Hillside: News Release

For many high school students in the Rochester City School District that face life challenges, the goal of graduation can sometimes become a fleeting dream. For approximately 140 students participating in Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection's (HW-SC) program, however, the dream will become a reality on Wednesday, June 6, when HW-SC holds its 20th Annual Senior Celebration. The event begins at 3:00 p.m. at the Wilson Commencement High School located on 501 Genesee Street.

Now in its 20th year of building better futures with Rochester's youth, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection holds this annual graduation celebration to mark the culmination of the students' high school experience. This year's event includes keynote addresses from Rochester City School District Board of Education Vice President Malik Evans and HW-SC student Ashantee Cowlay. In addition, there will be an awards presentation and a formal recognition of the graduating seniors. A reception in the graduates' honor is planned for immediately after the event.

Students voluntarily participate in the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. They are paired with a youth advocate who works cooperatively with the student, parents, teachers, businesses, worksite mentors, and human service agencies to create an individualized development plan for the student's success.

Through this model, HW-SC seeks to increase the graduation rate, as well as to ensure that participants leave high school with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue post-secondary education and/or to enter the workforce. A 2006 Center for Governmental Research (CGR) study states, "the HW-SC model is conceptually sound and continues to result in graduation rates among program participants which are significantly higher than at-risk comparison group students not exposed to the program (60.4 percent versus 36.4 percent)."

About Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection is an affiliate of Hillside Family of Agencies, a family and children services organization that provides child welfare, mental health, youth development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities services across central and western New York.

Hillside Family of Agencies is also comprised of affiliates Crestwood Children's Center, Crestwood Children's Foundation, Hillside Children's Center, Hillside Children's Foundation, and Snell Farm Children's Center.

Need More Information?
Call us, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, at (585) 256-7500 or TTY (585) 256-7881. Or jbacci@hillside.com