Monroe County Library System, NY

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Greater Rochester Youth ReadCommunity ConnectionsCollege ConnectionsTeen Health & WellnessVolunteer at the LibraryTeen HomeRecommended Reads

The Greater Rochester Youth Read (GRYR, formerly GRTR) is an annual event when librarians across the Monroe County Library System encourage teens and adults to read the same young adult novel and invite the community to meet the featured authors at libraries, schools, and teen centers, around the Rochester area, reaching hundreds of students and educators.

This Year’s Featured Author

This year (2024) marks the 14th program! We are excited to welcome author Veera Hiranandani!

Public Library Visits

Mendon Public Library – Tues, 10/22, 6:30-7:30
Webster Public Library – Weds, 10/23, 6-7

Greater Rochester Youth Read 2024 is generously sponsored by the Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library, the Monroe County Library System, Friends of Brighton Memorial Library, Friends of Gates Public Library, Friends of Irondequoit Public Library, Friends of Mendon Public Library, Friends of Webster Public Library.

Get the book
At the Library
In Libby

Previous GRTR authors have included:

GRTR is an event focused on encouraging all of the community to read the same book and is in connection with Teen Read Week™, the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Many copies of the book, including others by the authors, are available at libraries across Monroe County.

The Center for Youth

Center For Youth

905 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
24 Hour Crisis Line, 585-271-7670

Shelter, Housing & Crisis Services
Crisis Nurseries, Permanent & Transitional Housing, Emergency Shelter, Safe Harbour, Street Outreach, and Nook Food Security Cupboard.

School-Based and Commitment to Youth Development
New Beginning School, School Based Services, Learn2Earn: Workforce Development, Rochester Teen Court, Strings For Success, and EarthWorks.

Lakeshore Community Church

https://lakeshorechurch.org/younglives/

SUPPORTING PREGNANT TEENS AND TEEN MOMS
YoungLives provides friendship and emotional support for pregnant teens and teen moms. meeting with each mom and mentoring them through their pregnancy and through their journey called motherhood.
Serving moms 13 to 21 years of age. If you need items for you or your baby, please feel free to contact them. All services are free and confidential.

Writers and Books

Youth Programs

740 University Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
General info: office@wab.org

Writers & Books promotes reading and writing as lifelong activities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enrich their lives and the intellectual, social, and cultural vibrancy of their communities.

Teen Writing & Publishing Opportunities

Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester

Our Programs

500 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY 14611,
Phone: 585-328-3077

Rochester Curling Club

71 Deep Rock Road, Rochester NY 14624
(585) 235-8246

The Rochester Curling Club welcomes young people 8 to 21 years old to our Juniors and Youth Program. Our club’s junior program gives instruction and coaching to all levels of interest.

Rochester Youth Leadership Coalition

https://rocthefuture.org/youth-leadership-coalition/

Rochester Youth Climate Leaders

https://www.585rycl.org/

Prepare

https://www.act.org/
ACT is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Grounded in more than 60 years of research, ACT is a trusted leader in college and career readiness.

https://www.ets.org/
Research, assessments, and learning solutions to inform decisions and create opportunities for learners around the world.

https://www.collegeboard.org/
College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.

https://www.chariotlearning.com/

Choose a School

How to choose a college in 2023
Students around the country are taking on huge amounts of debt to get access to the education they want and need. By enabling students to fund their education through exclusive funding opportunities, Bold.org broadens access to that education in an affordable and sustainable way.

Common App is a non-profit membership organization representing more than 1,000 diverse institutions of higher education. Who connects applicants and those who support them to a wide array of public and private colleges and universities across all 50 U.S. states, and 20 countries.

Pros and Cons of Using the Common App to Apply for Colleges– By Hilary Cairns – Last updated on December 22, 2022

https://www.collegexpress.com/– Since 1995, our mission has been to help connect students with the right schools for them. Join thousands of other students and start your search with CollegeXpress.

https://thebestschools.org/resources/applying-to-college/how-to-apply-for-college/

Everything You Need to Know About Applying to College by TheBestSchools.org Staff Updated November 2, 2022

https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/colleges-with-no-application-fee/

2023 Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America

https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

Supports students through a search and enrollment process that best positions them for college success

