House of Mercy (Rochester, New York)

09/16/2026

House of Mercy's Brian Keene, Director of Facilities & Special Projects, and Whitney Snead, Director of Development, recently joined Rochester Speaks to discuss how a major new New York State Medicaid program is helping people stay housed, fed, and out of the emergency room.

Brian Keene, Director of Facilities and Special Projects, and Whitney Snead, Director of Development at the House of Mercy, join the show to talk about a major new Medicaid program that is quietly changing the way Rochester's most vulnerable residents get help and why eligible people need to act now...

09/10/2026

House of Mercy is privileged to partner with FLIPA through the Finger Lakes Social Care Network, connecting eligible Medicaid members with support for rent, utilities, and other essential needs.

House of Mercy was recently notified of an important change to how rental and utility assistance will be administered moving forward. We want to share this information with everyone currently participating in the program, as well as those who may seek assistance in the future.

Effective September 4, 2026, New York State changed the rules governing rental and utility assistance available through the Medicaid Social Care Network program.

Assistance is now limited to six months per household. Previously, another Medicaid-enrolled household member, such as a partner or child, could apply after the head of household received six months of assistance. That is no longer permitted. Once anyone in a household has received six months of rental or utility assistance, no other household member may receive additional assistance through this program.

The change took effect immediately. Some requests were initially approved before September 4 but had not yet been paid. After the new rule took effect, the state changed those approvals to denials in its system.

House of Mercy did not make this decision and cannot make exceptions to the state requirement. House of Mercy never received or withheld the funds associated with these denied requests and therefore has no money to distribute or return.

We understand how upsetting and disruptive this news is for tenants, families, and landlords. Our staff is reaching out to those affected and will share as much information as we have.

If you are affected, please contact your Enhanced Care Manager as soon as possible to discuss your situation and explore other available resources.

09/04/2026

In the Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life," we hear that "every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." At the House of Mercy, every time the bell rings a guest celebrates moving out into their own place. This past week we heard that bell ring 7 times - we're currently celebrating 71 people who, so far this year, have moved into their own places. Amongst the general cacophony of sound at the House of Mercy, the sound of the bell breaks through as guests, staff, and volunteers celebrate the joys of forward progress. What a sweet sound it is. Thank you all for your continued supports of time, talents, and treasures. You are deeply appreciated!

08/18/2026

Last week, we shared an urgent need for men’s and women’s underwear and toiletries—and the response has been nothing short of incredible!

Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our community, we've received an incredible outpouring of donations through our Amazon Wishlist. Your support will help ensure our guests have access to these basic necessities.

From all of us at House of Mercy, thank you for sharing our post, donating, and supporting our mission. We are truly grateful for our amazing community! 💙

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

We are incredibly grateful to our friends at St. John Fisher for their generous donation of hundreds of pillows to House of Mercy! 💙

Thank you, St. John Fisher, for your generosity, compassion, and continued support of our mission. Your kindness makes a real difference!

A special thank you to Nicola Kammers for coordinating and to the House of Mercy transportation staff for the delivery.

07/24/2026

House of Mercy has a longstanding partnership with Health Reach who provide medical services to our guests. If you have medical experience (MD, RN or LPN etc.) and are interested in helping serve our community in a volunteer capacity, check out this opportunity!

07/17/2026

Pardon our dust! Construction has officially begun on House of Mercy’s women’s bathroom and shower renovation.

The new space will be safer, cleaner, more private, more accessible, and thoughtfully designed for the women who rely on it every day. We are especially proud that this project is being completed without using our general operating dollars, protecting the funds that support shelter, meals, outreach, case management, and other essential services.

Because dignity is found in every detail.

06/28/2026

Since January 1:
• 44 people have moved from House of
Mercy into independent housing.
• Our shelter has remained full, providing
safety, rest, showers, laundry, and
support to adults experiencing
homelessness.
• Our kitchen has continued serving three
meals a day, every day, without
interruption.
• Our staff and volunteers have provided
tens of thousands of meals to guests,
visitors, and neighbors.
• Our Street Outreach team has continued
meeting people where they are,
connecting unsheltered neighbors to
food, supplies, care, shelter, and housing
pathways.
• Our community food pantry has
continued serving neighborhood
households with practical support and
dignity.
• Students, churches, businesses,
restaurants, and community groups have
collected food, clothing, supplies, and
funds to support our guests.
• The Row for Hope, led by McQuaid Jesuit
Crew, brought new energy, awareness,
and generosity to House of Mercy.
• Grant-funded resources, including new
refrigerators and guest supplies, have
helped us better care for people between
meals, during medication times, and
during moments of urgent need.
• We have continued preparing for
important building improvements,
including work that will create safer,
more dignified spaces for the women we
serve.

This is not everything. It could never be everything.

It does not capture every volunteer hour, every donated meal, every bag of groceries, every clean pair of socks, every ride to an appointment, every quiet conversation, every hard-won step toward housing, or every person who walked through our doors and was met with mercy.
But it matters. In fact, it means everything to the staff, guests, and former guests of House of Mercy.

Thank you for being part of this work.