September 2019

REACH believes that HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT The problem is not homeless men and women, but a shortage of truly affordable homes. 

Shelter Committee - REACH Home 2019-20

REACH is looking forward to opening its 5 th temporary shelter this winter. Over the past 4 years, we have been able to feed, clothe, and shelter over 150 people per season. The temporary shelters have been positive experiences for the guests, volunteers, social workers, and everyone else involved. An atmosphere of dignity and respect has created an amazing environment for people to learn, grow, and most importantly-  stay warm in the Rochester Winter. Read More

We need your support. It will take $100,000 for us to open up the shelter in this coming winter. Please consider donating as we prepare to provide a home for men and women who have no home. You may donate on line by going to our website or you may send checks to REACH Advocacy, PO Box 10845, Rochester, NY 14610. All donations are tax deductible.

Tiny Home Committee

From Susan Maxwell, Chair: We are beginning to see forward movement with the Tiny Home Village. We have received the final blueprints of our Tiny Homes and Village site including our architect’s sketch of what we are hoping to build. City Zoning will be meeting with us the first week of September to discuss needed variances for building our Tiny Homes. Homes.  Read More To view the architect's sketch, click here.

From John Curran, coordinator of site preparation On August 24 and 26th, two separate groups totaling sixty incoming freshmen from Brockport College and the University of Rochester removed tree debris and discarded trash from the western border of the property where REACH Advocacy, Inc. intends to establish a tiny home village.  Read More .

Enjoy a video of Episcopal Youth during a summer work day by clicking here .

Advocacy Committee

While as of this printing there is not a full committee, it is anticipated that a newly nominated Board member will be joining this committee. In the meantime here are some actions that have been done or are commended to you for your action. Read more here.

REACH Board

Our September meeting will be on the 9th, due to Labor Day. At this meeting we will confirm the election of two additional Board members who have now been interviewed by committees of the Board. Our goal is to have a full slate by December. We are planning an Orientation for the full Board for early December. We are still awaiting a ruling from the IRS for our 501(c)(3) status. The Board authorized the purchase of some promotional items to be used in relation to fundraisers. Mark Jackson, our Webmaster, is revising our webpage to reflect the changes in our organization. Check it our at http://reachadvocacy.org

Meet the Board - This month Jeanette Creighton I have been employed as a Social Worker with the VA for the past 11 years, with specific focus on homeless Veterans for the past 6 years. I regularly visit homeless shelters, food kitchens, tent city, and other locations where homeless individuals might be located in Monroe County.  Following the forced removal of homeless citizens from an outdoor area in 2015, a builder donated an empty, but heated warehouse which became known as Sanctuary Village. However, with no running water the warehouse was only a temporary solution. Realizing there was a significant need for additional housing for the homeless during the winter months, REACH was formed. The REACH mission to provide homeless housing during the coldest months was a natural progression for me, and I have been honored to be a board member of the REACH team from the beginning. I am proud of everything that REACH has accomplished to help Rochester’s homeless population, and enthusiastically support the REACH goal of creating a village of “tiny homes” as a more permanent solution for Rochester homelessness.

Upcoming Events:

September 26-28 Fall Down Music Fest This is a fundraiser for REACH. Members of the REACH Board will be there. Check out the following links: Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/225836648316543/?ti=icl Ticket link:  https://cnytix.com/events/The-Fall-Down-at-The--9-26-2019

Tuesday, October 15 A Day of Services for the Homeless

Please publicize A Day of Services at the Blue Cross Arena, October 15, 2019, 8:30 am - 3 pm organized by Project Homeless Connect Rochester. Look for winter coat collection boxes and donate lightly used coats for this winter. Go to their website for more information about volunteering and donating.

Resources that may interest our readers: I recently discovered a national coalition promoting housing justice and commend this resource to you. I have no idea why New York housing coalitions have not signed on, but see for yourself some of the work being done by Opportunity Starts at Home.

Thank you for your interest and support of REACH. For more information please check out our Website at reachadvocacy.org . and please like us on Facebook!

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