Dakota J. Holley will always remain an important part of the foundation and spirit of ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE). During his time with the organization, Dakota served as a Youth Support Specialist and is oe of RYCE's Honorary Executive Directors, contributing significantly to the development of youth-centered programming, mentorship initiatives, and community engagement efforts that continue to shape RYCE today.

Dakota was known for his natural ability to connect with young people in ways that felt genuine, supportive, and empowering. He believed deeply in the potential of youth and worked tirelessly to create environments where young people could feel seen, heard, and encouraged to grow into the best versions of themselves. His dedication to mentorship, education, and youth empowerment helped influence many of the programs that remain central to RYCE’s mission.

One of Dakota’s most impactful contributions to RYCE was his leadership in creating and developing the organization’s Youth Gaming and Digital Engagement Program. Understanding the powerful role technology and gaming play in the lives of many young people, Dakota recognized that gaming could serve as more than entertainment—it could become a tool for connection, mentorship, and learning.

Through the gaming program, Dakota helped create spaces where youth could:

• build friendships and positive peer relationships
   
• develop teamwork and communication skills
   
• engage in structured and supervised digital activities
   
• explore technology and digital creativity
   
• participate in mentorship conversations within environments familiar to them
   

His approach helped bridge generational gaps between mentors and youth while creating inclusive spaces where young people could connect with supportive adults in meaningful ways.

Dakota also served as an education specialist, helping support youth development initiatives and community education efforts. His work often focused on providing young people with information that encouraged responsible decision-making, critical thinking, and awareness about real-world challenges and opportunities.

In addition, Dakota was involved in New York State cannabis education initiatives, helping support responsible community discussions surrounding cannabis legalization, regulation, and workforce opportunities within the emerging legal industry. His work emphasized the importance of informed decision-making and responsible community awareness.

Dakota was proud to be a U.S. Army JROTC alumnus, an experience that helped shape his leadership philosophy and commitment to service. Through JROTC, he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork, and leadership—qualities he carried forward into his work with youth and community programs.

These leadership values influenced the way Dakota mentored young people. He believed that mentorship should combine encouragement with accountability, helping youth understand both their responsibilities and their potential.

His mentorship emphasized:

• leadership development
   
• teamwork and collaboration
   
• personal accountability
   
• confidence building
   
• goal setting and perseverance
   

Dakota had a natural ability to motivate youth while also helping them recognize their strengths and abilities.

Although Dakota is no longer physically with us, his contributions and spirit continue to influence the work of ROC Youth Community Engagement. His dedication to youth empowerment, digital engagement, and mentorship helped lay important groundwork for programs that continue to support young people today.

Dakota’s passion for helping youth feel included, supported, and inspired remains a lasting part of RYCE’s culture and mission. The impact he made on the lives of the young people he mentored, the colleagues he worked alongside, and the programs he helped shape will not be forgotten.

In recognition of his dedication and contributions, Dakota continues to be honored as Honorary Executive Director, a reflection of the lasting role he played in helping build the foundation of RYCE’s youth-focused work.

His memory serves as a reminder of the power of mentorship, compassion, and community.

Cory Sullivan is a dynamic youth development leader, educator, strategist, and trainer whose career has been defined by one consistent purpose: helping organizations maximize their impact in the lives of young people. With more than 12 years of experience spanning education, local government, nonprofit leadership, workforce training, curriculum development, and systems-level youth engagement, Cory brings a rare blend of vision, structure, and heart to every space he enters.

Cory is the kind of leader who understands that real change for youth does not happen by accident. It requires intention, strategic planning, strong relationships, culturally responsive practice, and the willingness to build systems that do more than serve young people on paper. His work has consistently focused on helping schools, agencies, and community-based organizations move beyond good intentions and into meaningful, measurable impact.

At the core of Cory’s leadership is a deep belief in positive youth development, strength-based engagement, and the transformative power of authentic adult-youth relationships. He has spent his career equipping professionals and organizations with the tools to better understand youth, center youth voice, build stronger programs, and create environments where young people can truly thrive.

Cory’s academic foundation reflects both his passion for education and his commitment to organizational leadership and community impact.

He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the State University of New York Empire State College. His graduate coursework included:

• Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit Organizations
   
• Principles of Community and Economic Development
   
• Leading in a Learning Environment
   

This academic preparation strengthened Cory’s ability to think systemically, lead organizational growth, and design youth-focused strategies that are both practical and sustainable.

He also earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Teacher Education from the State University of New York Cortland, grounding his early career in teaching, curriculum design, and student-centered instruction.

Together, these educational experiences helped shape Cory into a professional who can move comfortably between the classroom, the boardroom, community spaces, and cross-sector leadership environments.

Over the course of his career, Cory has built an impressive record of leadership across multiple youth-serving sectors.

Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York (CHHUNY)
June 2021 – Present
Rochester, New York

In his role as Program Manager, Cory helps guide initiatives that strengthen systems of care and improve outcomes for youth and families. His work supports broader organizational effectiveness, workforce development, and strategic program implementation in ways that help agencies better serve children with complex needs.

Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York (CHHUNY)
November 2019 – Present
Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

As Training Coordinator, Cory provides training, consultation, and coaching to support agency, program, and systems transformation—particularly in ways that strengthen Care Management Practice. He delivers trainings on Health Home care management and NetSmart CareManager across the CHHUNY care management agency network, while also developing both live and online curriculum to meet workforce needs in an evolving healthcare landscape.