APPLY

https://www.coursera.org/articles/applying-for-college

Applying to College: Your Step-by-Step Guide- Written by Coursera • Updated on Jun 15, 2023

https://www.mefa.org/blog/understanding-different-types-college-applications

Understanding the Different Types of College Applications. Types include The Common Application, The Universal Application, Individual College Applications, The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success Application, and A Shared Application for a System of Colleges. -Nicole Kelman-

https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/applying-for-college/

How to Apply for College | Timeline, Templates & Checklist

Published on October 18, 2021 by Kirsten Courault. Revised on May 31, 2023

Financial

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/ -We explain the ins and outs of student financial aid and repaying loans to help you make smarter decisions about how to pay for school.

https://www.ed.gov/ – ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

https://studentaid.gov/ – Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, work-study, and loan funds to students attending college or career school.

https://www.usa.gov/education – Find information about Federal Student Aid for college, how to study in the U.S., and libraries.

https://www.ncaa.org/index.aspx – The NCAA is a member-led organization focused on cultivating an environment that emphasizes academics, fairness and well-being across college sports.

https://www.fastweb.com/ – The leading scholarship database, our platform is designed to simplify the scholarship search for high school and college students. No more digging to find scholarships you qualify for. Students create a profile and get personalized scholarship recommendations.

https://finaid.org/ – Information on financial aid for college and tips on how to help ease the burden of college expenses.

On Campus

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/ways-to-prepare-for-your-freshman-year-of-college

12 Ways to Prepare for Your Freshman Year of College Students should follow these steps so they’re ready when classes begin. By Travis Mitchell, Emma Kerr, and Josh Moody – July 13, 2021, at 2:14 p.m.

https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/get-started

Thinking about a 4-year college but not sure whether it’s right for you? This is the place to start! Learn more about what happens during college, why it matters for your future, and the wide range of students who have chosen to attend.

https://www.yourcollegeconnector.com/top-10-things-students-must-know-before-starting-college/

Top 10 Things Students Must Know Before Starting College – 26 June, 2018 Maite Halley

https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/first-year-college-checklist/

A Complete First-Year College Checklist: Are you truly ready for college? Start your first year of higher ed like a pro with this comprehensive college preparation checklist. By Staff Writers – Updated on August 8, 2022

https://blog.campusgroups.com/campusgroups/2021/5/25/tips-to-support-first-year-students

12 Tips to Support First-Year Students on Your Campus – July 27, 2021, Stephanie Chandra

For Parents

https://www.collegiateparent.com/family-life/surviving-the-early-weeks-as-a-new-college-parent/

Surviving the early weeks as a new college parent -Suzanne Shaffer-

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-parents-can-support-the-adjustment-to-college

How Parents Can Support the Adjustment to College. College-goers and their parents should talk about communication expectations, academic challenges, and safety. By Sarah Wood | May 30, 2023, at 3:21 p.m.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/15-things-parents-of-firs_b_7983330

15 Things Parents of First-Year College Students Should Never Do By Harlan Cohen, Contributor, Author, Speaker, Syndicated Advice Columnist. Aug 13, 2015, 05:21 PM EDT |Updated Dec 6, 2017

2-1-1 Life Line: For urgent personal needs, such as emergency food, shelter, clothing, crisis counseling, substance abuse issues, employment, financial and legal issues, and physical and mental health needs. Available 24 hours a day, seven days per week:

Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-FLNY2-1-1 (1-877-356-9211)

or chat online at https://www.211lifeline.org/

9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. Call or text 9-8-8 or Chat online https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

CENTER FOR ADOLESCENT & YOUNG ADULT HEALTH

1081 Long Pond Rd, Ste. 240 Rochester, NY 14626

(585) 225-2600

https://www.cayah.org/

The Center for Youth

905 Monroe Ave Rochester 14620

(585) 271-7670 at

https://www.centerforyouth.net/about-2/

Compeer Rochester

https://www.compeerrochester.org/

Kids Thrive 585

https://kidsthrive585.org

NAMI Rochester: provides support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families of all cultural backgrounds who are living with mental illness.

https://www.namiroc.org/

Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24
Trevor Lifeline: (866) 488-7386
TrevorText: text Start to 678678 – confidential text messaging with a counselor, available 24/7
WebChat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Additional Health and Human Services

Offer your help and make a difference by volunteering at the library and gaining job experience!
A number of MCLS Member libraries offer volunteer opportunities for teens throughout the year. Some examples of what teens do as volunteers include becoming a children’s program assistant, keeping statistics, straightening bookshelves,

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at each of the following member libraries by visiting their website.