About Us
House of Mercy is a beacon of hope for the poorest of the poor. We never give up on the thousands of people that we serve each year.
How We Help
Every day, all day, in ways big and small, we serve Rochester’s people in need. Food. Shelter. Clothing. Health and Wellness. Spiritual services. Advocacy. Drop-in social services. And so much more.
All services can be accessed by calling 585-546-2580 or by emailing info@houseofmercyrochester.org.
Compassion
At the House of Mercy, you will receive love, support, and compassion from all.
Emergency Shelter
The House of Mercy is a 76-bed shelter dedicated to cleanliness, safety, and compassionate care.
Food
We have a Food Pantry which provides bags of essential food items Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Social Services
Our dedicated Social Work staff and partners meet with individuals living in the shelter to set up an independent living plan. They work to set goals and meet them during their stay at House of Mercy.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Through our Jim Vogel Benevolent Fund, we are able to assist individuals who need financial support. This help can be for utility bills, clothing, security deposits, back rent, funerals, personal IDs, or birth certificates.
Basic Needs
Clothing, shelter, and food are all provided. We believe in radical compassion.
Spirituality Services
Religion should be a choice, not forced. We believe that spirituality gives inner strength and brings joy into our lives. That’s why spirituality services are an important part of our ministry.
Each week, we invite all to join us for Bible study, Mass and Gospel liturgy to build strength to face challenges and pray for all of those in our family. Through the House of Mercy Gospel Choir we raise up our voices and the community all around us. On special occasions, we hold services to celebrate the lives of people who mean so much to our community, such Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social Justice and Advocacy
The House of Mercy is committed to providing advocacy services to preserve the basic rights of our area’s homeless and poor. Some have serious psychological and emotional problems; some can’t read or write; some struggle to express themselves. We help protect their best interests when dealing with social services, the medical community, the criminal justice and legal system, utility companies, and other organizations that have a big impact on their lives.
Our History
In 1985, Sister Grace Miller could see that homelessness was a big problem in Rochester, NY, and there simply weren’t enough shelters to meet the need. Sister Grace immediately went to work, and with help from the Sisters of Mercy, she opened a shelter in a small house on Central Park just north of downtown Rochester.
“As soon as we opened the door, people flooded in,” Sister Grace recalls.
