Why?

What is U-ROC Leadership™?

The U-ROC Leadership™ Ready to Work Program consists of a series of workshops, experiential learning opportunities, and paid internships. We believe skills learned are only as good as skills applied and one way we achieve that objective is by connecting our students with projects at area nonprofits. U-ROC Leadership™ focuses on developing the integrity, trust, motivation, persistence, problem-solving, leadership and communications skills necessary for opening the doors of opportunities and being successful in life.
After completing U-ROC Leadership™ 28 week Ready to Work program, which includes a paid internship, you will have a clear path to:
  1. Get and keep a sustainable-living wage job and/or establish a clear pathway to the education you need to pursue your career goals
  2. Possess confidence, emotional intelligence, and essential people and resilience skills to be able to handle life’s challenges
  3. Develop a strong foundation and a belief in who you are and what you can contribute to the world
  4. Know what a strong faith looks like and why it is important
  5. Establish life-long relationships
  6. Master effective leadership, people, resilience, presentation and teamwork skills to be successful in the 21st-century workplace
U-ROC Leadership™ stands for Riker Opportunity Center and the “U” is all about empowering you to discover your dreams and a way to make them a reality. At U-ROC, we believe every human being deserves the opportunity to be the leaders of their lives, achieve their dreams and live a quality life. We know from personal experience and from what research has shown us, that social, emotional, mental, spiritual, and relationship skills are what sustains you through life’s ups and downs.
We are always looking for students to engage in our groundbreaking U-ROC Leadership™ Ready to Work Program. This opportunity will allow participants to learn critically important life and leadership skills to set them up for success.

What will your students be doing at U-ROC Leadership™?

  1. Attending Professional Development Workshops Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  2. Doing Service-Learning Projects for Non-Profits on some Fridays.  See examples here.
  3. Working at an organization that is in alignment with an interest you have as your paid internship.
  4. Making life-long friends and meaningful connections.
  5. Visiting colleges and companies.
  6. Having Fun!

Participant Learning Outcomes:

Personal:​

  • Enhance confidence and emotional intelligence to build resilience and healthy relationships​
  • Develop a strong foundation and belief in who you are and how you can positively impact the world​
  • Enrich life skills, including financial and healthcare literacy, to sustain basic needs​
  • Expand understanding of the benefits of a strong character to create perseverance​

​Professional ​:

  • Identify career pathway and step-by-step plan to fulfill dreams and make a sustainable living​
  • Sharpen problem-solving skills to improve performance at school and work​
  • Improve communication, team building and leadership skills to add value to organizations and expedite career advancement​
  • Establish work experience to enhance future success​
  • Find a job or enroll in continuous education program upon the completion of U-ROC​

Who is this for?

YOU…If you are graduating from High School
YOU…If you have graduated and have no plans
YOU…If you have enrolled in College, and don’t feel ready to go
YOU…If you aren’t sure College is for you but you want to continually learn
YOU…If you are not sure of the best career for you
YOU…If you are in College and are not sure you made the best choice
YOU…If you have dreams and goals and are not sure how to achieve them

When will U-ROC Leadership™ run?

October to May including paid internships

Where will it take place?

In Philadelphia with access to public transportation and transportation assistance.

Application Process starts now to the end of September:

  1. Complete online application.
  2. Upon receipt of the application, we will reach out to have a conversation to make sure this program is a good fit for you.
  3. Once accepted into the program, we will remain in contact with you until the program starts.