Our Work
Keep scrolling to see our most recent work!
Black Lives Matter Protest
JUNE 6, 2020
In June of 2020, The RCI hosted the largest protest in all of Rochester's History in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
RCI Public Forum & Rally
JULY 18, 2020
In the month following the protest, the RCI created a community forum for the locals of Rochester to ask the officials and politicians the pressing questions about our community.
The Intersectionality of Race, COVID-19, & Community Health Town Hall
JULY 30, 2020
The RCI co-hosted “The Intersectionality of Race, COVID-19, & Community Health Town Hall” along with other organizations in Rochester.
Black Lives Matter Rally
September 5, 2020
In September, the Black Panthers and Brown Berets of Minneapolis joined forces with RCI to create an impassioned plea for an end to the rampant systemic racism and police brutality through community speeches, art, and more.
School Board Listening Session #1
September 13, 2020
RCI held a School Board Listening Session, which was a great opportunity for students to ask school board members and candidates critical questions.
School Board Listening Session #2
September 27, 2020
This was the second School Board Listening session RCI held to share their stories and experiences with candidates and have important discussion.
September 5, 2020
RCI Virtual Voter Education Workshop
October 24, 2020
A virtual workshop to educate voters on all the positions up for election in November. Within this workshop, voters chose which breakout rooms to join in order to learn about specific candidates and a presentation on voter suppression in the CD-1 district.
RCI Voter Empowerment Series
October 20 - November 3, 2020
As election day approached, RCI started putting together a Voter Empowerment Video Series. This series, targeted toward the youth, was composed of a series of video clips every day, with RCI members and others telling viewers to Get Out To Vote!
RCI Community Merchandise Competition
November 16 - 30, 2020
RCI called all artists for a Community Merch Competition, in which the winning three designs would be featured on shirts and stickers.
RCI Food & Clothing Drive
December 14 - January 15, 2021
RCI held a food and clothing drive to collect donations for refugees in Tigray, Ethiopia.
Youth Gift Drive
December 14-15, 2020
RCI worked on a gift drive for teenagers in need in collaboration with the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission
Children First Rochester: A Community Conversation on Educating all of our Children
December 17, 2020
RCI partnered with Rochester for Justice, The Rochester Diversity Council, and The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to facilitate a conversation with Justice Page and Neel Kashkari, President of the Federal Reserve, in regards to their proposed education amendment to the Minnesota Constitution.
RCI Educational Programming
2020-2021 RPS School Year
RCI has created a curriculum of topics including tolerance, empathy, equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality to be taught within the Rochester Public Schools district schools throughout all levels. RCI’s educational programming also includes a pen pal program between elementary students and RCI members. Lastly, the program offers leadership talks for classes to emphasize the importance of sharing your voice.
RCI First Edition Newsletter
January 2021
RCI members created a newsletter that discusses equity and equality, includes community spotlights, resources, updates, future ideas, and more!
RCI Community Merchandise Sales
January 28, 2021
RCI has opened up t-shirt and sticker sales with the winning designs from the previous competition. Pre-orders ran from 1/28-2/13.
RCI Mental Health Survey
February - March 2021
RCI created and disseminated a mental health survey to gather data on the mental health of the child, adolescent, and adult populations in the Olmsted County area. Survey data identified common trends regarding accessibility and satisfaction of mental health services in the region, as well as the mental well being of the population. Once the data collection from this survey was complete, the information gathered will be used to guide advocacy efforts for expanding access to mental health care. Currently, the Logistics Committee is using this data for working on creating a small scale Interface program.
Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota Act Advocacy
February 19, 2021
RCI produced a video discussing the urgency and importance of the ITOCA Act! RCI also won social media competition for helping spread information about the Act.
NAACP Black History Speaker Series Panelists
February 20, 2021
Youth leaders sharing their perspectives on the transformational nature of 2020, and where we go from here.
RCI X Riverside Pen Pal Program
February - June 2021
For RCI Members to connect and build relationships with elementary students so they can see themselves represented in community leadership. Also, students learned essential writing and tech skills.
RCI X BWC | A conversation on youth mental health and community resources
February 28, 2021
RCI collaborated with BeWellCOVID and guest speaker Dr. Jess Garcia to host a Facebook Live youth discussion on mental health and the community.
