For up-to-date information about what emergency programs are open & available, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211lifeline.org
For information about Open Access and hours at CFC please visit our Contact Page.
Phone: (585) 546-7220
Email: cfc@cfcrochester.org
Looking to give back to your community in a safe way? Volunteer in our Rent Assistance Call Center, where you will have your own private office to help social distance!
When: Now through the end of December
Where: 1645 St. Paul Street
Times: Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-4pm
Tasks: Answer incoming calls to connect clients in crisis with support for paying rent, while recording caller information.
*Bilingual is not necessary, but a gift! If interested, please email volunteers@cfcrochester.org to learn how you can help with eviction prevention in Rochester.
First and foremost, as a provider of essential services, we are and will remain open. Our emergency and shelter services, addiction treatment programs, mental health clinic, and services to the elderly, families and refugees provide services that are clearly aligned with the definition of essential services. We will continue to carry out our mission.” – Marlene Bessette, President and CEO, Catholic Family Center
Our CFC family continues to apply measures ensuring the safety and wellness of our clients and staff, in accordance with NYS Department of Health recommendations.
Update: We are no longer allowing guest visits to our community residences and administrative office buildings; we have implemented telehealth and remote service delivery wherever prudent and possible; and we have changed processes to accommodate safe social distancing.
Following are specific updates from our programs and services teams:
Our Preventive case managers and social workers are still seeing families for home and other visits as required.
Our 539 Joseph Avenue location is closed but we are operating remotely and are open to take new cases for emergency rent, security deposit and utility financial assistance and other crisis management by phone. Call (585) 232-2050 to schedule an appointment for a phone meeting.
For up to date sources for food assistance, call 2-1-1 as new alternatives are being developed for emergency food distribution during this crisis.
Providing information, referral, and an advocacy network for kinship caregivers across all of New York State
Our team continues to offer telephone warm-line services ((877) 454-6463). Please visit their New York State website to address specific concerns of family members caring for their kin, including grandparents temporarily caring for grandkids.
Refugee resettlement is closed for new arrivals, as no new travel is allowed at federal level. Our case managers are still working with existing new individuals and families who arrived before March 15th
All of our outpatient programs are open
Bridges to Success pairs individuals with a mentor/navigator to help them meet their goals on their way to self-sufficiency.
We continue to provide mentor-participant peer coaching via telephone, and are actively recruiting for our next cohort. If you or someone you know would benefit from our Bridges program, please fill out our contact form.
Our Emergency Shelters are open. All clients are screened, and their temperatures taken at intake.
As always, anyone who is currently homeless or at risk of being homeless, and is in need of emergency housing must go in person to the Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) at 691 St. Paul Street to be assessed for placement. The DHS “after hours” information line is (585) 442-1742 for after-hours placement.
While the CFC family will continue to carry out our mission, it is clear that the people we serve will be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Our clients comprise a majority of our community’s lowest wage earners, many of whom may lose their jobs in the coming weeks, and many do not have sick leave or health insurance. At times like this, our friends and neighbors who have no safety nets need us more than ever. If you would like to help us to continue our work by making a cash donation, we would be grateful for your donation, in any amount.
If you would like to volunteer, we encourage you to visit the United Way’s volunteer portal for information about volunteer needs at CFC and other agencies in the Rochester area.
We are so grateful to our staff who continue to work diligently to foster a healthy environment for our clients. And to thank so many of you who have asked how you can help. We are so grateful for your words of encouragement and hope. You are special to our agency and the people we serve.