His responsibilities include:

• Designing and delivering workforce training content
   
• Developing practical implementation tools and learning resources
   
• Managing CHHUNY’s learning management system
   
• Supporting network providers through consultation and coaching
   
• Facilitating webinars, conference calls, and remote training sessions
   
• Creating and analyzing evaluation tools to improve training effectiveness
   
• Maintaining strong relationships with supervisors, front-line staff, agency leaders, and Champion Trainers
   
• Integrating current literature, best practices, and field trends into all training and consultation efforts
   

This role reflects Cory’s gift for taking complex systems and translating them into clear, usable, and actionable practices for professionals across diverse settings.

Monroe County
June 2017 – November 2019

As Monroe County’s Youth Engagement Director, Cory oversaw and coordinated multiple projects aimed at improving youth outcomes across the county. This role placed him at the intersection of public systems, community partnerships, and youth voice.

In this leadership position, Cory:

• Developed networks of community resources for youth involved in youth-serving systems
   
• Created program goals and outcome measures for youth councils
   
• Built capacity for authentic youth voice in county systems
   
• Facilitated workshops and trainings for youth workers
   
• Provided consultation to youth-centered teams across agencies
   
• Offered guidance around evidence-based youth engagement strategies
   
• Coordinated and advised on grants and funding opportunities for youth programs
   

His training topics included:

• Youth Mental Health First Aid
   
• 40 Developmental Assets
   
• Strength-based engagement strategies
   
• Promoting youth voice and connectivity
   
• Trauma and resiliency
   

This role showcased Cory’s ability to operate both as a strategist and a convener—bringing together systems, staff, and stakeholders to improve how communities show up for young people.

Partnerships to Uplift Communities, Inc. / PUC Achieve Charter School
March 2016 – June 2017
Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

As a World History teacher, Cory developed classroom curriculum and instructional plans, supported students not meeting standards through targeted remediation planning, and built strong relationships with parents and community members. His work in education reflects a commitment not only to academic excellence, but to relationship-building and student growth.

nZone
June 2015 – March 2017
Chantilly, Virginia

As Youth Director, Cory supervised programming and curriculum for students in grades 6 through 12. He created and implemented strategic growth plans, supervised interns and volunteers, and trained teams in best practices for youth engagement and development.

His work also included:

• Building collaborative relationships with community agencies
   
• Developing corrective action plans to strengthen programs
   
• Designing and implementing youth development programs
   
• Partnering with Fairfax County Juvenile Corrections
   

This work highlighted Cory’s deep capacity for youth engagement in both preventive and justice-connected settings, always with an emphasis on growth, accountability, and possibility.

Prince William County Public Schools
August 2011 – June 2015
Prince William County, Virginia

In this role, Cory developed curriculum and instructional plans for more than 250 eighth-grade students, helping shape young minds through civic education, critical thinking, and student engagement. He also served as Head Football Coach, a role that further demonstrated his commitment to mentorship, discipline, teamwork, and youth leadership outside the classroom.

Cory’s skill set is broad, but deeply integrated. What makes his work so effective is not just the number of competencies he brings, but the way he connects them to advance youth outcomes, organizational growth, and community impact.

His areas of expertise include:

• Strategic Planning
   
• Community Engagement
   
• Positive Youth Development
   
• Youth Mentoring
   
• Youth Leadership
   
• Creative Problem Solving
   
• Coaching
   
• Public Speaking
   
• Strategic Communications
   
• Teaching and Instruction
   
• Leadership and Supervision
   
• Curriculum Development
   
• Community Outreach
   
• Program Development
   
• Nonprofit Program Development
   
• Education Program Development
   
• Strategic Program Development
   
• Staff Development
   
• Volunteer Recruiting, Training, and Management
   
• Budget Management
   
• SWOT Analysis
   
• Interpersonal Communication and Leadership
   
• Training & Development
   
• Research and Data Collection
   
• Communication Strategy Design
   
• Workshop Facilitation
   

These strengths allow Cory to support not only young people directly, but also the adults, teams, and systems responsible for shaping their environments.

Cory is known as an enthusiastic, thoughtful, and highly relational leader. He brings a grounded professionalism to his work while still remaining deeply people-centered. He understands how to inspire teams, challenge organizations to grow, and support professionals in building stronger relationships with youth.

One of Cory’s greatest strengths is his ability to move fluidly between big-picture strategy and day-to-day implementation. He can help design a vision, build the framework to support it, train the people responsible for carrying it out, and then evaluate whether the work is actually making a difference.

That kind of leadership is rare.

He is not simply a trainer or manager. He is a capacity builder, a systems thinker, and a youth-centered strategist who helps organizations become more intentional, more responsive, and more effective in the way they serve young people.

His experience training adults in positive relationship-building, strength-based practice, and program impact measurement makes him especially valuable in spaces seeking to improve both culture and outcomes. Whether he is coaching staff, developing curriculum, leading workshops, building partnerships, or supporting system transformation, Cory consistently brings clarity, substance, and purpose to the work.

Cory Sullivan’s value is not only in what he knows, but in how he leads.

He understands that youth-serving work must be relational, strategic, measurable, and rooted in dignity. He knows how to engage professionals across sectors, how to build partnerships that last, and how to develop programs that are both meaningful and sustainable. His background across education, county government, nonprofit leadership, and health-home systems gives him a uniquely comprehensive understanding of the challenges young people face—and the kinds of systems required to truly support them.

In every role, Cory has remained focused on one essential question:

How do we create environments where young people are not just served, but genuinely seen, valued, and developed?

That question continues to shape his leadership, his partnerships, and his impact.