RCI X YEA: A conversation on the climate crisis and climate justice education
March 6, 2021
RCI collaborated with Youth Environmental Activists to discuss the climate crisis and climate justice from our perspective as youth on Facebook Live.
Organizing, Educating, & Advocating: The Rochester Community Initiative
March 18, 2021
RCI presented at the In The City For Good Forum and answered community questions on our work and the essence of our advocacy.
RCI X RPR X PPAF | Lobbying 101 Training
April 3, 2021
RCI co-hosted a beginner friendly lobbying training with Rochester for Reproductive Freedom and Planned Parenthood Fund community members to learn the ins + outs of lobbying and gain confidence while doing it.
So You Wanna Be an Activist Community Conversation
April 10, 2021
Joined by MN Teen Activists and The Just Action Coalition to discuss social justice and youth activism with community members
Rochester Area In-District Meeting with Legislators
April 10, 2021
A conversation to hold our elected officials accountable and hear about key issues from legislators and stories from community members
RCI 5K Fun Run
May 29, 2021
A run to raise environmental awareness, reunite the community, partner with local businesses, and create a platform for Rochester’s youth to discuss environmental issues. 50% of the revenue made from fundraising was donated to local nonprofits and environmental groups as well as being used to fund the RCI community garden.
RCI Eco-Education Program
July 13 - 16, 2021
Program running from July 13-16th, the purpose of the project was to develop relationships between local students and Rochester youth leaders through cultivating community gardens and educational lessons on the importance of the environment and climate preservation.
RCI Back to School Staff Week Presentation
August 24, 2021
A professional development presentation to Rochester Public School Staff exploring ideas and principles students want their educators to incorporate in the classroom. Combining our personal experiences and drawing from academic research, the topics we shared included cultural competency, global awareness as a 21st century skill, and intersectionality.
RCI Climate Justice Book Drive
August 24, 2021
Provided accessible climate education resources exploring social, economic, historical, and political climate-related topics. We’ve purchased and distributed hundreds of books across the Mayo, Century, and John Marshall High School libraries.
RCI Period Equity Project
November 1 - December 19, 2021
The Period Equity Project was a local Rochester initiative to connect menstrual products with people who need them. The collected donated supplies were given to organizations, such as The Landing and Gage East Apartments, in Rochester that support community members in need.
RCI Winter Supply Drive
November 29 - December 6, 2021
The Winter Supply Drive was a community initiative to help low-income community members gain access to essential clothing items over the winter months. All items were donated to the Alternative Learning Center, The Landing, Riverside and Willow SOS Rooms, and Local Homeless Shelters.
RCI X ISAIAH Coalition Caucus Training
December 18, 2021
The training event was hosted by both RCI and the ISAIAH Coalition to provide community members with a space to learn about the local caucus process for the upcoming 2022 elections.
RCI Guide to the 2022 Elections
January 18 - February 1, 2022
RCI launched a voters education series to help make local elections and less intimidating. Topics covered included common terms and definitions, importance, districts, candidates, and Caucus Day.
RCI Community Merch Competition
January 24 - February 14, 2022
RCI held its second Community Merch Competition to provide local talent the platform to get involved in artistic endeavors. Artists from across the area competed in creating a design to be featured on our next merch sale and win prizes.
RCI New Parent Drive
February 26 - March 12, 2022
RCI held its first New Parent Drive to help new parents in need of baby items by collecting donations at local community locations. Hundreds of items were distributed at Soldiers Field.
RCI: The Community Through Art
May 21, 2022
RCI hosted a community art show to spotlight and support local BIPOC and young artists at Forager Brewery. Local artists had individual spaces to showcase their work and sell their products with an opportunity to have their art remain on display at Forager Brewery after the event.
RCI Second Annual 5K Fun Run
May 28, 2022
RCI hosted its second annual 5K Fun Run at Soldiers Field in hopes of increasing environmental awareness. Local organizations, businesses, vendors, and hundreds of community members were in attendance. From free goodie bags and silent auction baskets to live music and youth speakers, the event was a major success!
RCI Substance Use Survey
June 1, 2022
RCI put together a survey with the purpose of gathering data on substance use amongst teenagers within the Olmsted County area. The data was used to identify common substance use trends in the region. The information gathered was used only for educational purposes and anonymously collected.
