in hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment, partnerships, and population served.
FUNDRAISING
The ROCK Center for Youth Development is truthful and forthright in its fundraising communications, respects the privacy rights of donors, and expends funds in a manner consistent with donor intent. Our organization appropriately acknowledges and recognizes donors for contributions received, and all solicitation materials accurately represent The ROCK’s mission, objectives, and activities, as do related financial, organizational, and program reports.
Core Values
The ROCK Center for Youth Development, in carrying out its mission, and interacting with its youth, volunteers, and staff, embraces the following values:
LEADERSHIP
The ROCK Center for Youth Development champions the importance of effective board leadership and action. It empowers boards with the knowledge of good governance practices. It encourages staff initiative and leadership, and strives to be a model nonprofit organization.
INTEGRITY
The ROCK Center for Youth Development adheres to high ethical and professional standards in its work and relationships. It is fair and respectful in its interactions and conscientiously steward the resources entrusted to us.
EXCELLENCE
The ROCK Center for Youth Development strives to deliver high-quality programs and services. The ROCK grounds its work and decisions in insights gained from experience, knowledge and data. It promotes teamwork and diversity of thought to leverage knowledge and skills to continually improve its products and services for the benefit of the community and community teens.
IMPACT
The ROCK Center for Youth Development is committed to generating positive change and approach problems in a practical, creative, and flexible manner. The ROCK listens and understands the nature and needs of our clients and creates tailored solutions. It uses a collaborative approach with clients, partners, and donors to advance the cause for youth and expand its reach.
DIVERSITY
The ROCK Center for Youth Development seeks diversity in all areas including race, religion, and gender. The ROCK values the gain that comes from including and embracing ideas and diverse people.
DIGNITY
The ROCK Center for Youth Development is committed to developing dignity and self-respect in the individuals we serve, to our staff and volunteers and to all we come in contact with. The ROCK appreciates the worth of each individual and intends to provide an environment that allows the dignity of all to flourish.
Are you part of the Greater Midland Community Center (GMCC)?
The ROCK Center for Youth Development is its own entity, though GMCC is a valued partner organization. Our offices, as well as The ROCK Underground, are located inside GMCC.
Are you a faith-based organization?
We are not affiliated with any religion nor are we faith-based. We do believe in the importance of ethics and core values, which you can learn more about below.
Is The ROCK only for at-risk teens?
No, The ROCK is for all teens! Our programs are shown to be effective with most middle and high school students.
Is The ROCK Grounded program a daycare?
We are a ‘Center for Youth Development’, which means that we offer quality, result-driven programming. Our after-school program is not a daycare, but a full-service experience. We offer snacks, tutors, games and sports, and highly-trained and interactive staff, making us the premier opportunity for teens.
What sort of qualifications does your after-school staff have?
Our staff members are trained extensively. On top of traditional training such as CPR and First Aid, our staff participates in an ongoing training program. They learn about topics such as conflict resolution, valuing diversity, understanding mental health, and more. With all of that our staff also brings the fun! To read more about our staff qualifications, please click here.
How much do The ROCK programs cost?
The ROCK after-school programs is provided at no charge, though families are encouraged to make donations to the best of their ability. Quality after-school programs are costly and we need family support to continue to provide this critical service.
What kind of data do you have to back up your programs?
We partner with the Legacy Center in examining the effectiveness of our programs. Through those surveys, we have been able to demonstrate Discover You and Grounded’s effectiveness to a statistically significant degree. We also run in-house surveys in order to capture ideas from parents, students, staff, and the community, allowing us to further grow.
2001
- The ROCK Center for Youth Development was established in Midland as the independent, grass-roots 501(c)3, Reaching Our Community Kids.
- The ROCK’s target audience was originally and continues to be 6th through 12th grade students. Programs were provided at thephysical location of 2300 E. Gordonville Rd.
- Bullock Creek schools bused students to The ROCK after school.
- This program eventually become known as ROCK Grounded and provided after school and Friday and Saturday night activities.
2006
- ROCK Unplugged was established to provide quality, community wide events.
2008
- The new 24’ mobile ROCK Climbing Wall arrived.
2009
- The ROCK became property owners when gifted the building.
2010
- The inaugural ROCK Exposure class was held with 12 students on-site at The ROCK.
2011
- Meridian High School chose ROCK Exposure to impact students in summer school.
- Meridian impacted 9th grade students with ROCK Exposure.
- Coleman added ROCK Exposure to 8th grade class.
2012
- Coleman picked ROCK Exposure to impact students in summer school.
- Bullock Creek High School welcomed ROCK Exposure.
2013
- The ROCK becomes known as The ROCK Center for Youth Development.
- Bullock Creek Middle School starts ROCK Exposure.
- Midland High School offers ROCK Exposure.
- Dow High School offers ROCK Exposure.
- Northeast and Jefferson Middle schools welcome ROCK Grounded and Exposure in as their after school program.
2014
- Midland Public Schools approves ROCK Exposure as curriculum and it is provided in the classroom to all 9th grade students.
- The ROCK relocates staff offices to the Greater Midland Community Center and begins providing after school programs at GMCC.
2017
- The ROCK begins offering its Positive Alternatives to School Suspension program.
2018
- The ROCK re-brands “Exposure” as “Discover You”.
- The ROCK expands fully into Saginaw and Bay counties with Discover You.
- The ROCK begins pilot programming in Isabella County.
2020
- The ROCK begins work to market Discover You on a national scale.
2022
- The ROCK opens its fourth afterschool site at Meridian Junior High School.
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