Cory Sullivan is a seasoned youth development professional and strategic leader whose work has touched classrooms, communities, agencies, county systems, and nonprofit organizations. With a strong educational foundation, over a decade of leadership experience, and deep expertise in training, engagement, curriculum, and youth-centered strategy, Cory continues to be a force for growth and transformation in the lives of youth and the systems designed to support them.

His work reflects excellence, vision, and an unwavering belief in the potential of young people.

Amaree Jackson serves as the Executive Director and Senior Youth Support Specialist at ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE), where he plays a critical leadership role in guiding youth programming, mentoring staff, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting young people as they navigate educational, social, and personal challenges. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Amaree also serves as Athletic Coordinator for Football, using sports as a powerful tool for mentorship, discipline, leadership development, and positive youth engagement.

Amaree is widely respected for his commitment to youth empowerment, restorative justice practices, and culturally responsive mentorship. His work focuses on creating environments where young people—particularly those from historically underserved communities—can develop confidence, accountability, and a strong sense of purpose.

With a deep dedication to equity, inclusion, and community-centered leadership, Amaree actively supports youth from diverse backgrounds and identities. As a BIPOC community advocate and LGBTQ+ ally, he is committed to ensuring that every young person feels respected, supported, and safe while navigating school systems, social environments, and personal growth.

Amaree’s work centers on helping young people understand their potential while equipping them with the tools necessary to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. He believes that youth development requires more than discipline or structure—it requires guidance, consistency, accountability, and genuine care.

Through his work with RYCE, Amaree helps young people develop:

• leadership skills
   
• emotional intelligence
   
• accountability and decision-making abilities
   
• positive peer relationships
   
• academic motivation and school engagement
   
• healthy outlets for stress and conflict
   

His approach combines mentorship, restorative dialogue, and structured youth development strategies, helping young people learn how to resolve conflict, rebuild trust, and grow from challenges rather than being defined by them.

Amaree is recognized as a school restorative practice specialist, with extensive experience supporting schools and youth programs in implementing restorative approaches to discipline and conflict resolution.

Restorative practices focus on repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, and encouraging accountability rather than relying solely on punitive disciplinary systems. Amaree works with youth to help them understand the impact of their actions, communicate effectively, and develop healthier ways to resolve conflict.

His restorative work often includes:

• restorative circles and dialogue facilitation
   
• conflict mediation between students
   
• accountability coaching
   
• behavioral reflection and growth planning
   
• school re-engagement strategies
   
• mentorship for youth facing disciplinary challenges
   

Through these methods, Amaree helps schools and youth programs create environments where students feel heard, respected, and capable of growth.

As Athletic Coordinator for Football, Amaree integrates athletics into youth development as a powerful platform for mentorship and character building. He believes that sports can serve as a structured pathway for youth to develop resilience, teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

His athletic leadership emphasizes:

• teamwork and accountability
   
• physical health and wellness
   
• respect for peers and coaches
   
• leadership development through sports
   
• goal setting and perseverance
   

For many youth, athletics provide a constructive outlet for energy and emotion while also offering opportunities to build strong relationships with mentors and peers. Amaree works intentionally to ensure that athletics remain connected to personal growth, academic success, and positive life choices.

As Executive Director, Amaree supports the strategic direction and daily operations of RYCE programs while working alongside leadership to strengthen community partnerships and expand youth opportunities across the Greater Rochester region.

His leadership responsibilities include:

• supporting youth mentorship and engagement initiatives
   
• supervising youth support staff and program implementation
   
• strengthening relationships with schools and community partners
   
• assisting with program development and youth outreach
   
• supporting restorative practice initiatives within youth programs
   
• coordinating athletics-based mentorship opportunities
   

Through his work, Amaree helps ensure that RYCE programs remain accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the real challenges young people face in their daily lives.

Amaree’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to social equity and inclusive youth support systems. He understands the unique barriers that many young people face due to systemic inequality, community violence, educational disparities, and limited access to supportive resources.

As a BIPOC advocate and LGBTQ+ ally, Amaree works to ensure that youth programming actively respects and supports diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences. His leadership helps foster environments where young people feel safe expressing themselves, asking for help, and building confidence in who they are.

He believes that when youth feel respected and understood, they are far more likely to engage positively with mentors, schools, and their communities.

Amaree’s work supports several key areas of youth development and community engagement, including:

• restorative justice and school discipline reform
   
• youth mentorship and leadership development
   
• athletic mentorship and youth sports engagement
   
• conflict mediation and restorative dialogue
   
• behavioral accountability coaching
   
• youth empowerment and self-confidence development
   
• culturally responsive youth engagement
   
• community partnership development
   
• equity-focused youth programming
   

Through his leadership, mentorship, and restorative approach to youth engagement, Amaree plays a vital role in helping ROC Youth Community Engagement continue its mission of advocacy, empowerment, and community connection.

His work helps ensure that youth programs are not only structured and supportive, but also equitable, inclusive, and grounded in real-world understanding of the challenges young people face today.

Amaree continues to help shape environments where young people are encouraged to grow, learn from mistakes, build resilience, and develop the confidence necessary to pursue brighter futures.

Joshua Goodwin serves as Program Manager and Senior Leader of the Youth Mentoring Team at ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE), where he plays a central role in coordinating youth mentorship programs, supporting staff development, and helping guide the organization’s youth engagement initiatives. As a member of the RYCE Executive Team, Joshua contributes to organizational leadership, program planning, and strategic development to ensure that youth programming remains impactful, structured, and aligned with the mission of empowering young people and families across the Greater Rochester region.

