City Roots Community Land Trust & FPGROC: Partnership Announcement!

City Roots Community Land Trust and Family Promise of Greater Rochester are delighted to announce a new partnership! This summer, Family Promise of Greater Rochester plans to take ownership of two multi-family residential properties in the City of Rochester currently owned by City Roots CLT. These properties will become long-term transitional housing for families exiting homelessness in our community. One property, located in the Marketview Heights neighborhood, has four separate three-bedroom units. The other property, located in the Beechwood neighborhood, has four rental units of various sizes and two ground floor commercial spaces. This partnership will ensure that these properties become true assets in our community.

Family Promise of Greater Rochester (FPGROC) plans to renovate both buildings, adding the residential units to their existing Transitional Housing Program, rolled out in 2023. FPGROC’s holistic services - eviction prevention, diversion, shelter, stabilization case management, and now transitional housing - allow the organization to provide the full scope of homelessness and prevention services. Families in transitional housing pay at- or below-market rent for up to two years and receive long-term case management services in the form of referrals, tangible goods, and advocacy. The primary reason families experience homelessness in Greater Rochester is due to a lack of decent, equitable, and affordable housing; the Transitional Housing Program is a natural next step for FPGROC in addressing family homelessness in the Rochester community.

City Roots will be donating the properties to FPGROC in exchange for a deed restriction on the properties that will give City Roots a right of first refusal to purchase the properties at 70% of their market value should FPGROC ever choose to sell them. This restriction will ensure that both of these properties will remain affordable housing for our community long term. It also facilitates a lasting relationship between our two organizations, and with the future residents of both properties. City Roots first purchased these properties in 2021 as part of a larger acquisition of deeply distressed rental properties across our city. In March of 2023, City Roots began a significant process of restructuring its real estate portfolio, which affected both of these buildings. The organization is so excited to see the project it began with these two buildings continue with FPGROC. Our community deeply needs the housing that Family Promise of Greater Rochester will be able to provide upon completion of renovations.

A note from Lorraine

Dear friends,

From left to right: Lorraine, Kim, Lyanette, Beth, and Sonya (not pictured: Aisha) overlooking High Falls after Lorraine's going away lunch.

​I wanted to let you know that I am leaving my position as Prevention Case Manager at Family Promise of Greater Rochester. It has truly been a blessing to have worked here since February 2019. This is absolutely the best work environment that anyone could ask for.  That’s because it starts from the top with our Director, Kim, who is simply the whole package: knowledgeable, supportive, inspiring, experienced, and compassionate, not to mention an outstanding director.  And the whole team together with Lyanette, Aisha, Beth, and Sonya – they are the best!  We also have an amazing Board of Directors, who are very invested, engaged, and supportive.​ 

I also want to take this moment to thank the many, many volunteers and supporters of Family Promise - such faithful, kind, generous, self-less human beings you are. You are so vital to the work and mission of Family Promise.  This organization is so grateful for your continuous support especially with so many exciting changes on the horizon.

My last day is June 2 and I’m looking forward to focusing on a similar type of work with my church. Although I am leaving FPGROC, I’m not saying good bye, as I will continue to stay connected on a volunteer basis.  

With much gratitude,
Lorraine Whitehouse

*NEW* Transitional Housing Program

Greetings!

Volunteers from ROC Missions in front of 142 Webster Ave.

Family Promise of Greater Rochester is excited to be part of the Beechwood neighborhood permanently! On Friday, March 17, we purchased 142 Webster Avenue where our Day Center has been located since 2017. The first floor will continue as the hub for case management, office work, and community gathering. With laundry, storage, and a full kitchen, it is a welcome space for staff, families, and volunteers. 

The apartments on the second floor will become the new Transitional Housing Program which will add to the ways FPGROC already assists families to achieve sustainable independence. Together, these holistic services - eviction prevention, shelter diversion, shelter, stabilization case management, and now housing - will allow us to provide the full scope of homelessness and prevention services.

The number one reason families experience homelessness in Greater Rochester and across the country is a lack of decent, equitable, and affordable housing.[1] For every 100 individuals or families living on a very low income in Rochester, there are only 27 housing units available, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.[2] Given this reality, the Transitional Housing Program is a natural next step in addressing family homelessness.

