Welcome to CatRock News
CatRock community is more important than ever. Despite the pandemic’s impact, we’ve been busy building and strengthening CatRock programming in order to better serve our community and make a bigger impact.
CATCHING UP
Leading Change with the Support of the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation
“Giving back to the Earth and knowing that in 10 years that area we planted will be like a forest, and restores the ecosystem, gives me a lot of excitement,” says Karla E., a CatRock alumni and now first year college student at Vassar College. Thanks to the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, CatRock is able to engage NYC youth in environmental stewardship and conservation projects that help them explore their interest in caring for the environment.
$25,000 Award Supports Environmental Justice in Under-resourced Communities
The John T. and Jane A. Widerhold Foundation awarded $25,000 to Catrock to strengthen and build out the environmental education and advocacy component of the CatRock Youth Leadership Academy. The foundation awards grants to quality educational programming designed to help preserve and protect the environment through engagement with children and adults.
Inspiring Youth by Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Mike Harris
This summer CatRock students hiked to the Cat Rock overlook on the Appalachian Trail where they learned about Dr. Mike Harris, co-founder of the Cat Rock Gang and inspiration for CatRock Ventures. Dr. Mike Harris was a psychologist and social activist who used adventure-based challenges to help kids in NYC who had been adversely impacted by gang violence realize their inner strengths and full potential.
Many Miles Ahead Summer Fundraiser: Empowering Bronx Youth to Climb Higher and Go Further
Members of the CatRock community are helping inspire Bronx youth by biking over 500 miles up and over mountains and throughout New York City. The adventures start in Colorado with two former New Yorkers and CatRock supporters riding 110 miles over 3 mountain passes including Juniper Pass, Loveland Pass, and Vail pass.
$30,000 Award Supports CatRock Youth Caring for Bronx Parks and Green Spaces
NYC Green and Relief & Recovery Fund awarded $30,000 to CatRock to strengthen programming that engages our students, alumni, and community members in environmental stewardship projects. This is the second year CatRock was awarded a grant from the Fund which was created by a growing coalition of national, family, and community foundations supporting nonprofit organizations that care for New York City’s parks and open spaces.
Pandemic Inspired CatRock Students to Become Social Entrepreneurs
The year 2020 is not one many will soon forget. A global pandemic stopped life around the globe. In one corner of the Bronx, CatRock students grew tired of seeing disposable PPE littering the streets and parks of their Bronx neighborhoods. They decided to create reusable masks as an environmentally friendly way to promote healthy communities and a clean environment.
Double Your Impact 2020: Special Thanks to Our Supporters
At CatRock, we are committed to providing youth with transformative experiences that enable them to build a personal connection to the outdoors, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and a dedication to making a difference in their own communities. Our donors’ support is critical to ensuring that CatRock is able to bring our mission to life. Through the generosity of our board members, we were able to launch the the Double Your Impact Fall Fundraiser last October that matched every donation up to $50,000. We are thrilled to report that we raised $150,000!
CatRock Students Practice Environmental Stewardship: Caring for Bronx Parks and Green Spaces
CatRock’s transformative outdoor experiences include community service projects that enable the students to practice environmental stewardship while fostering their development as socially responsible leaders. During the pandemic, CatRock youth have focused on improving their local Bronx community through park and garden stewardship projects that could be completed following safety protocols like wearing masks and social distancing.
CatRock Launches Adventure Store: A Youth-Led Advocacy Project
CatRock is proud to launch the online CatRock Adventure Store featuring an exciting range of handmade-in-the Bronx masks as an environmentally friendly way to stay safe during the pandemic. Every purchase helps support our efforts to donate masks and raise awareness of the harmful environmental effects of PPE litter.
CatRock Students Venture into Mask Making
CatRock students are provided with learning and growth opportunities that help them acquire life-long skills and empower them to become socially responsible change makers. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired the CatRock teens to make environmentally friendly masks for their families and friends after seeing so many disposable masks littering the streets and parks of the Bronx.
CatRock Ventures and Discover Outdoors Foundation Join Forces to Increase Positive Community Impact
For years, CatRock Ventures and Discover Outdoors Foundation have each promoted diversity and equity in America’s outdoor spaces with inspired programs specifically designed for New York City’s undeserved youth in communities of color. Now these two nonprofits have come together to provide economically disadvantaged middle and high school students with a comprehensive range of outdoor adventure, community service, and educational programs that teach leadership skills, environmental stewardship, and self-confidence. The goal? Empowering even more young people to become engaged outdoor and community leaders.
Reaching New Heights with Young Women Who Crush
New York City high school girls are transformed into powerful and strong rock climbers and community leaders as they scale cliffs the size of city buildings, experience the outdoors in meaningful ways, find community, and develop confidence and independence. Just three years ago, Alexis Krauss, an avid rock climber, outdoor guide, musician, and educator who loves working with youth, had a vision for bringing diversity and mentorship to the rock climbing world.
CatRock Rallies Through COVID with Inspired Virtual Programming
CatRock met the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic with the CatRock Virtual Leadership Program – a series of creative online workshops – that nurtured, supported, and inspired our students as they managed the lockdown and remote learning from April to June. Learn how this virtual program strengthened the CatRock community and helped lift everyone up.
COMING UP
We are launching Many Miles Ahead, a 3 part biking fundraiser to raise money for our programs. Join us this summer in going the distance for underserved Bronx youth. Members of the CatRock community are biking over 500 miles up and over mountains and throughout New York City to raise money to support the personal growth and development of students. Click here to donate today. Thank you for your support and generosity!
Support NYC Youth
CATROCK PROFILE SPOTLIGHT
Sakib H.
Meet Sakib, a former CatRock student and graduate of The CatRock Youth Leadership Academy, who now leads our trips and trainings. Discover how CatRock helped Sakib find his voice through his journey of becoming a leader in his personal CatRock Story of Impact. Continue reading