Joshua is widely respected for his ability to build strong relationships with youth while maintaining high expectations for accountability, personal growth, and leadership. His work focuses on helping young people develop confidence, discipline, and resilience while equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate school environments, community challenges, and life transitions successfully.

In addition to his program leadership responsibilities, Joshua serves as Athletic Coordinator for both Basketball and Football, as well as Workout Coordinator for youth fitness and conditioning programs, using athletics and physical wellness as powerful platforms for mentorship, leadership development, and positive youth engagement.

As Program Manager, Joshua oversees and supports the implementation of youth mentorship programming across RYCE initiatives. He works closely with the organization’s leadership team and youth support staff to ensure that mentoring programs remain structured, supportive, and responsive to the needs of the youth and families served by the organization.

His responsibilities include coordinating mentorship initiatives, guiding youth support specialists, monitoring program progress, and helping ensure that services are delivered with consistency, professionalism, and compassion. Joshua plays an important role in helping RYCE maintain a supportive environment where young people can build trust with mentors while receiving guidance that promotes personal responsibility and growth.

Through his leadership, Joshua helps strengthen the mentorship culture within RYCE, ensuring that youth have access to positive role models who understand their challenges and are committed to helping them succeed.

Joshua is also recognized as a school restorative practices expert, supporting youth who may be experiencing disciplinary challenges, academic struggles, or conflicts within school environments. His work focuses on helping youth understand the consequences of their actions while providing constructive pathways for repairing relationships and rebuilding trust within school communities.

Restorative practices emphasize communication, accountability, and relationship-building rather than punitive disciplinary approaches. Joshua works directly with youth to help them reflect on their choices, understand the impact of their actions, and develop healthier ways of resolving conflict.

His restorative practice work often includes:

• restorative dialogue and mediation
   
• behavioral reflection and accountability coaching
   
• school re-engagement support
   
• conflict resolution strategies
   
• mentorship for students facing disciplinary challenges
   
• guidance on communication and decision-making
   

By focusing on growth rather than punishment, Joshua helps youth develop the emotional awareness and communication skills necessary for long-term success.

Joshua believes strongly in the role athletics and physical fitness play in youth development. As Athletic Coordinator for Basketball and Football, he uses sports programming to help young people develop teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership.

Athletics provide youth with structured opportunities to build confidence, set goals, and develop healthy habits while forming positive relationships with mentors and peers. Joshua works intentionally to ensure that athletics within RYCE programs emphasize both physical performance and personal growth.

His athletic mentorship programs focus on:

• teamwork and collaboration
   
• discipline and accountability
   
• leadership development
   
• physical health and fitness
   
• resilience and perseverance
   
• goal-setting and personal motivation
   

In addition to athletics coordination, Joshua also serves as Workout Coordinator, helping youth develop healthy fitness routines that promote physical wellness, mental clarity, and self-discipline.

Joshua approaches youth mentorship with a philosophy centered on structure, accountability, and encouragement. He believes that young people thrive when they are given clear expectations alongside consistent guidance and positive support.

His mentorship style emphasizes:

• relationship-centered engagement
   
• discipline balanced with empathy
   
• consistent mentorship and accountability
   
• encouragement of leadership potential
   
• healthy physical and mental development
   

Joshua is known for his ability to connect with youth who may initially struggle with authority or structure. Through patience, mentorship, and leadership, he helps young people build confidence in themselves while learning how to take ownership of their choices and future paths.

Joshua contributes to several key areas of youth development within ROC Youth Community Engagement, including:

• youth mentorship program coordination
   
• restorative practices in school environments
   
• youth leadership development
   
• athletic mentorship and sports programming
   
• basketball and football program coordination
   
• youth fitness and workout program development
   
• conflict resolution and accountability coaching
   
• youth engagement and mentorship strategy
   

Through his leadership, mentorship, and athletic programming, Joshua plays an important role in helping RYCE create environments where young people feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow. His ability to combine mentorship, restorative practices, and structured youth development helps ensure that programs remain both impactful and sustainable.

Joshua’s work reflects the values at the heart of ROC Youth Community Engagement: empowerment, accountability, resilience, and community connection.

By helping young people build discipline, confidence, and leadership skills, he continues to contribute to RYCE’s mission of supporting youth in developing brighter and more stable futures.

Theresa Amadi is a licensed and board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with more than 11 years of clinical experience providing compassionate and evidence-based mental health care. Since beginning her practice in 2014, Theresa has helped individuals navigate a wide range of mental health challenges by combining thoughtful listening, comprehensive assessment, and personalized treatment planning.

Theresa is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered in their care. Her approach focuses on understanding each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals while working together to develop effective strategies for improving mental health and overall quality of life.

She works with individuals experiencing a variety of concerns including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar and other mood disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Insomnia and sleep difficulties
• Emotional stress and adjustment challenges

Through a combination of psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy, Theresa helps clients better understand their symptoms and develop effective tools for managing them.

Theresa prioritizes creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for every client. During the first appointment, clients can expect:

• A warm introduction and supportive conversation
• A discussion of confidentiality and privacy
• A comprehensive review of mental health history and current concerns
• The beginning of a collaborative therapeutic relationship

This first meeting allows Theresa to gain a deeper understanding of each client’s needs while developing an initial treatment plan tailored to their goals and circumstances.

Theresa’s clinical approach combines evidence-based psychiatric care with psychoeducation, helping clients better understand their mental health and treatment options. She provides medication management when appropriate while also focusing on education and practical strategies that support long-term wellness.

