2024…

Stay tuned for exciting new developments…

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2023…

Summary

Holy Trinity Baptist Church approved the location of the FLACRA Clinic on North Street. $500,000 was secured for the clinic by Councilmember Michael Patterson.
DePaul’s True North Apartments application was not funded due to environmental concerns. DePaul reapplied to New York State’s Home & Community Renewal in November 2023 and expects to hear about awards in March 2024.
The City of Rochester, at their cost, completed the environmental clean-up at the Central Ave. site. Several underground tanks were removed.

Central Ave Clean-Up

News…

On March 6, 2023 RIDC held its first hybrid congregational roll-out to church members at Peace Baptist Church. A total of 48 people attended.
Robin Coleman, Holy Trinity Baptist Church, was approved as RIDC Vice President.
A partnership was formed between RIDC, Helping Hand Baptist Church and Zion Hill Baptist Church, called Trilogy Collaborative, LLC. Regular meetings are ongoing. The goal is to build housing units in Zip Codes 14605, 14611 & 14621 and promote home ownership.
RIDC launched its website: www.RIDC.US
Dan Bell, Religious Society of Friends, was assigned as Grant Administrator and RIDC received a NYS Vendor No.
The board created T-shirts to identify our group at events:
RIDC devoted four meetings to an organizational S.W.O.T. exercise to discuss: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats.
We have been working together for five years and expect 2024 to be a very exciting year.
The Board meets weekly on Mondays in a hybrid format.
Board members attended House of Mercy’s Open House to see the many improvements inside the facility.
RIDC and House of Mercy teamed up for a second Mini-Clean Sweep on August 26, 2023:

Other Collaborative Relationships

We stayed abreast on the CONEA Master Plan with a final review presented by Jason Dunn and Shawn Hare, consultants. RIDC’s goals and those outlined in the Master Plan are closely aligned.
Barbara Benedict, City of Rochester Administrative Analyst, was assigned to DePaul’s True North Apartments & FLACRA Clinic and attended a RIDC meeting.
Feeding America’s Alonna Adesope attended a board meeting to present an overview. Much information was shared about possible funding sources to fight hunger.
Nick Coulter, Person Centered Housing Options (PCHO), met with RIDC to discuss grant writing collaboration.
Board members attended Mayor Evans’ breakfast event hosted by City’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
Facilitated a meeting between Family Promise’s Director Kim Hunt-Uzelac and Council Member Michael Patterson to discuss emergency family housing.
Invited to join the Inner Loop Advisory Committee.

Current Project Update

Our first project is awaiting NY State funding:

True North Apartments: two new three story buildings with a total of 70 units offering a mix of housing along with subsidized support services for the frail & elderly, and chronically homeless:
• 536 Central Ave, housing, 30 units, 3 stories
• 115-141 Portland Ave, housing 40 units, 3 stories
Substance Abuse Clinic, managed by FLACRA:
• 365-373 North St, 2.5 stories

Our development and service partners are:

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The year began with the awarding of the Central Ave. parcel to our development partner DePaul for one of two planned residential buildings.
Portland Ave. and Hudson Ave. parcels were added to the project without a need for a second RFP.
City of Rochester’s Zoning Board unanimously approved rezoning of Central Ave.
In addition to affordable apartments, the Central Ave. and Portland Ave. locations will include supportive housing for 35 chronically homeless and 20 frail elderly.

Three Parcels: SWBR Architects

Partnership with House of Mercy

RIDC began a relationship with the new director of House of Mercy, Dr. Tammy Butler.
The first joint project with House of Mercy was a mini-clean-sweep of the neighborhood on July 9th.
The neighborhood was in great shape for Jazz on the Blvd., hosted by 15th Tabernacle Beth El on July 10th.

RIDC partnered with House of Mercy on their American Rescue Plan Act grant application.
Funding was requested to support a course on Financial Basic Training, a 12 Step Spiritual Support Group, and a Clothing Resource Room.
House of Mercy’s proposal was not selected.
RIDC Board members toured House of Mercy’s clothing warehouse and had a meeting with Brian Keene, facilities manager.
The need for volunteers to interact with customers at House of Mercy’s clothing outlet led to congregants stepping forward in that role.

RIDC stayed abreast on the CONEA area Master Plan with two reviews presented by Jason Dunn and Shawn Hare, consultants.
RIDC’s goals and those outlined in the Master Plan are closely aligned.

Iglesia Pentecostal Church withdrew from Rochester Interfaith Development Corporation in 2022.
RIDC is now represented by board members from four churches.
RIDC’s board is now nearly complete with the goal of having three representatives from each congregation.

Neighborhood Tour

In 2022 RIDC designed a logo for RIDC T-shirts to identify our group at community events and in our printed communications.

We have been working together for four years and we expect 2023 to be very exciting with the start of construction on the True North project.
The Board meets weekly on Mondays in a hybrid format, both via Zoom & in-person.

In Closing…

Meetings are well attended and the members are dedicated to learning and growing as an organization.
In 2023, we expect to identify our next project, continue our collaborations with House of Mercy and refine our skills so we can move forward seeking funding on our own.

Our current focus is providing supportive services we believe will enhance the quality of life for True North’s residents.
Our work is guided by God. We are proud to be doing what needs to be done to improve the lives of Rochester’s most vulnerable citizens.