Nancy Watson Dean		Sojourner Truth

In response to an increasing community need for transitional housing for women, Nancy Watson Dean and her daughter-in-law, Virginia Fairchild, organized a group of their activist friends. The group raised money, leased and refurbished a former funeral home on East Main Street and Sojourner House opened its doors in 1982. The organization was named in honor of Sojourner Truth, a former slave who became an abolitionist and passionate advocate for the dispossessed in society. Born a slave in Upstate New York, she declared her own freedom and journeyed throughout the country speaking the truth.

In 1987, fire destroyed the interior of the home. The tragedy disrupted the program and provided an opportunity. The Board of Directors decided it was time to find a permanent home for Sojourner House.

Hard-working board members managed to raise the capital funds needed to renovate an idle building in Rochester’s 19th Ward. In 1989, Sojourner House officially reopened its doors in the former convent of St. Monica’s Church — a move that more nearly tripled the number of women and children that could be served in its Transitional Housing Program.

Over the next decade, Sojourner House became a pioneer of supportive housing for women and children, opening Monica Place in 1991, Fairchild Place in 1999 and Nancy Watson Dean Place in 2001. Together, these facilities provide 40 units of permanent, affordable housing for women and their children, who benefit from on-site case management and support services.

In 1996, Virginia Fairchild tragically passed away from cancer. As president of the Board, Ginny Cornyn kept the organization running smoothly and led the search for a new President.

Germaine Knapp took the helm in 1997. Under Germaine’s vision and direction, Sojourner House and its programs have strengthened and expanded over the latest decade, most notably in the areas of supportive housing, outreach case management for graduates, children’s programming, and life skills education.

Since 1982, Sojourner House has assisted over 2,000 women and their families in reaching their goals concerning education, employment, family stability, sobriety, and economic stability.

Timeline:

1982 – Sojourner House opened at original site on East Main Street with space for 5 women

1987 – Firebomb destroyed building, interrupting the program

1989 – Sojourner House re-opens in renovated convent in 19 th Ward, with space for 16 women and up to 20 children

1991 – Monica Place opens, offering 21 units of supportive housing that are among the first in New York State

1996 – Executive Director and co-founder Virginia Fairchild tragically passes away; Germaine Knapp chosen to lead the organization

1997 – First Epiphany Award recognizing an outstanding graduate is given to Wanda Chealey, beginning an annual tradition that continues today

1998 – Fairchild Endowment Fund established to strengthen organization’s financial future

1999 – Fairchild Place opens, offering 12 additional units of supportive housing

1999 – Briggs Outreach Program begun to provide ongoing case management to Sojourner House graduates

2000 – Dreamseeds program established to provide comprehensive programming for the children of Sojourner House women

2001 – Nancy Watson Dean Place opened, offering 7 additional units of supportive housing

2003 – Henrietta Hammond Institute for Life Skills (HHILS) established comprehensive life skills program for women in transitional housing

2005 – Sojourner House receives Project of the Year Award from Supportive Housing Network of New York for excellence in supportive housing

2006 – New logo chosen to reflect growth and renewal

2008 – Launched exciting new website