Her treatment philosophy centers on:

• Evidence-based clinical practice
• Collaborative treatment planning
• Compassionate and culturally responsive care
• Empowering clients with knowledge and coping strategies

This balanced approach helps clients improve daily functioning, emotional stability, and overall well-being.

Theresa brings several important strengths into her work with clients:

• Strong empathy and understanding
• Excellent active listening and communication skills
• Expertise in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
• Deep knowledge of mental health conditions and treatment modalities
• Commitment to evidence-based mental health care

Her goal is always to ensure that clients feel supported, respected, and actively involved in their care.

Theresa is particularly well positioned to support:

• Adults experiencing depression or mood disorders
• Individuals managing anxiety and stress-related conditions
• Trauma survivors
• Older adults seeking mental health support
• Clients from diverse cultural backgrounds

Theresa currently provides virtual psychiatric services, allowing clients to access professional mental health care from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

Her treatment services include:

• Psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management
• Psychotherapy
• Psychoeducation

Theresa is known for being thorough, professional, and approachable. Clients frequently highlight her ability to listen attentively and ask thoughtful questions that help them feel understood.

One client shared:

"Theresa was very thorough. She asked many questions to get a comprehensive background of my overall health and a synopsis of my current situation. She was professional yet warm and approachable. I felt very comfortable speaking with her."

Theresa maintains an average 4.3-star rating from verified client reviews, reflecting her commitment to providing respectful, patient-focused care.

 Charlie “Ace” Lowe serves as a Senior Youth Support Specialist at ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE), where he supports youth mentorship initiatives, skill development programming, and logistical coordination for youth activities and travel. Known for his practical expertise and steady leadership presence, Ace plays a key role in helping young people develop real-world skills, discipline, and confidence through hands-on learning and structured mentorship.

Ace brings a diverse professional background that combines technical trades knowledge, contracting experience, workforce mentorship, and youth engagement. His work emphasizes exposing young people to practical career pathways, particularly in the skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries. Through his mentorship, youth gain valuable insight into opportunities that exist beyond traditional academic paths while learning the importance of responsibility, planning, and long-term decision-making.

Ace believes that one of the most powerful ways to empower young people is by helping them understand how real-world industries operate. His background as an electrical and contracting professional allows him to introduce youth to practical career skills while reinforcing the value of hard work, accountability, and craftsmanship.

Through hands-on guidance and mentorship, Ace helps youth develop:

• problem-solving skills
   
• mechanical and technical awareness
   
• confidence in skilled trades careers
   
• financial and entrepreneurial awareness
   
• workplace professionalism
   
• discipline and work ethic
   

His mentorship helps many youth recognize that successful futures can take many different paths, including careers in trades, technical industries, and entrepreneurship.

Ace also serves as a New York State cannabis education advocate, helping provide responsible and informed education about the evolving cannabis industry in New York. As legalization continues to reshape business, agriculture, and regulatory systems, Ace helps young people and community members understand the economic and professional opportunities emerging within the industry.

His work focuses on:

• cannabis industry education and workforce awareness
   
• responsible community education surrounding legalization
   
• business and entrepreneurship opportunities in emerging markets
   
• regulatory awareness and safe practices
   

By helping youth and families understand the realities of the industry, Ace contributes to responsible community education while also highlighting legitimate workforce opportunities that exist within regulated markets.

In addition to his mentorship and technical expertise, Ace serves as RYCE’s Travel Coordinator, helping organize safe, structured travel opportunities for youth programs, educational events, and community initiatives.

His role includes coordinating:

• transportation logistics
   
• travel safety planning
   
• youth program trips and outings
   
• event support and scheduling
   
• travel documentation and coordination
   

Ace’s attention to detail helps ensure that youth travel experiences remain organized, safe, and enriching. These experiences often expose youth to new environments, opportunities, and learning experiences that broaden their perspectives and personal growth.

As a Senior Youth Support Specialist, Ace works closely with the RYCE leadership team to help deliver mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and supportive guidance for youth navigating school, community, and life challenges. His approachable personality and real-world perspective make him a trusted mentor for young people who may benefit from guidance outside traditional classroom settings.

Ace plays an important role in helping RYCE maintain programs that emphasize practical life skills, accountability, and exposure to career pathways that many youth may not otherwise encounter.

Ace contributes to several important areas of youth development within RYCE, including:

• youth mentorship and engagement
   
• skilled trades exposure and workforce development
   
• electrical and contracting education awareness
   
• cannabis industry education and workforce awareness
   
• youth travel coordination and safety planning
   
• program logistics and operational support
   
• life skills mentorship and career exploration
   

Through his mentorship, technical expertise, and logistical leadership, Ace helps strengthen RYCE’s ability to provide well-rounded youth programming that blends personal development, career exposure, and structured support.

His work ensures that youth not only receive guidance and encouragement, but also gain exposure to practical skills and industries that can shape meaningful futures.

Ace’s mentorship reflects the core values of ROC Youth Community Engagement: empowerment, opportunity, accountability, and community connection.

Grace P. serves as a Program Supervisor and Senior Youth Support Specialist at ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE), where she plays a key leadership role in coordinating youth support services, supervising program implementation, and ensuring that young people and families receive consistent, compassionate, and effective guidance. With more than 14 years of combined personal and professional experience in child and adolescent support services, Grace brings both lived understanding and professional expertise to her work with youth navigating complex systems.

