City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren today thanked a team of eight AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members as they built an addition to the Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services building on Lexington Avenue.
“We are fortunate to have this team here in Rochester, where they are helping with a number of projects, both for the City and our local nonprofits that provide housing and other critical services,” Mayor Warren said. “These high-energy young adults are here with us for only seven weeks, but they have definitely left their mark on our community.”
The Mayor directed the City to pursue the successful application to bring a NCCC team to Rochester. The projects detailed in the application align with the City’s Rochester 2034 Plan, including improving urban parks and forests, increasing access to affordable housing, and supporting refugees as they transition to life in Rochester. The City contributes toward the NCCC members’ housing and some smaller expenses, but receives the benefit of their labor, estimated at over $45,000, free of charge.
The NCCC and its FEMA Corps unit engages up to 2,200 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year. The eight-member team in Rochester is now reaching the end of its term of service.
Team members range in age from 18-24 and come from across the country, including, Hawaii, Tennessee, Nebraska and Ohio. Over the past year, they’ve done a variety of projects in communities across the country, staying in each location for roughly 4-8 weeks, before coming to Rochester.
Their work at Rochester Refugee Resettlement will provide a modern classroom space as well as private office space to meet with clients. Team members first tore down the rear section of the building before constructing the new addition with help from other volunteers.
The City collaborated with several other community partners for the NCCC visit, including Flower City Habitat for Humanity, the Friends of Washington Grove, Project Homeless Connect, Mary’s Place, the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood and Mount Hope Cemetery. The team has also participated in service learning and professional development days with members of Flower City AmeriCorps and Rochester AmeriCorps.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.