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30 Millbank Street
Rochester, NY 14619
585.436.7100 |
A place to begin…
Sojourner House provides critical services to women, many with children, in crisis to help them work beyond the challenges of homelessness, domestic violence, mental health issues, addiction, and family separation.
Their journey to self-sufficiency and family stability begins in the Transitional Housing Program. The women enter the program committed to reclaiming their spirits, rebuilding their lives, and maintaining their sobriety. Sojourner House provides shelter, structure, and vital programs to help them find the strength to embrace the future.
The women and their children typically reside at Sojourner House for 3-6 months. Sojourner House provides individualized counseling and case management, intensive life skills training for the women, and nurturing children’s programs, as well as providing for their basic needs.
Families thrive in Sojourner House’s family like environment that fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among the women and their children. The words of a former resident eloquently describes the kinship that develops among Sojourner House families and the difference it makes in their lives:
“Sojourner House’s ability to link women who are close in interest, outlook, feeling, and emotional pain translates to a revival of souls. We come to Sojourner believing that no one cares, that no one believes, that there is no reprieve. We soon learn we are wrong. Compassion is the greatest asset of the relations that are formed among the women of Sojourner House.” |
Most importantly, Sojourner House offers women and children a new beginning, strong support, and hope for the future.
“It is not just a house of women and children hoping to put their lives back together. It is a house of miracles where lives are transformed. It is a sanctuary, where nurturing of the spirit begins, where the process of healing and loving of self takes place. With hard work, dedication, and patience, the gift is unfolded. Through parenting of self and through our children, a whole life is turned around.” |
The short-term success of Sojourner House families is dependent upon the connections, knowledge, skills and tools gained through the programs and services provided in the Transitional Housing Program:
After successfully completing the Transitional Housing Program, the women and their families live independently in one of Sojourner House’s supportive living apartments or in safe affordable housing in the community. Their long-term success is dependent upon the on-going services and support they receive through Sojourner House’s Supportive Housing Program or Outreach Program. This continuum of care approach recognizes the women’s ongoing, daily struggle to achieve economic stability, to keep their family together, and remain sober.
For information about self or client referrals to the Transitional Housing Program, call 436-7100 and ask to speak with the Intake Coordinator.
Sense of Community
Safe shelter is only the beginning of what Sojourner House offers. Its innovative Transitional Housing Program brings together the following aspects of community living to create a safe, nurturing in which to transform their lives:
- Structured schedules
- Shared household responsibilities
- Family-style dinners
- Weekly community meetings
- Support groups
- Enforced accountability (e.g. drug testing and room inspections)
The women of Sojourner House find kinship in one another and draw strength from each other.
Staff Involvement
The caring and knowledgeable staff of Sojourner House provides personalized case management. Every resident receives daily encouragement and the following on-going support to help achieve her personal goals:
- One-on-one counseling
- Crisis intervention when needed
- Assistance setting goals and follow-up on her progress
- Referrals to needed services and programs
- Ongoing support and encouragement
“The staff of strong, intelligent, independent, and spiritually filled women inspired me in all aspect of my life. They helped me put my life together, one tiny piece at a time. They cared for me when I could not care for myself. They loved me when I could not love myself. Most of all, they believed in me until I learned to believe in myself.” |
Skills for Life
The Henrietta Hammond Institute for Life Skills provides intensive life skills education that helps Sojourner House women gain the knowledge, skills, and tools needed for long-term success. The curriculum for this key program consists of eight “core” courses on such topics as effective parenting, money management, and job readiness, as well as “elective” classes such as yoga, creative art, and quilting.
Sojourner House is the only transitional housing provider in the Rochester Community that offers a comprehensive, mandated life skills training program. Every woman is required to take more than 75 credit hours of life skills training during her stay. Participants who successfully complete all eight “core” courses on such topics as effective parenting, money management, and job readiness, and two ”elective” classes earn a Life Skills Certificate of Achievement
Click on this link to learn more about Sojourner’s unique, innovative Life Skills Program.
Support for Family
Children who come to Sojourner House must overcome many of the same challenges as their others. At Sojourner House, they receive the nurturing they need and deserve through Dreamseeds, (link to children’s page) its comprehensive children’s program. The program offers the following educational and enrichment programs designed to build self-esteem, develop healthy coping strategies, inspire academic achievement, and help heal and strengthen family bonds:
- Nightly structured activities
- One-on-one tutoring twice per week
- Regularly scheduled arts and cultural classes
- Summer camp opportunities
- Family outings to area attractions
Click on this link to learn more about Sojourner House’s flourishing Children’s Programs.
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