Grace is deeply committed to supporting young people who may be experiencing emotional, behavioral, educational, or social challenges. Her work focuses on helping youth develop stability, confidence, and the practical life skills necessary to successfully navigate school environments, family dynamics, and transitions into adulthood. Through her leadership within RYCE programs, she helps ensure that youth services remain structured, responsive, and grounded in trauma-informed principles.

Grace’s work is guided by a strong belief that every young person deserves access to consistent support, patient mentorship, and opportunities to grow beyond their circumstances. Her background in youth engagement and support services has allowed her to work with children and adolescents facing a wide range of challenges, including behavioral concerns, academic struggles, family instability, and emotional stress.

Her ability to connect with youth is rooted in patience, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to helping young people feel heard, valued, and respected. Grace believes that trust is the foundation of meaningful support, and she works diligently to build relationships that empower youth to identify their strengths and take ownership of their personal growth.

Within RYCE, she helps cultivate environments where youth feel safe expressing themselves, asking for help, and exploring positive pathways for their future.

As Program Supervisor and Senior Youth Support Specialist, Grace assists in overseeing the daily operations of youth programs while providing direct support to youth and families served through RYCE. Her responsibilities include helping coordinate individualized support strategies, monitoring program effectiveness, mentoring support staff, and assisting with the development of youth-centered initiatives that promote stability and growth.

Grace works closely with the RYCE leadership team to ensure that programming remains aligned with the organization’s mission of advocacy, empowerment, and community connection. Her role allows her to help translate the organization’s vision into meaningful day-to-day support for the youth and families RYCE serves.

Through her work, Grace helps strengthen the organization’s ability to provide structured, compassionate, and consistent support to youth navigating school systems, mental health resources, and community services.

Grace approaches youth support with a relationship-centered, strengths-based mindset that emphasizes encouragement, accountability, and personal development. She understands that each young person’s circumstances and experiences are unique, and she works to tailor her approach to meet youth where they are while helping them move toward healthier and more stable outcomes.

Her support strategies often focus on helping youth build:

• emotional awareness and coping skills
   
• healthy communication habits
   
• confidence and self-worth
   
• positive peer and family relationships
   
• goal-setting and future planning skills
   

Grace is known for her calm and patient presence, her ability to connect with youth who may initially struggle to trust adults, and her commitment to helping young people feel supported rather than judged.

Grace’s work within RYCE contributes to several core areas of youth development and support, including:

• youth mentorship and personal development
   
• behavioral and emotional support
   
• family engagement and communication support
   
• school stability and youth accountability
   
• life-skills development and independence preparation
   
• trauma-informed youth engagement
   
• supportive program coordination
   

Through her dedication and leadership, Grace helps ensure that RYCE programs remain consistent, compassionate, and responsive to the real-world needs of the youth and families the organization serves. Her ability to combine personal insight with practical experience allows her to support youth with authenticity and patience while helping guide them toward healthier outcomes and stronger futures.

Grace’s work reflects the values that define ROC Youth Community Engagement: support, advocacy, accountability, and empowerment. She continues to play an important role in helping the organization build environments where young people feel safe, supported, and capable of achieving meaningful growth.

Chike Ogbonna, PMHNP-BC is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in psychiatric and behavioral health care. Throughout his career, Chike has remained committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate, and patient-centered mental health treatment to individuals navigating a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges.

Chike earned his Master of Science in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing from Walden University, where he developed advanced clinical expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and therapeutic treatment planning. His work focuses on supporting patients through a holistic and individualized approach, recognizing that effective mental health care must address the unique experiences, environments, and needs of each person he serves.

Over the course of his career, Chike has worked in diverse healthcare settings, gaining extensive experience in treating complex psychiatric conditions across different populations. His clinical practice emphasizes thorough assessment, respectful communication, and collaborative care, ensuring that patients feel heard, understood, and actively involved in their treatment journey.

Chike specializes in the evaluation and treatment of a broad range of mental health conditions including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression and mood disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Personality disorders
• Panic attacks
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Eating disorders
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Substance use disorders and addiction
• Alcohol dependency and opioid addiction
• Prescription medication misuse

His clinical philosophy centers on compassionate care, careful listening, and thoughtful treatment planning. Patients frequently describe him as knowledgeable, respectful, attentive, and thorough, highlighting his ability to create a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing sensitive mental health concerns.

Chike is licensed to practice in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, allowing him to provide psychiatric care to patients across multiple states. He works with a wide range of major insurance providers, helping make mental health treatment more accessible to individuals and families seeking support.

In addition to traditional psychiatric care, Chike also provides evaluations and treatment planning related to substance use, addiction recovery, and medical marijuana assessments where clinically appropriate. His goal is always to support patients in achieving long-term mental wellness, stability, and improved quality of life.

Chike’s commitment to professionalism, empathy, and clinical excellence has earned him strong feedback from patients, reflected in an average 4.55-star rating across dozens of verified reviews. Many patients note his ability to listen without judgment, explain treatment options clearly, and provide thoughtful, patient-focused care.

Through his work, Chike continues to advocate for accessible, high-quality psychiatric care, helping individuals take meaningful steps toward healing, resilience, and sustained mental well-being.

Name: Chike Ogbonna, PMHNP-BC
Specialty: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Licensed In:
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey

NPI Number:
1144111584

Languages:
English

Walter Larkin Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of the University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men (UPrep) in Rochester, New York, where he leads one of the region’s most impactful institutions dedicated to developing academically prepared, socially responsible, and community-minded young men. With more than two decades of leadership experience in education, Walter has devoted his career to expanding opportunities for students while strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and communities.

