2023

In 2023, the Wilson Foundation provided funding to over 20 organization partners totalling more than $1,000,000.

• Bivona | $60,000

  Bivona Child Advocacy Center is a partnership of agencies co-located in Bivona’s facility in Rochester to surround children with support and protection in a child-friendly and trauma-informed way in the aftermath of abuse or after witnessing a violent crime. The grant is for the general operating support of Bivona’s Multidisciplinary Team of professionals who have expertise in child abuse investigations, support services, and referrals. The funds will aid in serving an estimated 2,000 children, youth and families in Monroe County and surrounding areas in need of these crisis services, with no cost to the families.

• BreatheDeep | $60,000

  BreatheDeep is a community and research-based organization that provides mental health education, mental health support services, and restorative wellness programming to historically marginalized communities. Founded by a tenured professor with a Ph.D. in counselor education who teaches wellness, they co-create safe spaces with their participants to assist them to heal from trauma and restore mental wellness. Their network of partners provide mental health and wellness workshops, coaching, and counseling through culturally relevant and research-based strategies, as well as training for teens to become mental health peer ambassadors upon completing teen trauma curriculum under development. The grant would serve 100 youth and adults through two programs – youth education (peer ambassadors and school based mental health program both in Rochester and the surrounding towns) and restorative wellness (group and individual counselling).

• Connected Communities | $40,000/yr for 3 yrs

  CC is a nonprofit in the “Purpose Built Communities” model dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and revitalizing the EMMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods of Rochester. Their housing focus is on providing safe and affordable housing for neighborhood families regardless of income level. This three-year grant is focused on interceding in the housing crisis by providing emergency housing funds to provide support to residents once the statewide eviction moratorium expired, as well as funds for landlord renovations and pre-development planning with a nonprofit parter to develop affordable housing units.

• Empire Justice Center | $50,000

  Empire Justice Center is a nonprofit law firm that provides needed services to low income and other vulnerable New Yorkers. This advocacy grant educates the public and leaders regarding zoning provisions that would support the expansion of housing options.

• EnCompass | $25,000/yr for 4 years

  Encompass Navigation Program takes a holistic approach to tackle barriers to academic success with vulnerable children and their families by providing wraparound and capacity building support to families. The supports address trauma, learning challenges, educational rights and housing/food/job/financial insecurity.

• Family Promise | $10,000

  Family Promise operates a homeless shelter and related programs in the city of Rochester. It seeks to address the housing insecurity and eviction crisis for renters with low incomes, particularly within communities of color, by preventing evictions which perpetuate poverty and poor health. This program addresses local disproportionate housing insecurity by providing: (1) rental assistance to prevent evictions and (2) security deposits to regain housing. The grant will help assist some of the over 300 families who they expect to serve in this program over the next year.

• Judicial Process Commission | $30,000

  The Judicial Process Commission’s re-entry services help people who were involved with the criminal-legal system successfully reintegrate into society by helping them get certain certificates of good conduct/rehabilitation and by removing other negative legal designations that act as barriers to employment, housing, voting, and other basic rights of most citizens. Without JPC very few individuals reentering society could afford or navigate this process. JPC’s work helps reduce trauma and stigmatization so that those coming out of incarceration can reintegrate into society and their families. This grant would support the Legal Action Employability Project (LAEP) which will serve approximately 650 people.

• JustCause | $60,000

  JustCause’s Right to Counsel in Evictions program provides free legal help to low-income residents who are facing non-criminal legal programs.

• Mt. Hope Family Center | $50,000/yr for 2 yrs

  The Mt. Hope Family Center, a UR community health clinic, is dedicatd to promoting psychological health and preventing maladjustment and mental illness in the lives of children and families. This grant provides continuity of services for children and families for two summers as well as certain capacity building for diverse staff.

• Partners in Community Development | $25,000

  The Parents Elevating their voice to Educate and Empower Each other to Eliminate Disparities and Inequities in Services related to the Emotional health of our Kids (PEEEEEEK) program builds trusting relationshipos in communities of color and addresses stigmas associated with mental health and services from a racial equity lens. It also aims to impact change with behavioral health providers to foster a system built for BIPOC children and families.

• Person Centered Housing Options | $65,000

  PCHO provides housing to those experiencing chronic homelessness through the “Housing First” model. This model prioritizes providing immediate access to housing without imposing strict prerequisites such as sobriety or participation in treatment programs. This grant would support 15 chronic homeless households annually at Cecilia’s Place, a rehabbed former factory converted into high-quality housing in a low-income Rochester neighborhood. Cecilia’s Place includes permanently supportive housing with wrap around services that meet the specific needs of each housed individual.

