Friends of Rochester International Academy
Make A Difference In Our School Community Today
About Us
RIA's mission is to provide newly arrived English language learners with an instructional program that simultaneously facilitates acquisition of the English language, content knowledge, and academic skills. The Rochester International Academy also emphasizes the importance of social and emotional supports in an academic setting, home-school connections, and community involvement.
About Friends of RIA
The Friends of Rochester International Academy, Inc. d.b.a. Friends of RIA, is a charitable organization established to support quality education programs for every student attending the Rochester International Academy. Friends of RIA has been approved for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Friends of RIA Mission
- To fund student scholarships, special events, critical student needs, and extracurricular activities through gifts and donations received from Friends of RIA members and RIA well wishers.
- To act as a voice for RIA and advocate for RIA in matters critical for the school's success and growth.
- To support the long-term academic and professional growth of RIA students and graduates through career guidance and counseling, connections to job-focused education and training programs, and supporting job placement in local companies.
Friends of RIA Board of Directors
Friends of RIA is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Some of the Board of Directors are RIA Advisory Board members of the school; others are from various segments of the community. The time and energy these individuals devote to the Friends of RIA is rooted in deep pride and abiding commitment to help RIA students become successful scholars and engaged citizens.
Current Friends of RIA Board of Directors include:
- Ed Donnelly - Chair/Director, Friends of RIA, Inc.; Volunteer with Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services
- Carla Stough Huffman – Treasurer/Director, Independent Educational Consultant
- Meera Sampath, PhD - Secretary/Director, Associate Dean of Research, Thomas J Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Binghamton University
- Mary Andrecolich-Montesano - Ex Officio Director, Principal of the Rochester International Academy
- Sam Consagra - Ex Officio Director, RIA Administrator/Project Implementation Specialist
- Katie DeFazio, Ex Officio Director, RIA Administrator/Project Implementation Specialist
Friends of RIA Members *
Currently, RIA Advisory Board Members who also support Friends of RIA include:
- Getachew Beshir - Director, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
- Karla Boyce - Mental Health Crisis Therapist, Dept of Psychology, University of Rochester Medical Center
- Maureen Boorum - University of Rochester Medical Center, Mt. Hope Family Center
- Mike Coniff - CEO, Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services
- Rui Cheng, PhD - Director of TESOL at Nazareth College of Rochester
- Enid DeJesus-Lopez - Director of Transition Systems, Rochester City School District
- Christina Gray - Deputy Chief of Staff for New York State Senator Samra Brouk
- Jennifer Grimes - Assistant Principal, Victor Senior High School
- Alisa Hathaway, Ed.D - University of Rochester Medical Center, Mt. Hope Family Center
- Beth Messner, Volunteer/Educator, Saint's Place
- Moses Robinson - Community Liaison Officer, Rochester Police Department
- Bonnie Rubenstein, PhD - University of Rochester, Warner School of Education
- Chojy Schroeder - Retired Rochester City School District ENL Teacher
- Hairong Shang-Butler, PhD - Associate Professor, University of Rochester, Warner School of Education
*If you believe in RIA's mission and would like to join a large, diverse group of committed people who are interested in supporting the RIA, its students, and their parents, please consider becoming a Friends of RIA Member.
RIA school leaders, teachers, Advisory Board members, graduates, current/former parents, and community members may all serve as Friends of RIA members!
We invite you partner with us by sharing your time, talent, and/or resources. What better way to assure the future of these students, their families, and our community?
Join Friends of RIA
- Friends of RIA, Rochester International Academy, 1 Edgerton Park, Rochester, NY 14608
Donate to Help RIA Students
"Honoring our Roots and Branching Towards the Future."
Donations can be started online by clicking the DONATION button on the right. This will let us know you're interested in making a donation. We will follow up by phone call, email, or you can call us directly. Or use Venmo, PayPal or DAFs described below.
Tax-deductible gifts to the Friends of RIA, Inc. can also be made by mailing a check payable to "Friends of RIA, Inc." to the following address:
Friends of RIA, Inc.
c/o Ed Donnelly
2 Argyle St. Apt #1
Rochester, New York 14607
Venmo: User Name is @EFDonnelly, Ed will email or mail a thank you-donation receipt letter. Real easy and no fees
PayPal & Credit Cards: Easy to donate with this link to Friends of RIA's Paypal.
Donor Advised Funds (DAF): If you are giving through a charitable investment account (like Fidelity Charitable), look up "Make A Grant -> Find Charity" and enter our Federal EIN #84-3592331 or enter Friends of RIA and you'll find us!
All options work great! Venmo, checks, and DAFs charge no fees, which is preferred. PayPal & Credit Cards are easy, & they keep 2.2%, a reduced fee for non-profits. With all options I directly transfer funds to Friends of RIA's bank account and send out a confirmation/thank you letter or email.
Thank you for your support! ~Ed Donnelly, Friends of RIA Chairperson
Tax-deductible gifts to the Friends of RIA, Inc. can also be made by mailing a check payable to "Friends of RIA, Inc." to the following address:
Friends of RIA, Inc.
c/o Ed Donnelly
2 Argyle St. Apt #1
Rochester, New York 14607
Venmo: User Name is @EFDonnelly, Ed will email or mail a thank you-donation receipt letter. Real easy and no fees
PayPal & Credit Cards: Easy to donate with this link to Friends of RIA's Paypal.
Donor Advised Funds (DAF): If you are giving through a charitable investment account (like Fidelity Charitable), look up "Make A Grant -> Find Charity" and enter our Federal EIN #84-3592331 or enter Friends of RIA and you'll find us!
All options work great! Venmo, checks, and DAFs charge no fees, which is preferred. PayPal & Credit Cards are easy, & they keep 2.2%, a reduced fee for non-profits. With all options I directly transfer funds to Friends of RIA's bank account and send out a confirmation/thank you letter or email.
Thank you for your support! ~Ed Donnelly, Friends of RIA Chairperson
$100
About The Rochester International Academy
About RIA
The Rochester International Academy (RIA) was created in 2011 by Mary Andrecolich-Montesano-Diaz for newcomer students who: recently arrived to the US; enrolled in Rochester City School District; speaking a low-incidence language with little to no English language exposure and/or with interrupted formal education. RIAis a transitional program for English Language Learners in grades K-12.
Mission Statement:
The Rochester International Academy is designed to facilitate the cultural and academic transition of newly arrived English Language Learners through rigorous language instruction and interdisciplinary learning in collaboration with families and community.
Vision Statem
ent:RIA students will learn English to be successful scholars and to have full access to College and/or Career Opportunities.
RIA's Mantra:
"Today I am somebody special and soon I will be somebody great by the decisions that I make.""Honoring our Roots and Branching Towards the Future."
"Honoring our Roots and Branching Towards the Future."
RIA News & Events
Usually around this time of year RIA is preparing for its annual holiday spectacular! Students are engaged in learning about American traditions such as caroling, cookie decorating, and the gift of giving! In past years, Friends of RIA has provided each student with a new blanket & pillow, new or gently used book(s), a hat & gloves, & warm socks, & a stuffed animal! We will be collecting donations through the Monday before Holiday Recess. All donations can be dropped off at: Rochester International Academy 1 Edgerton Park Rochester, New York 14608 Monetary donations can also be made directly on this Friends of RIA website's donation page. You can add a note that your donation is for the Holiday Donation Drive, and we'll do the shopping!!Read More
- Date: 12/2/2024 10:12 PM - 12/2/2024 10:12 PM
- Location: 1 Edgerton Park, Rochester, NY, USA (Map)
- More Info: Rochester International Academy
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