There is no “Public Safety” without the Public.
To accomplish our violence prevention and reduction goals, the entire community must be involved. Community members can productively participate in Rochester’s Public Safety efforts in many different ways. Read on to learn about the latest volunteer and engagement opportunities.
Apply for the Flower City AmeriCorps
Flower City AmeriCorps offers a year-long paid apprenticeship in the field of human services. After orientation, members will embark on a hands-on apprenticeship at a local nonprofit or government agency where they will receive mentorship and training in one of the specialized service areas: community building, economic opportunity, health and wellness, or positive youth development.
Be a Mentor. Find a Mentor.
The Mayor’s Mentor UP! Gala is an exceptional free event supported by local chapters of international fraternities, community agencies, residents, area colleges, and business leaders. This red-carpet gathering serves as a pivotal platform for forging connections, where youth ages 14-18 can interact with peers and local leaders in a formal, enjoyable, and relaxed atmosphere. The event strives to facilitate natural mentor-mentee pairings that can lead to internships and job prospects for local high school students.
Become a Part of Rochester’s Police and Citizens-Together Against Crime (PAC-TAC) Volunteers
The Rochester Police Department (RPD) and community partners are working together to keep Rochester safe. Police and Citizens-Together Against Crime (PAC-TAC) needs your help in order to make a difference in our community.
Donate to or Volunteer with the Rochester Peace Collective
The Rochester Peace Collective is a collaborative effort that guides investments from local funding organizations into innovative and proven programs that work to prevent violent crimes.
Enroll in Community Emergency Response Team Training
This program was created to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.
Get your Kids Involved with the RPD’s “On The Same Team” Program
The Rochester Police Department (RPD) provides several opportunities for young people ages 14 through college to help engage with Rochester’s youth to further enhance positive police interactions. Young people are the future of our City and need to know that we are on the same team.
Help a Young Person in your Life Change Bad Habits and Choose Peace with the Pathways to Peace Program
If you have a friend or family member who is in trouble with violence, drugs or gangs, or know about a dispute that is ongoing or about to happen, get in touch with Pathways to Peace.
In the news: Pathways to Peace promotes hope amid violence
If You See Something, Say Something! Provide Information and Help Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe
If you know anything about any criminal activity, call Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300. No one will ask your name and you may earn a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest. You will not be required to testify and you will not be identified.
For non-emergency criminal activity, you can also provide anonymous information via ReportIt.
Join Other Latinx and African American Professionals in Mentoring RCSD Students Through Pillars of Hope
Pillars of Hope are local African-American and Latinx professionals who volunteer to visit Rochester City School District (RCSD) schools, share their experiences and provide positive support to the students.
Join Your Neighborhood’s Police Citizen Interaction Committee
The Police Citizen Interaction Committee (PCIC) meetings are where police Captains, section staff and representatives from various neighborhood groups convene to discuss crime patterns, quality of life issues, environmental concerns, problem locations and crime statistics. Meetings are intended to be interactive, where everyone is encouraged to participate in an open dialogue.
Nominate a Student for a “Do the Right Thing” Award
The goal of the Do the Right Thing program is to foster positive relationships between local law enforcement and youth in the community in an effort to end cycles of violence. The Do the Right Thing Awards program recognizes school-aged youth for their bravery, courage and valor, such as volunteering, aiding law enforcement or other first responders, acts of heroism, leadership and positive role model behavior.
Provide Summer Intern Opportunities for Local Youth
We are actively recruiting worksites that can provide opportunities for youth interns from our program to engage in real-world work experiences in the community. The cost of employee wages is covered by the City of Rochester. The worksites are solely responsible for providing their interns with a meaningful work experience through coaching and mentoring.
Reach Out When you are in Need – Crisis Intervention Services are here to Help
The CISU provides response, support, intervention, and resource information to those affected by crisis, trauma, and crime. Scene response, mental and behavioral health response, and victim assistance are just some of the services offered.