RCI Community Naloxone Training
June 30, 2022
RCI partnered with Diversity Council to hold Community Naloxone Trainings in Rochester. The training was to help community members learn how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer Narcan (naloxone), and inform them about Steve's Law (MN's Good Samaritan and Naloxone Legislation).
RCI Rochester for Roe Rally
July 9, 2022
RCI and Joined Parenthood partnered in organizing the Rochester for Roe rally at Peace Plaza after the official overturning of Roe v. Wade. While abortion in Minnesota is protected in the state constitution, there is no guarantee it will be protected forever. The rally was a statement on the importance of continual support for pro-choice politicians.
RCI Second New Parent Drive
July 15 - 29, 2022
RCI held its second New Parent Drive after the immense success of and high demand after the initial drive. Baby formula, diapers, clothes, and so much more was donated in support of new parents. All items were distributed at MLK Park.
RCI Green Business Recognition Series
October 5, 2022 - February 15, 2023
RCI completed a Green Business Recognition series on social media to recognize local businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. Every month, a new business was featured and awarded either a bronze, silver, or golden medal for their sustainability efforts.
RCI General Elections Voter Education Series
October 21 - November 1, 2022
In response to the fast approaching midterm season, RCI put together a voter education series for November 8th's General Elections. Several topics were covered, not limited to general overview, definitions, focus, voting locations, what's at stake, and candidates.
RCI Pronouns and Inclusive Language 101
December 17, 2022
RCI held a Pronouns and Inclusive Language 101 session to help teach community members on the importance of using inclusive language, help clear-up misconceptions, and equip those watching with the appropriate tools to be cognizant and respectful of others.
RCI Reads
March 6 - May 17, 2023
RCI Reads is a mentorship based literacy program that aims to improve community connection and address declining Rochester literacy rates through avenues of education. The program connects high school upperclassmen with elementary school students in an effort to build confidence and skills in reading, phonetics, and vocabulary. As elementary-age students receive individualized tutoring, high school kids become empowered as educators and agents of change within their community. The pilot program took place at Sunset Terrace Elementary School.
RCI Reads Book Drive
March 6 - May 17, 2023
To kick off the program, RCI held a book drive to provide elementary school students with take-home books of their own to build personal libraries with, further extending the program into their own homes. RCI collected hundreds of books, all of which effectively went to The Free Book Buggie room at Sunset Terrace Elementary School for distribution.
RCI Community Art Show
March 19, 2023
RCI hosted its second Community Art Show at Forager Brewery to celebrate local BIPOC and young artists.
School Funding
April 5, 2023
A community conversation on how the state legislative funding of $2.2 billion in new funds for education impacts Rochester Public Schools. State legislations, educator and community members were in attendance.
RCI Caring for Minnesota Rally
April 29, 2023
As the Minnesota legislative season neared an end, RCI and the ISAIAH Coalition partnered to make a final push in persuading lawmakers to pass a caring economy agenda that safeguards the dignity of all individuals. Over 200 legislations, government officials, educators, and community members were in attendance.
RCI Third Annual 5K Fun Run
May 21, 2023
RCI organized its third annual 5K Fun Run at Soldiers Field. All raised money was donated to the Rochester Boys and Girls Club to help make community sports more equitable and inclusive. The event included over 12 local business collaborators, a silent auction, guest speakers, and more! An RCI record amount of money was raised with over 200 community members in attendance.
RCI Pre-Registration Campaign
July 4 - Present
After Governor Walz signed the "Democracy for the People Act," 16 and 17 year olds were granted the right to pre-register to vote in Minnesota. RCI and We Choose Us came together to host a Minnesota-wide pre-registration campaign for 16 and 17 year olds. Over 600 youth have been pre-registered to vote at various public high schools.
RCI Listening Session
August 27, 2023
RCI held a community listening session at 125 Live to create a Youth Agenda for the upcoming year. Several reflection and discussion exercises were hosted, and a guest speaker came to educate those in attendance on recently passed Minnesotan legislation.
C2C Summit
October 4, 2023
RCI presented at the annual C2C (Cradle to Career) Education Summit for the second consecutive year. This year, Elena Meves and Morgan Morey discussed "The Power of Educational Relationships from a Youth Perspective," highlighting RCI's highly successful RCI Reads program. Several professionals in the field of education were there, as well as Mayor Norton.
