Rochester's Homeless Organizations
Every night 15 to 37 homeless people in Rochester seek shelter and a meal at the Dorothy Day House and the Interfaith Hospitality Network. In 2004, these two organizations served more than 1000 men, women and children.
Many of the homeless have jobs but can’t afford permanent housing. Mental illness and alcoholism are issues for many. According to a recent survey, about a third of the women are homeless due to domestic abuse.
The Dorothy Day Hospitality House at 703 1st St. S.W. has room for 23 individuals and families.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a network of 39 area faith communities. It serves homeless families and has room for 14 people each night.
The Salvation Army offers transitional housing assistance for some homeless families, as well as assistance for food, clothing, utilities and medical and dental care.
Sheltering and feeding the homeless is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week job, and it’s all done by volunteers – 70 per week at Dorothy Day House, 40-50 per week at IHN. Last year these two organizations provided more than 36,000 meals and 7,100 nights of lodging to the homeless.
Money raised in the fundraiser will be used by these organizations to carry out their missions.
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Interfaith Hospitality Network is a network of area churches who help homeless families with children under the age of 16, by providing them a place to sleep, food to eat and a safe place for their family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. IHN provides support, caring, and basic needs while the family is in crisis. It gives them a chance to concentrate on finding employment and permanent housing in a safe and caring environment. IHN is part of a national program, "Family Promise", based in Summit, NJ. We need a higher minimum wage for these 'working poor' families and then affordable housing, so that they can live in dignity and hope.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been serving the Olmsted County Community since 1896. Although the services and programs offered have changed over the years to meet the ever-changing needs in our community, its core mission remains the same, to meet the basic human needs of those in our community.
We serve the homeless everyday through our noon lunch program, emergency lodging vouchers, basic needs vouchers, Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Clinics move in assistance to end homelessness and eviction prevention to prevent homelessness. In addition, our Transitional Living and Counseling programs serves up to 10 homeless families with children in scattered site homes throughout our community. These families are offered an affordable place to live while receiving support and services needed to become more self sufficient.
Dorothy Day House
Just over 20 years ago, a small group of caring and concerned people wondered if there was a need to provide shelter for those who find themselves without a place to sleep. After consulting with police, clergy, social workers, etc., and much prayer, they pooled their meager resources and opened the Dorothy Day Hospitality House (DDHH) on November 1, 1984 in a small house on 2nd Street (now the McDonald’s parking lot). The dream became a reality. It soon became apparent that the need was greater than projected. A move to a house owned by Christ United Church at 420 Fifth Ave. S.W. was made. There 12 guests could be accommodated. When expansion at the church meant the razing of that house, DDHH moved to the convent at St. Francis Church. Neighbors and parishioners were not happy to have a shelter nearby. Fear of the unknown creates concerns for many. To avoid friction, it was decided to purchase a home and establish a permanent haven for those in need.
Through the efforts of businesses, churches, caring citizens and civic leaders, the community rallied and ample funds were raised to purchase a house at 703 First Street S.W. The new DDHH opened on November 1, 1989. Each night up to 23 guests can be provided with a bed. Men, women and families can stay 14 consecutive nights and then must leave. They may return in 30 days.
During the first nine months of 2006, 703 guests, including 67 females and 15 families with 21 children, spent 5016 nights at the house. They were provided with 14,180 meals. In addition, hospitality was extended to 264 visitors.
The generosity of the community enables the all-volunteer staff to provide a warm and comfortable home, not a shelter. It allows for such amenities as laundry facilities, haircuts, Christmas presents, personal items, snacks, a willing listener, etc. –- just like home. Among the guests (50% of whom will not return) are those who, for various reasons, are unable to maintain themselves and must resort to return visits, or are outpatients at the Clinic and cannot afford to say at a motel and the families of inpatients in like circumstances. The support of many makes this all possible without government grants or United Way help. The philosophy on which Dorothy Day Hospitality House was founded is that as members of the human family, it is our responsibility to aid those in need.
The need is great, and without doubt, will multiply. The continued support of this most generous community will alleviate the needs of many.