Register your Budding Entrepreneur in the Biz Kid$ Program
The Biz Kid$ program provides interactive, applied business and entrepreneurial education to city youth ages 10-18. Keeping youth-focused, working towards goals and offering opportunities are key components to violence prevention.
Sign Up for Programs and Activities with the Department of Recreation and Human Services
Keeping our youth entertained, engaged and curious is key to keeping them safe. The City of Rochester’s new R-Central online system makes it easier than ever to search, view, explore, enroll and pay for recreation programs, camps, leagues, activities and more!
Volunteer to Help your Local R-Center Provide Services and Programs to your Neighborhood
The Recreation Bureau always needs and benefits from volunteers at its R-Centers. Make a difference for our urban youth! If you are interested in volunteering, download the application.
Volunteer to Help Implement the Recommendations of the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE)
Join a Community Advancing Recommendation Team and be a part of the collaboration between the Urban League, City of Rochester, Monroe County, and Rochester City School District to move the RASE recommendations ahead across our community. Click here for more information.
OVP Collaborative: Local Organizations
- Western NY Chapter of Black Law Enforcement: Captain Carolyn Lewis (Retired), Phone 917 561-6884, email wnynoble@gmail.com.
- Goodwill of Finger Lakes: President/CEO Jennifer Lake, Office Phone 585-232-1111, Direct Phone 585-697-5747, email jlake@goodwillfingerlakes.org.
- Community Justice Initiative: Phone 585-355-7884, email communityjusticeinitiative@gmail.com.
- Center for Teen Empowerment: Phone 585-697-3464, Fax 585-413-1951, email shan@teenempowerment.org.
- Heart & Soul Community Church: Pastor Louis Colon, Phone 585-342-7970, email louis@heartandsoulchurch.com.
- United Way of Rochester: Director of Leadership Development and Equity Dr. Sheila M. Strong, Phone 585-242-6554, email sheila.strong@unitedwayrocflx.org.
- Visions Federal Credit Union: Market Manager Regina Seabrook, Phone 607-754-7900 and 800-242-2120 ext. 36601, email rseabrook@visionsfcu.org.
- Rochester Management: President & CEO Peggy J. Hill, CPA/CPM, Office Phone 585-467-2442, Fax 585-544-0243, Cell 585-721-1574, email phill@rochestermanagement.com.
- Children’s Institute: Executive Director Ann Marie White, Ed.D., Office Phone 585-295-1000 ext. 270, Toll Free 877-888-7647, Fax 585-295-1090, email amwhite@childrensinstitute.net.
- Upstate New York Operating Engineers Local 158: Phone 585-272-9890, website https://www.iuoe158.org.
- Institute for Collaborative Leadership: Founder Hank Rubin PhD, Phone 585-633-1020, email hrubin@collaborative-leaders.org and www.collaborative-leaders.org.
- Canandaigua National Bank: Executive Vice President – Consumer Lending, CRA Officer Brian E. Pasley, Cell 585-490-4842, Fax 585-394-3212, email bpasley@cnbank.com.
- The Reentry and Community Development Center: Executive Director/Founder Miquel Powell, BSW, Office Phone 585-445-8380, and Cell 585-967-0640.
- Center for Community Alternatives: Executive Director David Condliffe, Esq., Cell 917-301-3939, email dcondliffe@communityalternatives.org, website www.communityalternatives.org.
- Interdenominational Health Ministry Coalition/IHMC (Conflict Resolution Training): Program Coordinator Cathy Little, Phone 585-436-9397, email ihmcroc@gmail.com and ihmcroc.org.
- Rochester/Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium: Domestic Violence Consortium Coordinator Joan Roby-Davison, Phone 585-295-6061, email dvcoffice@lasroc.org, website www.rmcdvc.org.
- Media Movement Network: Digital Creator, Shabaka MU Ausar https://www.instagram.com/mediamovenet/ website mediamovement.net.
- Monroe County: Adam Bello/County Executive, Phone 585-753-1000, Fax 585-753-1014, email countyexecutive@monroecounty.gov, website https://www.monroecounty.gov.
