Rochester Hope 

St. Rita Parish mission statement calls on us to "welcome, worship, inspire, and serve with love".  Our partnership with Rochester Hope provides us with an opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on the lives of those living in one of the poorest sections of Rochester and New York State. 

The Goals of the partnership between St. Rita Parish and Rochester Hope are:

• To live out Catholic Social Teaching and our Parish Mission of joyfully living the Gospel and serving with love.
• To provide regular volunteer opportunities for parishioners who are hungering for a chance to serve.
• To create an enduring relationship between St. Rita Parish and a ministry from the wider community.

 (Fr. Tim Niven, Pastor at St. Rita; Fr. Daniel Ruiz, Rochester Hope Founder; Dawn Burdick, Rochester Hope Executive Director)

Rochester Hope provides services at 869 N. Clinton Avenue in Rochester. They offer a Community Breakfast and Community Lunch on Saturdays, Food Pantry, Clothing Service, and Furniture Service.

Rochester Hope needs volunteers for the following:

• Tuesday evenings 5:00 – 7:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM and/or 12:00 - 3:30 PM working with clients
• Tuesdays and Thursdays sorting, accepting deliveries, stocking shelves, etc. no clients
• Occasional pickup of donated furniture and delivery of furniture to clients

Volunteers of all ages are welcome, including children 7 years old and older accompanied by a parent.

Task can be fit to your ability. They range from sitting and packing items, unpacking boxes, to heavy lifting.

We have groups of volunteers from St. Rita for morning and afternoon shifts on the third, fourth and fifth Saturday of each month working directly with clients and shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays when no clients are present.

You do not need to commit to a regular shift. Try it out and see if it's a good fit for you.

There are opportunities for indirect service as well, such as asking for and sorting donations for Rochester Hope here at St. Rita, making phone calls to volunteers, etc.

<< Click here for more information on volunteering. >>

If you have questions:

Call or email Julie Cohn 671-1100 ext. 103 or Julie.cohn(at)dor.org

Email Lauren Bates lmbates553(at)gmail.com

Rochester Hope

...from Rochester Hope Website

“Rochester Hope is a not for profit that was born in October 2022 to bring caring hands to the heart of our city.

We are convinced that every human being has dignity that nothing and no one can take away and that if we encounter one another as sisters and brothers, we will discover this dignity that unites us and find ways to tear down the imaginary walls that divide us. We all grow and are affirmed in our worth and dignity when we allow ourselves to encounter one another and serve one another. No human being should lack what they need to lead a dignified life and grow to their full potential.

All human beings should be offered opportunities to serve others and in this way discover their true self and true joy.

It is our responsibility and our privilege to come together as a community to make sure both of these needs are met independent of their zip code, race, or gender.”

Prayer for this partnership between St. Rita Parish and Rochester Hope:

Loving and Generous God,
You sent Your Son to feed the hungry and to remind us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him.
We lift to You the work of St. Rita Parish in service to Rochester Hope.
Bless the hands that gather, prepare, and distribute.
Bless the hearts that give with compassion and the voices that speak words of welcome. Bless those who come in need, that they may find not only nourishment for their bodies but also dignity, hope, and love.
Lord, may this ministry be a true sign of Your Kingdom – where no one is forgotten, and all are invited to the table.
Strengthen our parish community to serve faithfully, with joy and perseverance, so that together with our neighbors we may build a more just and caring city.
Let the light of Jesus that is within us shine through us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.