NAACP Youth in Action Award
November 4, 2023
At the 2023 Freedom Fund Banquet, RCI won the NAACP Youth in Action Award which honors young individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to civil rights and community activism. Recipients of this award are recognized for their leadership in promoting social, educational, political, and economic equality.
RCI Reads Session 2
November 6 - December 18, 2023
After the widespread success of the pilot, RCI launched a second wave of the RCI Reads program on November 6. The program lasted six weeks and took place at Sunset Terrace Elementary School.
RCI's 2nd Annual Food & Supply Drive
For The Landing
November 7 - 21, 2023
RCI hosted its second annual food and supply drive for The Landing, a local drop-in day center for those experiencing homelessness in Rochester. A considerable amount of items including non-perishable food items, winter clothing, and hygiene products were donated to the 11 sites arranged by the RCI Development Committee.
RCI Teacher Appreciation Series
January 20 - April 15, 2024
Our Public Relations Committee recognized teachers in the Rochester Public Schools District by interviewing them and showing appreciation for their work and dedication to students. The 5-part series can be found on our Instagram (@rochinitiative).
RCI Mental Health Database
March 22, 2024
After years of work and progress, RCI finally launched its Mental Health Database based on the results of the Mental Health Survey conducted in 2021. Results indicated that the majority of the Rochester and Olmsted County area population had difficulty finding the help they needed to properly treat their mental health deficiencies. Thus, the database contains compilations of hotlines, providers, and free resources for adolescents and Rochester area community members to access. Within the database, the search for providers is 100% personalized to each individual, making their process of finding treatment seamless and straightforward. The database can be accessed with the "Mental Health Database" tab on our website or with the URL: rcimentalhealth.org.
RCI Fourth Annual 5k Fun Run
May 5, 2024
RCI had its fourth annual 5K Fun Run at Cascade Lake Park. All proceeds from registrants were donated to Project Legacy, a local non-profit that provides support and training to youth and young adults impacted by poverty, incarceration, gangs, addiction, and violence in our community through tuition assistance, mental health support, and positive peer groups. Yet another donation record was reached with over $4,000 donated to Project Legacy.
C2C Summit
October 9, 2024
For the third consecutive year, RCI presented at the annual Cradle to Career Education Summit. Operations Officers Juliann Yao and Anousha Mozammel promoted the RCI Mental Health Database recently launched in March under the presentation title: "Youth Decoded: The Mental Health Database." It was an insightful day of discussions and conversations working to improve our community and continue nurturing our younger generations.
RCI Reads Session 3
November 1, 2024
Continuing our efforts to improve literacy among elementary students, we successfully launched our third RCI Reads session at Sunset Terrace Elementary School. This program would not be made possible without the amazing educators at Sunset Terrace, our dedicated members, and generous high school volunteers! Huge thanks to them :)
RCI x Jeremiah Program Donation Drive
November 10-22, 2024
We were inspired by the amazing work done by the Rochester Jeremiah Program (JP) and decided to partner with them for our third annual donation drive. JP is an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for single mothers and believes “no mother should have to choose between investing in herself and her children.” Thank you to all the local organizations, facilities, and restaurants who graciously lended their spaces as donation sites!
The RCI Youth Voice Newsletter
December 1, 2024
we launched our monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics including: month significance, RPS schools' highlights, local events, Rochester and MN current events and decisions, RPS Staff of the Month Spotlights, community service opportunities for youth, and a submission from the public! Our goal is to keep community members educated on events happening within Rochester and in the world while amplifying youth voice. We would also love to hear from you! Check out the "RCI Newsletter" tab to read our articles and see how you can contribute.
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Immigrant Rights: Rochester's Reality Rally
March 2, 2025
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, we organized a peaceful rally in advocacy for immigrant rights. Due to recent policies, immigrants faced adversity in our community, leaving us no choice but to speak up. The event commenced with sign-making with RCI members, then an opening speech delivered by RCI directors. Our guest speakers then shared some meaningful words, and finally, all 250+ community members in attendance embarked on a march around downtown Rochester together with RCI. This day was full of hope and motivation for moving toward the right direction and valuing the immigrant members of our community and country.​​
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Guest speakers at the rally:
- Mayo student Loi Shah
- JM teacher Gloria Torres-Herbeck & student Ariana Becerra Rosas
- Mayo student Maeva Djossou
- Century student Mia Peña
- Mayo teacher Christina (Señora) Freund
- JM student Hawweraa Negassa