- Law NY (Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.): Deputy Director Lori M. O’Brien, Esq., Office Phone 585-325-2520, Cell 315-322-1501, Fax 585-325-2559, email lobrien@lawny.org.
- PathStone: Deputy of Reentry Training & Employment Programs Michael A. Joiner, Cell 585-802-2974, email mjoiner@pathstone.org and website www.pathstone.org.
- IN Control Program: Manager Outreach & Education Finger Lakes Region Stacey N. Richards, Office Phone 585-328-3408 ext. 3855, Direct Phone 585-623-5266, email stacey.richards@ppcwny.org.
- Lidestri Food and Drink: LiDestri Headquarters Phone 585-377-7700, Lee Rd location Phone 585-270-2401, website https://www.lidestrifoodanddrink.com.
- ITEC Training & Education Center: Site Coordinator Aubrey Marrero, Phone 585-785-4524, email amarrero@itectraining.com, website https://itectraining.com.
- Unicon (Unions and Businesses United in Construction): Communications Director Jasmine Gelsomino, Phone 585-288-3440, Cell 585-402-9603, email jgelsomino@uniconrochester.com, website www.uniconrochester.com.
- Judicial Process Commission: Service Coordinator/Legal Action Employment Project Annette Montstream, Phone 585-325-7727, Fax 585-325-2165, email A.Montstream@ROCJPC.ORG, website WWW.ROCJPC.ORG.
- RAWNY (Reentry Association of WNY): President/CEO Ann M. Graham, Phone 585-851-8886 ext. 100, email agraham@rawny.org, website www.rawny.org.
- The Center for Youth/Rochester Teen Court: Teen Court & Juvenile Justice Program Director Tyshauna Clark, Phone 585-371-3368, Cell 595-300-1508, email TcClark@NYCourts.gov.
- Villa of Hope: JRC Supervisor Maria Garcia, BA, Phone 585-865-1550 ext. 274, Cell 585-642-8036, Fax 585754-9184, email Maria.Garcia@villaofhope.org.
- Seventh Day Adventist: website adventistchurch.org.
- Rochester Youth for Christ: Executive Director Michael Hennessy, Office Phone 585-256-5050, Cell 585-721-7037, email mhennessy@yfcrochester.org, website www.YFCrochester.org.
- Greater Rochester Health Foundation: Senior Program Officer Danette Campbell-Bell, Office Phone 585-258-1799, Direct Phone 585 258-1719, Fax 585-258-1711, email dcampbell-bell@thegrhf.org.
- Rochester Charitable Foundation: Rochester Area Community Foundation, Phone 585-271-4100, Fax 585-271-4292, email racf@racf.org, website https://www.racf.org.
- Coordinated Care Services Incorporated: Anne Wilder President, Phone 585-328-5190, website https://www.ccsi.org.
- Hope Initiatives CDC: Pleasant Foy, Office Phone 585-697-0407 ext 107, Fax 585-262-3396, email info@makinghopepossible.com.
- REOC (Rochester Educational Opportunity Center): Dean/Executive Director Roosevelt Mareus, PhD, Phone 585-327-4069, Fax 585-232-8157, email rmareus@brockport.edu.
- St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center Inc.: Director of Healthcare Access & Outreach Robyn Carter, Phone 585-325-5260, Fax 585-325-3017, email rcarter@sjncenter.org.
- Compeer Rochester: President/Executive Director Sara Passamonte, Phone 585-546-8280 ext 206, email spassamonte@compeerrochester.org.
- North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters: Council Representative Gerald Dee, Office Phone 716-632-1033, Cell 585-764-1769, email gdee@nasrcc.org, website www.nasrcc.org.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local Union 86): Business Manager Raymond A. Ryerse Jr, Office Phone 585-235-1510, Cell 585-465-9815, Fax 585-235-0420, email rryerse@ibewlu86.com.
- Depaul: Phone 585-426-8000, Fax 585-426-8082, website https://www.depaul.org.
- Delphi Rise: Phone 585-467-2230, website delphirise.org/contact.html.