Walter’s work centers on the belief that education is a powerful pathway to equity, empowerment, and long-term success. As CEO of UPrep, he oversees the strategic vision, academic leadership, and operational management of the school while guiding initiatives that promote student achievement, character development, and college and career readiness. Under his leadership, UPrep continues to expand programs that provide young men with access to academic enrichment, athletics, career exploration, and leadership development opportunities.

Before joining UPrep, Walter served in several senior leadership roles within the Rochester City School District, including Executive Director of Alternative Programs, Principal at Edison Career and Technology High School, Assistant Principal, and Student & Family Support Director. Across these positions, he worked closely with students, educators, and families to design programs that support academic engagement, behavioral support, and pathways to graduation for students navigating complex challenges.

Walter’s leadership has consistently focused on building educational environments where students feel supported, motivated, and prepared for the future. His experience spans educational administration, school improvement strategy, student support services, career readiness initiatives, and community engagement, making him a respected voice in Rochester’s education and youth development community.

In addition to his administrative work, Walter has spent many years mentoring students through athletics, previously serving as a Boys Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Coach, helping young athletes develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Walter holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Rochester and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he contributes to community engagement and educational initiatives as Director of Education for the Eta Rho Lambda Chapter.

Throughout his career, Walter has remained deeply committed to uplifting Rochester’s youth and ensuring that schools serve as spaces of opportunity, mentorship, and growth. His leadership continues to shape programs and partnerships that empower young men to pursue their goals, serve their communities, and build successful futures.

Katy Weber is an experienced educator and special education leader with more than two decades of experience supporting students, teachers, and school systems. Her work centers on strengthening inclusive education practices, advancing equity for students with disabilities, and equipping educators with the tools necessary to create meaningful learning opportunities for all learners.

Katy holds multiple graduate degrees from St. John Fisher University, including a Master of Science in Special Education and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with concentrations in Elementary Education. Her academic training and professional experience position her as a respected voice in the fields of special education, instructional design, and school improvement.

Throughout her career, Katy has worked across a variety of educational environments, including public schools, charter schools, nonprofit education organizations, and regional educational service agencies. She has served as a Special Education Teacher, Specialized Services Coordinator, Special Education School Improvement Specialist, Coordinating Administrator of Special Education, and Director of After School Programs. In these roles, she has supported students with diverse learning needs while helping schools implement effective, evidence-based instructional strategies.

Katy currently serves as a Special Education Teacher at Holy Childhood, where she continues her long-standing commitment to supporting students with disabilities through individualized instruction, behavioral supports, and collaborative learning environments.

In addition to her classroom work, Katy is a national presenter with the Bureau of Education & Research, where she facilitates professional development seminars for educators across the country. Her workshops focus on differentiated instruction, specially designed instruction, literacy development, and strategies for supporting students with disabilities. She is widely recognized for her engaging, hands-on training style that combines research-based strategies with practical classroom application.

Earlier in her career, Katy served with Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES as a Special Education School Improvement Specialist, where she worked with struggling districts to strengthen literacy instruction, improve behavioral supports, and build capacity for serving students with disabilities. Her work included providing coaching, technical assistance, and professional development to help districts align instruction with evidence-based practices and Common Core standards.

Katy is also a published contributor to educational resources, including a guidance document supporting teachers in embedding specially designed instruction within Common Core aligned lesson plans, emphasizing explicit instruction and structured learning strategies for students with disabilities.

Beyond her professional work, Katy is deeply committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and educators. She believes that education is about more than academic achievement—it is about helping students develop confidence, purpose, and the life skills necessary to succeed beyond the classroom.

Her teaching philosophy centers on being a catalyst for growth and transformation in students’ lives. She strives to inspire young people to recognize their worth, take pride in their progress, and pursue goals they may not have believed possible.

Outside of her professional life, Katy enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, traveling on road trips, and enjoying time with her dog.

Through her dedication to inclusive education, educator development, and student empowerment, Katy continues to make a lasting impact on schools and communities across Rochester and beyond.

Cameron G. serves as a Public Relations Specialist, Social Media Manager, and Youth Support Specialist at ROC Youth Community Engagement (RYCE). In this multifaceted role, he supports the organization’s communications strategy, youth engagement initiatives, and education transition services while helping ensure that RYCE’s voice remains authentic, impactful, and community-centered.

Cameron brings a unique combination of communications expertise, youth development experience, and education advocacy, allowing him to bridge the gap between community outreach, digital engagement, and real-world support for young people navigating school systems, higher education pathways, and life transitions.

With more than a decade of combined professional and lived experience supporting youth and young adults, Cameron has built a reputation for helping young people identify their goals, navigate complex systems, and access the opportunities they deserve.

At RYCE, Cameron plays a key role in ensuring that the organization’s mission, programs, and youth voices are amplified across both digital and community platforms.

Cameron’s background in communications and public relations spans work with some of the most respected and innovative agencies across the United States. His experience ranges from digital brand strategy and crisis communications to large-scale public relations campaigns and media development.

Throughout his career he has collaborated with and contributed to work alongside leading public relations firms including:

Top California PR Agencies

• Small Girls PR (Los Angeles / New York) — known for creative, high-impact campaigns supporting both startups and major brands.
• Konnect Agency (Los Angeles) — specializing in lifestyle, food and beverage, and franchise brand communications.
• C&R Public Relations (Los Angeles) — focusing on luxury travel, hospitality, and real estate communications.
• OPR Communications — experts in public affairs, crisis communication, and government relations.
• (W)right On Communications — specializing in B2B, technology, healthcare, and energy communications.
• Asbury PR (Beverly Hills) — working within entertainment, media, and multimedia branding.
• Society22 PR — focused on strategic public relations and business development partnerships.
• Brenton Way — a digital-first agency specializing in online brand expansion and digital growth.

