This past Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Roads to Success staff and partners came together to serve our community in honor of Dr. King's legacy of compassion.
RTS teamed up with Assemblymember George Alvarez and Part Of The Solution(POTS), a staple organization fighting food insecurity in the Bronx. At POTS' kitchen, our volunteers prepared over 500 sandwiches and 140 hot meals to be distributed to neighbors in need during POTS' daily lunch service.
By supporting their existing program, we aimed to uplift Dr. King's call to action - "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." Our small act connected to his profound legacy of collaborating to build the Beloved Community through care for one another.
The staff left feeling inspired by answering the call to give back alongside our incredible partners already doing this vital work daily. Though the journey continues toward Dr. King's vision of belonging and justice for all, we were humbled to contribute through service rooted in love this MLK Day.
Roads to Success thanks Assemblymember Alvarez, POTS, and all our volunteers for dedicating time and care to feed the community. We look forward to future opportunities to uplift our neighbors and promote equity.

December 2023 proved an impactful month of community dialogues, career exposure, and holiday cheer for the 120+ high school and college-aged youth in Roads to Success’ Work, Learn, Grow program.
On December 8th, our students participated in a compelling community discussion hosted by The Community Initiative of New York. Panel members, including individuals from the Manhattan DEA office, medical practitioners, and NYPD, shared insights on the impact of fentanyl in the state and efforts to protect citizens. It was an enlightening conversation that highlighted the collaborative spirit between our students and community leaders.
The following week, on December 13th, WLG students had the opportunity to attend a virtual career panel. Our panelists, many of whom are associated with worksites where our students will intern, shared valuable college and career experiences. This event fostered connections between students and their future supervisors, offering insights into their upcoming internships.
Continuing the dialogue, our students engaged with the Mayor Eric Adams on December 14th. They discussed issues within public schools, communities, and the potential impact of budget cuts. It was an empowering experience for our students to share their perspectives directly with city officials.
To wrap up 2023, WLG collaborated with TCIONY again for a festive holiday celebration with food, raffle prizes, and peer connection. Students also submitted worksite referral forms, preparing them for paid internships beginning this January through the NYC Department of Youth and Community Department, WLG employment readiness initiative.
By participating in enrichment that links youth to resources and sparks civic involvement, WLG students gain tools to create change from within their communities. We look forward to their continued growth in 2024!

This holiday season, Roads to Success was honored to collaborate with Hope Community Inc. in bringing holiday cheer to over 150 underserved families in East Harlem.
On December 18 th 2023, our staff happily distributed gifts and essential food assistance alongside Hope Community, with generous support from MTA Police’s Holiday Toy Drive and NY Common Pantry. Together, we provided over 150+ youth in the neighborhood with brand new toys, games, electronics, and gift cards carefully wrapped with love. The sparkle in the children's eyes filled our hearts as they tore open the presents.
Additionally, 200 packages of frozen meat were handed out to families facing food insecurity, thanks to NY Common Pantry. Providing holiday meals eases the burden for parents worried about gathering food amidst hardship.
Roads to Success extends deep appreciation to Hope Community for co-organizing this meaningful event. We also sincerely thank MTA Police and Common Pantries for entrusting us to distribute their generous donations. The community came together to lift our neighbors in need - demonstrating the powerful impact collaboration makes.
As we reflect during this season of giving, we are reminded that empowering communities requires uplifting each other through compassion. We look forward to future initiatives serving families alongside our invaluable partners.

Curiosity and excitement filled the room as Roads to Success' Work Learn Grow interns stepped into the Dataiku office. For these promising NYC high schoolers and college newcomers, the workplace visit represented a glimpse into possible professional futures.
Intern Nevaeh Johnson remarked, "I gathered useful information about two-year colleges that I hadn't considered. It was insightful learning which institutions best align with my goals." Mahadi Talha found the diverse backgrounds of Dataiku staff particularly interesting as it displays how varying trajectories can lead to dynamic industries like tech.
Nafiul Islam especially enjoyed the welcoming environment and sandwiches while observing how Dataiku teammates collaborate.
“Experiencing inclusive spaces expands what students envision as possible,” says Program Director Kamrun Farzana. “Dataiku showed our interns they can succeed being exactly who they are.”
We extend our deepest thanks to the Dataiku team for opening their doors and sparking inspiration through this impactful career exposure visit.
Through NYC DYCD’s Work Learn Grow employment program, with Roads to Success as their provider, we annually connect youth ages 14-24 with career exposure and paid experience. This year 175 RTS participants gained motivation to diligently develop skills matching professional goals.

