Westmont Magazine ROCK Gets Rolling

Inspired by a vision to enrich the lives of San Francisco’s children, Michelle Desjarlais ‘90 founded ROCK, “Real Options for City Kids,” in 1994. She now serves as executive director of the non-profit organization, whose “mission…is to listen attentively to the needs of children and to direct programs that nurture areas critical to their positive development.”

Working collaboratively with local schools, businesses, and neighborhoods, ROCK provides school-linked and after-school programs in the areas of literacy, recreation, and sports. With names like “Kids at Heart,” “Little Great Ones,” “Authors in the Schools,” and “Kids Beat!,” these programs have provided opportunities for more than 1,000 of San Francisco’s city children to “develop skills, form close relationships, and safely explore new ideas.” Heidi Zellweger ‘96 is directing ROCK’s summer camp in San Francisco.