Families in the program will pay an affordable rent and build skills and confidence by accessing community resources on financial education, credit repair, and employment stability. Some of these families will even work toward home ownership.

The purchase of the building and our new program wouldn’t be possible without key partnerships with two local property managers: FGB Property Management and RocOn Property Management. Max and Blake Gianniny (FGB) have been gracious landlords and supporters, and we are grateful to Orlando Ortiz (RocOn Property Management) from whom FPGROC rents six apartments in the community for the Shelter Program.

Settling into our new home and program provides an opportunity for community support – here’s how you can help!

• Make a donation to assist us in a needed facelift to the upstairs apartments and back hallway. Projects include new carpet, updated appliances, drywall finishing, and more. These contributions will also support the ongoing maintenance we previously outsourced to our landlord as well as stabilization services for the Transitional Housing Program. Send a check marked “housing” or give online at www.fpgroc.org/housing.

• Join us for a Second Saturday and volunteer your time and talent painting, installing drywall, ripping up carpet, and other tasks. Learn more about and RSVP for the next Second Saturday at www.fpgroc.org/second-saturday.

If you are interested in visiting our new building and the renovated Transitional Housing Program space near the end of May, please reach out to set up a time for you or your group to come by.

Family Promise of Greater Rochester would not exist without you, the community. From our founding in 2004 based on the interfaith model of gracious hospitality, to the donors, volunteers, and advocates who see an opportunity to make change for the better for families facing homelessness today, thank you.

Here’s to the next chapter of our journey together, ensuring affordable, decent, equitable housing is seen as a human right and every family has a place to call home.

With gratitude,

Kim Hunt-Uzelac, LMSW, Executive Director
Andrew Rath, Board Chair

P.S.: Mark your calendar for our first Legacy Circle gathering Thursday, May 25 at 10am - enjoy fellowship, coffee, and conversation at Church of the Assumption in Fairport. Learn more about laying your legacy foundation in Rochester by including FPGROC in your estate planning or through IRA distributions, charitable gift annuities, stock transfers, and other planned gifts. RSVP by calling the Day Center: 585-506-9050 or visiting www.fpgroc.org/legacy.

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[1] Affordable housing is defined as 30% of a household’s income which, for a single-parent, minimum wage earner making $13.50/hour working 40 hours/week, is $700/month for rent and utilities.

[2] https://nlihc.org/gap/state/ny

FPGROC Wins 2022 ATHENA Organizational Award!

ATHENA's Young Professional Award winner Tanvi Asher, owner of Shop Peppermint; Colleen Davis, ATHENA Award winner and chief of pediatric emergency at Golisano Children's Hospital; and Sharon Burke, FPGROC's Board Chair at the ATHENA Award Celebration.

The ATHENA Organizational Award, which recognizes businesses and organizations that actively promote the ATHENA mission of supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential, was awarded to FPGROC on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the annual celebration. This prestigious honor recognizes FPGROC's seven women staff, scores of volunteers, over 40 interfaith congregational partners, and more than 1,400 families served since 2004, many of which are women-led. Sharon Burke, FPGROC's Board Chair, accepted the award in person, and Nancy Frank, co-founder of the organization, then RAIHN, was in attendance. Learn more.

“We are so proud of our staff, Kim, Lyanette, Lorraine, Aisha, Sonya, Vanessa, and Beth, for winning the ATHENA 2022 Organizational Leadership Award! As a team and individually, they embody the Athena Leadership Model: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, and giving back.”

Sharon Burke, FPGROC Board President

Shelter Program Update

Happy New Year!

A happy RAIHN family in 2015.

Some of you reading this may remember when RAIHN first opened its doors to families in April 2004, with a call to action: assisting families experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence.  Staff, the Board of Directors, and our committed congregations have steadfastly continued this work for nearly 18 years, with over 40 congregations (1,800 volunteers) coming together to serve needs greater than their own, providing compassionate hospitality and shelter to 540 families, including 1009 children. RAIHN evolved and grew over the years to include robust initiatives to prevent homelessness, divert a shelter stay, and stabilize families long-term. Following the lead of the national organization, RAIHN changed its name in 2020 to Family Promise of Greater Rochester, reflecting this growth and the organization’s continued commitment to the inherent promise in each family served.