This November, a team of 6 courageous runners partnered with Roads to Success (RTS) for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, championing our mission to empower underserved youth through equitable access to transformative education and enrichment programs.
Forming #TeamRTS, Alexa Lodenquai, Andrew Vittorio, Matthew Vittorio, Seth Samuels, Felipe Concha and Samuel Kim raised over $20,000 for RTS! Through rallying their communities for months prior, their fundraising upholds critical services from after-school care and tutoring to college-readiness and career development.
On November 5th, displaying perseverance and heart, #TeamRTS crossed the renowned finish line in Central Park. We are profoundly grateful for their selflessness preparing for this legendary race. Their months of dedication ultimately help strengthen the next generation of leaders, who will fearlessly pursue their purpose.
To #TeamRTS - congratulations and thank you for the immeasurable impact! Your compassion transforms lives.

New York, NY (November 13, 2023)- This Monday, over 400 of New York City’s promising youth were given the invaluable opportunity to engage directly with preeminent city leaders about pressing issues affecting their lives and communities. Roads to Success (RTS) collaborated with The Community Initiative of New York (TCIONY) to host this momentous forum with the Commissioners of NYC at Columbia University.
 
The event featured a distinguished panel of high-ranking commissioners: Commissioner Ashwin Vasan - NYC Health & Mental Hygiene, Commissioner Edward Caban - NYPD, Commissioner Laura Kavanagh - FDNY, Commissioner Keith Howard - DYCD, Commissioner Juanita Holmes - Probation, Commissioner Louis Molina – Corrections, and Deputy Chancellor Kenita Lloyd – Family and Community Engagement and External Affairs.
 
Students raised pressing questions on mental health resources, public transportation access, school meal quality, and more. Commissioner Juanita Holmes offered sage advice to tenaciously "stay the course" academically and remain resilient against pernicious societal influences.
Commissioner Keith Howard discussed how, at DYCD, he is proud to empower young New Yorkers through paid internships, after-school programming, and by funding impactful providers like RTS and TAG (Teaching a Generation).
 
The preeminent takeaway of the event was the diversity represented on the commissioner panel reflecting immense progress. The youth in attendance now have accomplished, diverse role models blazing a trail they can augment going forward.
 
Additionally, this event emphasized that youth voices matter and must be uplifted. Existing opportunities must be better propagated so youth can avail them. More platforms are needed for youth to voice concerns and shape the policies affecting them.
 
“Today’s youth have so much to say when given the platform,” said RTS CEO Sheila Duke in opening remarks. “Events like this amplify their voices and enable direct communication with leaders shaping their futures.”
 
Students departed feeling galvanized and resolute to catalyze change. RTS and TCIONY applaud the commissioners for their time and look forward to further youth empowerment collaborations.
 
About Roads to Success
Roads to Success provides comprehensive youth development programs and services that empower underserved NYC youth and communities, to unlock their potential and become future leaders. Learn more at www.roadstosuccess.org.
 
About TCIONY
The Community Initiative of New York is a youth-led nonprofit representing young people and encouraging them to create a better perspective.
Learn more at: https://www.tciony.org/

Roads to Success hosted its 7th Annual Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 at The Borough of
Manhattan Community College. The half-day event brought together over 500 students and
young professionals to develop leadership skills and connect with industry leaders.

With the theme “Build Your Own Road,” this year's Summit focused on embracing discomfort, challenging the status quo, and leading with conviction to create change.

In his keynote address, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams spoke about the
importance of questioning assumptions and imagining a better world, then working to make it a
reality.

A highlight was the leadership career panel, where attendees heard from role models across
industries discuss their journeys, leadership strategies, and decision-making. As panelist Donna
M. Wilson, President of Strategic Intersections LLC, stated: “Do not wait for the system to
change - be the change. Transform from within to build the world you seek.”

Attendees also engaged in immersive workshops on topics like e-commerce, art of engagement,
financial literacy, banking and credit understanding, community health, STEM, and more.

“Our goal is to inspire and equip the next generation of diverse leaders with practical skills to
drive impact,” said Roads to Success CEO Sheila Duke. “Judging by the energy and engagement
of attendees, the future is undoubtedly bright.”
​
Roads to Success is a nonprofit dedicated to youth and young adult empowerment through
leadership development, mentorship, and college access programs. The Annual Leadership
Summit bolsters the skills of young leaders nationwide.

About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org)​

The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take
control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given
a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to
thrive.

