Roads to Success Advocates for “Supporting the Whole Child” at Legislative Conference

Roads to Success recently had the honor of participating in the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators annual caucus weekend in Albany.

The conference, themed "AI Renaissance: Navigating Our Future," hosted insightful discussions on supporting youth development and empowering communities.

RTS CEO Sheila Duke took part in the panel "Supporting the Whole Child," led by Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman.

Sheila highlighted RTS' commitment to fostering growth mindsets in youth from all backgrounds. She emphasized our belief that every student has the potential to flourish with the right support and encouragement.

"At RTS, we recognize that each child is so much more than just a student. By taking a holistic approach and nurturing their emotional, social, and academic well-being, we can empower youth to thrive," said Sheila.

She underscored the importance of comprehensive services for youth facing challenges like single-parent households, substance abuse issues, and low-income. RTS aims to nurture the whole child.

Additionally, Sheila discussed promoting responsible technology use while still providing youth a sense of belonging both online and in our programs.

The panel, alongside leaders like Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Rachel Sabella from No Kid Hungry, Dr. Meisha Porter from The Bronx Community Foundation, Noderea John from AD 58 Mental Health Taskforce, and Alethea Taylor from Hour Children, examined integrating technology, education, mental health, and food security.

RTS was honored to contribute to the discussion by sharing our perspective on empowering youth and equipping them with the tools to recognize their limitless potential. Events like this reaffirm our role in advocating for resources and policies to uplift young lives.

The insights gained will help strengthen our mission of fostering holistic development and opening doors of opportunity for youth in NYC.

We thank the conference organizers and panelists for an enriching discussion.

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