And now, as we enter year 3 of a worldwide pandemic, we are faced with yet another significant change. With the series of pivots from the congregational model of shelter, to sheltering in a motel, and finally to utilizing apartments as shelter, we realize that while we can’t forecast the future of the pandemic, we can and must act proactively to set the organization on a path of stability, much like we do for the families in our Shelter Program.  The Board of Directors and staff have made the decision not to return to the congregational model of shelter.  We pause with this sentence…to invite you to give yourself and your community some space to reflect on this decision and process through any emotion that comes to mind. 

• If you were involved in the details of the weekly rotations at your congregation or volunteered regularly, you might take this time to reflect on a special moment with a family or a volunteer or perhaps an unexpected situation that arose. 

• If you are new to Family Promise or volunteered at the Day Center, perhaps you take this time to realize what an impact the congregational model had on the lives of so many families sheltered and cared for within Rochester’s sacred spaces. 

As for next steps, we will continue to shelter families within apartments as we make a final decision on the purchase of the Day Center at 142 Webster Avenue.  If this purchase is realized, we will access the 4 apartments on the 2nd floor as shelter, with the hopes that if and when the pandemic wanes, we can shift the shelter program to a more family-centric, trauma informed, equitable model by inviting volunteers into the Day Center space to share communal meals, provide care for children during enrichment classes, answers phones, and/or join a “maintenance/repair” team. 

WE ARE COMMITTED TO FINDING NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS AND MAINTAIN OUR INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUR CONGREGATION, THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF OUR ORGANIZATION.

Join us as we celebrate the milestones, transitions, and transformations of the organization over the past 18 years.  Despite inevitable change, we remain committed to our vision: Family Promise of Greater Rochester will have achieved success when affordable, decent, equitable housing is seen as a human right and every family has a place to call home.  We look forward to our continued work with you in achieving this vision.

With gratitude and blessings,
Kim Hunt-Uzelac, LMSW (she/her)
Executive Director 

RAIHN becomes Family Promise of Greater Rochester

Dear Friends,

We are reaching out to share some important and exciting news with you. Over the course of the next six months, RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) will be transitioning its name to Family Promise of Greater Rochester. Please be assured that while our name will change, our mission remains the same: to provide services to the most vulnerable families in the community, while recognizing the promise each family has to realize their potential.

The time is right to embrace the more recognizable, nationally-known Family Promise name, shared with the national office in New Jersey and the 200+ affiliates across the country. Family Promise began as a shelter program in 1986 amidst an emergent crisis of family homelessness, and eventually grew into a national leader in providing a holistic approach to homelessness. Likewise, RAIHN started as a shelter program in 2004 and has since expanded its programming to include a comprehensive aftercare program and eviction prevention program. As a 16-year affiliate of Family Promise, this is an opportunity to formalize our relationship, which will further enhance our services to truly reflect the five points of the Family Promise star: shelter, stabilization, prevention, community, and promise:

• The Shelter Program, begun in 2004, unites diverse faith organizations, volunteers and social services to provide shelter and food. The Shelter Program has grown to include a move to a new Day Center in 2017 and the addition of a transitional bridge apartment.

• The Aftercare & Stabilization Program, begun in 2010, provides case management services for each family as they transition from shelter to permanent housing and has an 85% success rate of keeping families housed.

• The Prevention & Rehousing Program, begun in early 2019, has provided 127 families with funding assistance to prevent an eviction, divert a homelessness episode, or regain housing. This program has been especially imperative during the COVID pandemic.

• Community – our 1,800 trained volunteers are the backbone of our work. This powerful resource of committed, compassionate, and capable volunteers is called to action to serve those with needs greater than their own.

• And finally promise, which indicates the promise we make to the community to continue to grow and address the needs of families holistically, while recognizing the promise that each family brings to catalyze their strengths into success.

It is time for us to proudly embrace the name Family Promise of Greater Rochester to accurately reflect our new reality. Please continue on this journey with us and know that the power of community can give families a chance to build a better future.

Thank you!

Kim Hunt-Uzelac, Executive Director
|Sharon Burke, Board Chair
Rev. Roderic P. Frohman, RAIHN Co-founder
Nancy Frank, RAIHN Co-founder