Contact:
Vidhi Guleria
Marketing & Communications Manager
vidhi@roadstosuccess.org

With great excitement, Roads to Success (RTS) welcomes Mrs. Esther Kuykendoll as the Chief Administrative Officer. She will lead the organization's Human Resources, Development, Compliance, and Operations. Esther is familiar to many at RTS, having served as a Senior Program Director in this organization a few years ago.
Esther is a seasoned youth service leader with a passion for stewardship in under-resourced communities. She has worked for the last 15 years with some of the most reputable nonprofit organizations in the country. Esther has experience across youth service, including managing privately funded, feed-based youth programs in New York and New Jersey, and grant-funded programs with contracts totaling over $6 million. She has worked and served the East Harlem community for the last three years.

Mrs. Sheila Duke, CEO-RTS said, ‘’We are energized to have Esther Kuykendoll on RTS team. She is deeply committed to improving the lives of youth. She brings an understanding of managing large teams, setting strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills to build donor and volunteer resources at RTS. I know we'll accomplish great things together with her expertise and dedication.

Earlier in her career, Esther worked in youth services for organizations such as Harlem Children’s Zone, Goodwill Industries, The YMCA of Greater New York, and two nonprofit organizations in Tokyo, Japan; Refugees International Japan and Hands on Tokyo. She holds an M.A. in Urban Policy and Administration from Brooklyn College and a B.A. in Media and Communications from SUNY Old Westbury.

Effective May 15th, 2023, Esther is very excited to lead the team at RTS into the future of immense possibilities. “I’m excited to work with the RTS CEO Mrs. Sheila Duke and the team, to help Roads to Success and all the youth associated with it, achieve its strategic goals.” – Esther Kuykendoll

About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org)
The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive.
 
Contact: 
Vidhi Guleria 
Marketing & Communications Manager
vidhi@roadstosuccess.org

NYC, NY, February 28th, 2023
Roads To Success (RTS) has been named an Official Charity Partner for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 5. RTS will be among more than 550 official charity partners providing thousands of runners the opportunity to run in the world’s biggest and boldest marathon.
 
The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the city’s most anticipated and iconic annual sporting events, attracting runners and spectators of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities from around the world. More than 50,000 runners are expected this year after the race returned to full capacity last year.

"The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most exciting days of the year and thanks to our incredible Charity Partners, it is also one of the most impactful and purposeful sporting events in the world'', said Christine Burke, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, NYRR. "New York Road Runners is proud to support the Roads To Success team and the incredible impact they have made to the communities as they raise important funds to benefit their mission of empowering youth and build future leaders."
 
“We are excited and thrilled to be one of the amazing Charity Partners. TCS New York City Marathon allows organizations such as RTS to amplify our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity and excited to cheer for all the runners onboard!” said Sheila Duke, Chief Executive Officer, RTS.
 
The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services. Participating charities can offer guaranteed entry to runners who fundraise on their behalf.
 
About Roads to Success (RTS)
The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive.
To learn more, visit www.roadstosuccess.org
 
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
 
Contact:
Roads To Success
Vidhi Guleria
Marketing & Communications Manager
vidhi@roadstosuccess.org
 
NYRR Media Relations
Stuart Lieberman
(c): 646-770-6987
(e): slieberman@nyrr.org
​

​New York City, NY, Feb 2nd, 2023 – Roads To Success (RTS) announces the appointment of Mrs. Sheila Duke (Wilson-Wells) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mrs. Duke will succeed Ms. Lisa Recio, who has led RTS for the past ten years. 
During the past several months, the Board of Directors of RTS engaged in a comprehensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer to further the mission of creating a world where all young people have equal access to a successful future.   The unanimous decision of the Board was followed by an extensive recruitment process.  
 
Prior to joining RTS, Sheila was the Chief Program Officer at the Fresh Air Fund. She has also held the title of Associate Executive Director of Early Childhood & Youth programs at Union Settlement Association and was responsible for overseeing a portfolio of over $10 million in public and private funding impacting several thousand children and families. She previously managed summer, elementary and college access for all programs at New York Edge.  She is a native New Yorker, and a passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive socially just communities. Sheila is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as the 1st Vice President of her local NAACP branch. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Old Westbury and a Master of Science in Non-Profit Leadership from Fordham University.  
 
“I am thrilled to announce that we have selected Sheila Duke to fill this critical role. Sheila is a seasoned veteran within the youth programs space, with a strong track record of managing teams and programs.” said Mr. Gregorio Concha-Toro, Chair, RTS Board of Directors.  
On behalf of the Board, he further said, “We are honored and privileged to have such a talented and inspiring leader joining our community and look forward to introducing Sheila to all of you in the near future. Throughout her career, Sheila has shaped and advocated on a diverse set of issues, including summer restoration campaigns, early childhood education, ethics, police accountability, and preventative services. We would like to thank everyone who was part of this journey in helping advance our mission, with particular recognition of Lisa Recio and her executive team for the impact they have made on countless youths' lives for many years.” 
 
