What is Operation Transformation?

The mission of Operation Transformation is to dramatically reduce the number of African-American males in Rochester, NY who are sitting at home, on the streets, or involved in illegal activities due to a lack of job opportunities because they dropped out of high school.

Operation Transformation is a comprehensive program which is designed to assist African-American male high school dropouts in Rochester to make the transition from dropout to a successful career within a 6-24 month period, depending on the individual.

The program is the brainchild of Rochester City Council president Lovely Warren and Monroe County Legislator Willie Joe Lightfoot, and is run in partnership with the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (R.E.O.C.), Rochester Mentors, Community Place of Greater Rochester, R.I.S.E. Youth Connections, Action for a Better Community, Monroe County Legal Assistance Center, and local businesses.

How will they accomplish that goal?

Operation Transformation will significantly impact the lives of African-American male high school dropouts in Rochester by providing the following:

• GED preparation to help participants pass the GED exam.
• Career training in fields like barbering, chef, security guard, pharmacy tech, and many more.
• Mentoring to provide encouragement and support.
• “Empowerment seminars” to help promote life change.  Sample topics include “Financial literacy”, “Job interview preparation”, and “Dealing with past legal issues”.
• Assistance finding a job in their chosen vocation.

How much does it cost?

That’s the best part.  Operation Transformation is tuition-free!  So program participants don’t have to worry about whether they can afford it or not.

We are offering vocational training in fields that would cost thousands of dollars if they were pursued at a traditional vocational school or community college.

More importantly, we are providing a support network to help you succeed.  If you want to change your life, we are making every effort to make that goal attainable for you.

Why do it now?

The standards for the G.E.D. exam are scheduled to be raised next year.  That means that getting your G.E.D. is about to become much more difficult.  We encourage anyone who is considering taking the G.E.D. exam to do so before the new standards are implemented.

How do I sign up?

There will be three enrollment sessions.  You MUST attend one of the three sessions in order to be in the program.

The dates and times for the enrollment sessions are as follows:

• Saturday February 2, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Church of Love Faith Center (700 Exchange Street).
• Saturday February 2, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Avenue D Community Center (200 Avenue D).
• Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the new Rochester Educational Opportunity Center in downtown Rochester (161 Chestnut Street).

At the enrollment session, you will be required to fill out some application paperwork.  The process should take no more than 15-20 minutes.

It is preferable to enroll during one of the two enrollment sessions on Saturday February 2nd, because all applicants will have to attend a 3 hour orientation session from 8:30a.m – 12:00 noon on February 9th.  If you DO apply on the 9th, be sure to arrive at 8:30 a.m.  Then you will be able to go through the orientation on that day. But if you arrive after 9:00 a.m., then you will have to attend a make-up session on Tuesday, February 12th.

What comes next? 

Once you enroll in the program, there will be a one-time evaluation test that you will have to take in order to assess how much work you will require in order to pass the G.E.D. exam.  That will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  The test is MANDATORY.  Be sure to arrive on time, and bring a valid state-issued ID.

After we grade your test, we will determine how much work will be required to help you earn your G.E.D.  Some people will be ready to take the G.E.D. test immediately.  Others will need some preparation in order to successfully pass the exam.

Upon completion of the G.E.D., participants will be given the option of enrolling in a tuition-free vocational program to put you on the path towards a promising career.