Cameron’s work also intersects with several high-ranking statewide public relations firms across Florida, where he gained additional experience in strategic messaging, brand positioning, and reputation management.

These agencies include:

• The Zimmerman Agency
• rbb Communications
• Moore, Inc.
• Sachs Media
• Otter Public Relations

In addition, Cameron has worked alongside regional specialists including:

South Florida & Miami Market

• Edelman (Miami)
• Avenue Z
• BoardroomPR
• The Buzz Agency

Central Florida & Orlando Market

• Uproar PR
• PR/PR
• Tagliani Multicultural

Tampa Bay & Jacksonville Market

• Axia Public Relations
• JoTo PR Disruptors
• Point Taken Communications

Specialized Boutique Firms

• Red Banyan
• KMR Communications
• Fish Consulting

This diverse communications background allows Cameron to bring high-level media strategy, digital growth expertise, and crisis communications insight into RYCE’s outreach and public messaging.

Through his leadership in communications and digital engagement, Cameron helps ensure that the stories, challenges, and successes of youth and families are shared responsibly, authentically, and with purpose.

In addition to his communications career, Cameron has more than ten years of hands-on experience working directly with youth in residential, behavioral health, and community-based support settings.

He previously served as a Residential Supervisor at two major youth-serving organizations in the Rochester region:

• Villa of Hope
• Hillside – Varrick Campus

In these leadership roles, Cameron oversaw youth care teams responsible for supporting young people experiencing trauma, behavioral challenges, family disruption, and mental health concerns. His work focused on creating structured, safe, and supportive environments where youth could stabilize, grow, and build the skills necessary for long-term success.

His responsibilities included:

• supervising residential youth support staff
• implementing trauma-informed behavioral support strategies
• managing crisis interventions and de-escalation
• mentoring youth through daily life skills development
• coordinating care with clinicians, families, and schools
• facilitating therapeutic programming and restorative conversations

Through this work, Cameron developed strong expertise in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), one of the leading crisis management frameworks used in residential youth programs.

His ability to remain calm, supportive, and solution-focused during high-stress situations has made him a trusted figure among youth and staff alike.

One of Cameron’s most impactful areas of expertise is helping young people navigate the transition from high school to college, vocational training, or career pathways.

He is widely recognized as a resource for youth and families needing support with:

• the High School to College transition process
• FAFSA completion and financial aid navigation
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit evaluation
• college application strategy
• scholarship identification and submission
• academic pathway planning
• career exploration and goal-setting

Cameron understands that many first-generation students and families face barriers when navigating higher education systems. His approach focuses on breaking down complex processes into accessible, step-by-step support, ensuring that young people feel confident and prepared when pursuing their educational goals.

Through RYCE, he helps youth move from uncertainty to opportunity, ensuring that financial aid systems, college admissions, and academic planning do not become barriers to success.

Cameron attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he pursued advanced studies in communications, technology, and digital security.

His academic work includes studies in:

• Advertising and Public Relations
• Communication Studies
• Cybersecurity

His education reflects his multidisciplinary approach to leadership — combining communications strategy, digital literacy, and systems awareness in ways that strengthen modern organizations and community initiatives.

Cameron proudly identifies as both BIPOC and LGBTQ+, and he brings a strong commitment to equity, representation, and inclusive leadership into every aspect of his work.

His lived experience informs his ability to connect authentically with youth from diverse backgrounds and identities. He is passionate about creating environments where young people feel safe expressing who they are while building the confidence and skills needed to succeed.

At RYCE, Cameron helps ensure that programs remain:

• culturally responsive
• inclusive of diverse identities
• trauma-informed
• youth-centered
• rooted in dignity and respect

His advocacy work reflects a deep belief that young people deserve spaces where they are supported without judgment and empowered without limitation.

Cameron has been connected with ROC Youth Community Engagement since its earliest stages. He was present alongside JJ during the formative years of the organization in 2015, when the vision for RYCE was first taking shape.

Over the years, he has watched the organization grow from an idea centered on youth advocacy into a full community engagement initiative supporting families across multiple systems.

Today, Cameron remains one of RYCE’s most dedicated team members and advocates, helping expand the organization’s reach through communications, mentorship, and youth support services.

At RYCE, Cameron contributes across several critical areas of the organization’s work:

Public Relations & Media Strategy

• digital communications
• brand storytelling
• community engagement campaigns
• media messaging and outreach

Social Media Management

• youth-centered digital engagement
• platform strategy and content development
• community messaging and awareness initiatives

Youth Support Services

• mentoring and youth advocacy
• crisis stabilization support
• restorative youth engagement

Education Navigation

• FAFSA support
• high school to college transition planning
• academic and career pathway advising

His work ensures that RYCE remains visible, accessible, and responsive to the communities it serves.

Cameron’s work is driven by a belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, mentorship, and guidance — regardless of background or circumstance.

Whether supporting a youth through a crisis, helping a student complete their FAFSA, developing digital outreach campaigns, or mentoring young leaders, Cameron approaches every role with compassion, professionalism, and purpose.

His presence at RYCE reflects the organization’s core philosophy:

When youth are supported, empowered, and connected to opportunity, entire communities grow stronger.