Mrs. Sheila Duke said, “What an honor to serve as Roads to Success’s incoming CEO, I look forward to working alongside the Board of Directors and entire Team as we continue the mission to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. At RTS we believe every young person has a right to access an equitable pathway of success and every day I will strive to make that mission a reality in the lives of the youth, school’s families and communities we serve.” 
 
Mrs. Sheila Duke assumed the role of CEO of RTS in January 2023 and will be based in the organization’s headquarters in New York City. 
 
About Roads to Success – (www.roadstosuccess.org)
The mission of Roads to Success is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a future where youth from all backgrounds are given a fair and equitable chance to be inspired, connected, and to discover their own path to thrive.
 
####
Contact: 
Vidhi Guleria
Marketing & Communications Manager
vidhi@roadstosuccess.org 

Youth in the Mott Haven section in the South Bronx face difficult odds because of extreme poverty, crime, health concerns, and pervasive literacy deficits in their community. When we began our partnership with Young Leaders Elementary School (YLE) P.S. 369 in 2015, our students were no exception.
 
At the beginning of our partnership, only 3% of YLE third graders were proficiently reading at a third grade level. According to the National Assessment of Educational Process, reading proficiently by the end of third grade can be a make-or-break benchmark in a child’s educational development. It is at this point when students begin to apply their reading skills to learn other subjects. A lack of reading proficiency can cause a child to feel frustrated in school which can lead to a downward spiral of learning and behavioral issues. Moreover, almost 1/5 of children who do not read by third grade will not graduate high school. Those incarcerated are about 80% non-graduates. 

In response to this crisis, we made a promise to YLE's new Principal, Jaleelah Cooke, to facilitate high-quality programming designed to extend the school day beyond 3pm, creating a positive learning environment of belonging and perseverance to boost literacy levels in the school.

​Our approach included:
(1) Literacy-infused arts education
(2) Organized phonics and site word recognition activities
(3) English language call-and-response cheers and songs
(4) Facilitation of the iRead software program
(5) Increasing enrollment in Saturday test prep by planning incentives such as field trips and fun events for students and families who attended

By addressing the 3pm-6pm hours, parents were empowered to find or maintain employment by having their childcare needs satisfied.

After 5 years, third graders at YLE exceeded the New York statewide English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency average of 45% with a rate approaching 60%. According to Principal Cooke, our program was "the consistent staple which contributed to the success of rising third graders" at YLE, despite inconsistent funding sources available from the government or other funders. 

What the progress of these resilient, young South Bronx residents  demonstrated to us was that with access to the proper tools, resources and encouragement, our young people can succeed and reach their full potential, even surpassing the accomplishments or wealthier peers throughout the state. 

We do not doubt that our young people can succeed in their endeavors when given the proper access to resources, guidance and support. Unfortunately this is the obstacle that many of our youth face. That is why we have made it our mission to instill inspiration and empowerment in all of our programs - to close this gap and help young people take control of their future. 

Contribute to our year-end campaign and help remove the obstacles our youth are facing by providing them with access to the resources and opportunities that match their current needs. ​

The online virtual event welcomes Griffin Matthews, Writer, Director, Activist and Actor as the Keynote Speaker. Matthews is the founder of UgandaProject, a nonprofit organization that sponsors the education of orphans living in Uganda. Matthews is a television actor appearing in 'Dear White People' and 'The Flight Attendant' on HBO Max. 

The event will feature:

• College panel with students and representatives from both private and public schools
• Four career panels featuring professionals from various industries and companies such as PwC, JP Morgan Chase, and The Wharton School. Youth will be able to connect and network with professional artists, entrepreneurs, engineers, sports agents and more.
  ​
  

“Our main goal is to instill the idea that ‘yes, you can go to college’ which is not something all youth are exposed to,” says Kachina Respress-Pierce, Director of Education at Roads to Success. “We want to inspire young people to start planning their futures by connecting them with positive role models and having an open and honest dialogue about college, career, and the life lessons learned along the way.”

Build Your Own Road will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 11a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET via Zoom. The event is free and open to all teens, young adults, parents and educators.

Please visit www.roadstosuccess.org/youth-leadership to register, or contact Kachina Respress-Pierce, Director of Education at kachina@roadstosuccess.org with any questions regarding the event including partnership and volunteer opportunities.

About Roads to Success
The mission of Roads to Success (RTS) is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. RTS aims on improving the financial position of young people who have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Program offerings include after-school programs, summer camp, leadership conferences, youth employment opportunities, college access and career development. www.roadstosuccess.org
​
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Contact:
Davis Connelly
Director of Development
davis@roadstosuccess.org