• Public Policy and Education Fund of New York | $45,000/yr for 2 yrs

  PPEFNY is a state-wide housing organizer that provides strategic support to Rochester and other upstate cities for local and state-wide advocacy to achieve transformational housing reforms. Staff work with underserved communities to build skills and knowledge to advocate and implement policy changes that shift the housing landscape, leading to eviction prevention, rent relief, aid for small landlords, and support for unhoused people.

• Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative

  RMAPI is he only multi-sector collective action organization working toward upward mobility for all families in Rochester. Its Unity Agenda seeks to achieve this by focusing on Dignity and Belonging, Power and Autonomy, and Economic Success. The grant funds general operating support to sustain collectiv action eforts, and create long-term change in systems and structures.

• Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services | $50,000

  Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services empowers immigrants to reach self-sufficiency and success. Asylum seekers have the most difficulty reaching this goal as they are not recognized as being here in legal status until their asylum case is approved. Yet without housing and other support, these families would more likely be held in incarceration until their immigration hearings. This grant would fund a portion of the housing cost for up to 10 asylum seeking families as a part of a program that would provide them with legal case management and employment-seeking support. RRRS’s goal is to pilot a successful model that can be replicated by other communities and thereby help alleviate the asylum crisis in our community and nationwide.

• Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach | $20,000/yr for 5 yrs

  SCPO is the only proram in Monroe County providing residential wraparound services to individuals re-entering the community from the incarceral system where the can have stable housing and receive support as they work to achieve their goals. Goals may include family reunification, mental stability, ending chemical dependency, and vocational/educational advancement. This 5-year grant matches a NYS grant to expand supportive housing.

• The Children's Agenda | $45,000/yr for 2 yrs

  TCA advocates for effective policies and drives evidenced based solutions for the success of children. This two-year grant supports TCA’s work to improve the lives of children b engaging leaeers in systemic change through advocacy, research, and collaboration. One of their initiatives is to extend state fundingto help parents pay for housing and other child-related expenses.

• The House of Mercy | $60,000/year for 2 years

  The House of Mercy is a 76-bed shelter serving those experiencing homelessness in one of the poorest areas of Rochester. Although basic needs support, such as food, clothing, and shelter—all of which House of Mercy provides—are important, they recognize that their guests face a number of complex hardships, including physical and mental health challenges, and addiction struggles. To address them, HOM treats each guest with a trauma-informed, whole-person approach as relevant programming and a social work team guides them on their journey from homelessness to housing. This grant supports general operating expenses.

• The Hub585, Inc. | $80,000/year for 2 years

  The Hub585 is a relationship-centered community where marginalized youth and families hope, heal and thrive. Their vision is for a restored community where youth and their families have moved from systemic trauma to a place of power and belonging. They serve youth and families involved in foster care and other systems and those with multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACES). The grant would provide general operating support for The Hub585’s current programs (which include an online portal to meet practical needs; mentoring of foster teens; life skills courses that reach 150 foster youth annually; and cash assistance to foster youth transitioning to independent) and for its new programs, which include opening a foster home for teen girls and training and skills development for biological and foster parents.

• The Margaret Home | $10,000

  The Margaret Home is a group home for pregnant and parenting mothers with the mission of preventing homelessness and other long-term pervasive negative outcomes for children and families. A Case Manager establishes a collaborative care plan with each woman to identify her unique goals toward a sustainable residence and employment upon program completion. Direct Care Managers provide 24/7 support with activities of daily living, meal preparation, transportation, basic babysitting, and assistance with individualized goals. Volunteer skill trainers assist the women by implementing training and resources specific to those goals. This grant would provide operating funds to support the Women’s Empowerment Program.

• Untrapped Ministries | $50,000

  Untrapped Ministries (UM) is a community focused organization working to change the lives of Rochester’s most vulnerable youth through the understanding that Economic Empowerment, Health and Wellness and a sense of Connectedness and Belonging are inextricably connected to the success of our youth. The grant would support the replication of the Community Vanguard model, to reach and teach young adults who can themselves become credible messengers for their peers, recruiting and support additional youth, as well as paying stipends to the youth.

• YWCA | $50,000/yr for 3 yrs

  The YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County helps women and girls facing homelessness and other crises by dispeling stereotypes and promoting racial justice on the path to a health, successful future. YWCA provides the entire continuum of housing designed to prevent a return to homelessness. This grant allows the YWCA to respond to complex barriers, primarily impacting women and families of color living in extreme poverty.