$10k for 10 Years of Girls Rock! Rochester

Our Story

Girls Rock! Rochester is celebrating 10 years of working with the power of music to empower girls and LGBTQ+ youth. We have grown so much in the past 10 years—from our first Girls Rock! camp with just 18 campers to multiple year-round programs, including Pride Rock! camp and Rock Roulette, that support our mission. Girls Rock! has built a safe space for youth and mentors to find their voices and express themselves through music, and we are so excited to continue to learn and grow together.

This 10 year anniversary is occurring amongst irregular circumstances, and because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need your support more than ever. We experienced a major loss in revenue since the beginning of the pandemic because we have been unable to hold our traditional events and operate to our fullest capacity. This year, to date, we have made 54% of what we typically generate in a fiscal year; our fiscal year ends August 31st. We need your help to bridge this gap and sustain Girls Rock! through the rest of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an urgent need for social justice and change, and we hope to empower the next generation through our Girls Rock! values and mission. We counter oppression by working to build confidence and community in those who often feel silenced through educational workshops, as well as encouraging inclusive conversations about identity, diversity, and understanding one another. We believe that music is a powerful vehicle for personal growth and positive change, and the Girls Rock! community is dedicated to providing youth with the tools to make this change happen.

It is more important than ever to have spaces that value self-expression and emotional connection. Music can act as an escape and a powerful medium to build relationships with others. The pandemic has caused increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, and we recognize the power of music to break down these walls and reconnect us with each other. We are grateful to be able to hold limited in-person mini-camps this summer, and we hope to return to our usual programming in 2022.

Where does your contribution go?

Financial Aid $5000 (50%): With accessibility being one of our core values, we are committed to including all youth in camp, regardless of their ability to pay. Our scholarship fund is critical for us to be able to provide financial aid to current and future campers who need it.

Camp supplies and instruments $3000 (30%): We want to provide the best experience possible for every camper involved, and therefore, we invest in instruments and supplies for all. With yearly wear and tear, it's important that we are able to replenish and sustain our instrument collection so that every kid can have their rockstar moment!

Utilities $860 (8.6%): Utilities are important in terms of providing a well taken care of camp environment.

Space rental $830 (8.3%): Girls Rock! needs a home! We use our office space to plan events and store all of our instruments and supplies year-round. This year, we are also hosting camp in our Girls Rock! office.

Showcase: $310 (3.1%): The showcase is the cultivation of every camper's hard work! We need funding so that we can put on our show (though this year, it's a little different) and make this experience as riveting and magical for the kids as possible.

Testimonials

To celebrate our ten years, we've included some testimonials from campers, staff and parents who joined the Girls Rock! community:

"The community I’ve found at GR!R is one I never imagined could be a reality. Their support has made me who I am today" - Girls Rock! and Pride Rock! camper

“If you are a young person struggling to find your place in the world, if you are struggling to feel powerful, validated, and accepted, if you are frustrated with the way the world pushes you down, or if you just want to play some totally rad tunes with a group of some of the most fantastic people, GR!R is where you need to be.”- Girls Rock! and Pride Rock! camper

"I left the stage knowing that THIS was a highlight of my life."

- Rock Roulette participant

"At the end of the week, when I heard the bands, especially a camper whom I helped a very little bit on the guitar, as he rocked out, I was moved to tears, as all the volunteers told me would happen. I've often thought if these campers are feeling anything like what I'm feeling in this space, this is a beautiful and precious thing we are all doing together." - Girls Rock! volunteer

"My child has been blessed to be a scholarship camper two years in a row now. He looks SO incredibly forward to this camp. For a week in my son's life, his burdens seem lifted, we don't have to worry that he will be ostracized or judged for being himself, have his feelings hurt or be unable to chill out if he gets overwhelmed. I can relax for once because I know that he is TRULY among a loving, caring FAMILY that accepts him the way he is without caveats or judgments." - Pride Rock! parent