RECENT PRESS
News articles and radio coverage of House of Mercy and local happenings.
A House Built on Mercy Annual Gala
November 7, 2025 ●
Hear about the House of Mercy’s upcoming 40th anniversary gala, “A House Built on Mercy,” on November 20 at Event 180, featuring live jazz, a unique “house built on mercy” interactive installation, and specialty mocktails to celebrate inclusivity.
Tickets are limited! Reserve early at houseofmercyrochester.org, or contact Whitney directly at whitney@houseofmercyrochester.org for alternative payment options.
House of Mercy Leaders Respond to Federal Homelessness Measures
August 12, 2025 ●
Pam Smith, Interim Executive Director, and Brian Keene, Building and Grounds Manager, share their thoughts on the Trump Administration’s encampment sweeps and the general repercussions of the homeless on American cities, and Rochester in particular.
Read more here.
Celebrating 40 Years with Warm 101.3
April 29, 2025 ●
Whitney Snead, Director of Development at House of Mercy, and Chris Zdep, Cofounder & Executive Producer at Captivate Media, discuss our remarkable 40-year milestone of service in Rochester. We celebrate 40 years of acting as a cornerstone of hope, providing shelter, food, clothing, and advocacy for those facing homelessness and food insecurity.
Read more here.
House of Mercy on Warm 101.3
February 1, 2025 ●
Executive Director Dr. Tammy Butler and Director of Development Whitney Snead were invited to discuss how House of Mercy helps the unhoused in our community, and what we’re planning for our upcoming 40th anniversary.
Read more here.
‘No one gets turned away’: Warming centers reach capacity as temperatures drop
January 24, 2025 ●
News10NBC’s Marsha Augustin stopped by the House of Mercy for an up-close look at how we accommodate people who need shelter.
Read more here.
How do the homeless cope with Rochester's extremely low temps?
January 24, 2025 ●
Kerria Weaver of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle covered local programs that help homeless individuals in need of shelter and escape from the freezing weather.
Read more here.
Local shelter urges unhoused to seek safety at warming centers as temperatures plummet
January 21, 2025 ●
Tammy Butler, executive director of the House of Mercy, emphasized the risks posed by the cold weather in an interview with ABC 13.
Read more here.
County Executive Bello Announces Expanded Transportation Access to Code Blue Services
December 2, 2024 ●
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello joined Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, County Legislators and warming shelter providers, including House of Mercy, to announce the details of Monroe County 2024-2025 Code Blue Plan, which provides warming centers for unhoused individuals when temperatures dip below 32 degrees.
Read more here.
Monroe County details Code Blue services, including free RTS rides to warming centers
December 2, 2024 ●
ABC 13 reported that the City of Rochester joined Monroe County and Regional Transit Service (RTS) to address Code Blue services for this winter, including by offering free rides from RTS to warming centers.
Read more here.
Rochester's House of Mercy shines light on World Homeless Day
October 10, 2024 ●
In honor of World Homeless Day, House of Mercy opened its doors to help connect people in need with resources provided by counselors, medical providers and social workers.
Read more here.
New Monroe County program focuses on mental health training
July 18, 2024 ●
Rachel Niemi of Spectrum News 1 reports on training focused on helping Black, Indigenous and people of color become peer advocates specializing in mental health and substance abuse issues.
Read more here.
House of Mercy to train peer advocates
July 18, 2024 ●
Eriketa Cost of News10NBC covers a new program to train peer advocates, upon recommendation from the City of Rochester and Monroe County’s Joint Racial and Structural Equity Commission.
Read more here.
