Local church hosts City Fest as outreach event in response to violence

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The New Progressive Cathedral Church hosted its City Fest in Rochester on Sunday.

The event offered free haircuts, a job fair, health fair, school supplies, and other resources.

Organizers describe it as an outreach event put on in response to the violence that’s been overwhelming the city.

“When you expose people to opportunities or even to someone that smiles at them, you never know,” said Pastor Gary Sprewell of the New Progressive Cathedral Church. “Maybe someone hasn’t seen a smile or a hug in so long, so people just need to know that there’s hope. And I believe when people know that there’s hope, it gives them possibility. So this is our little effort to provide hope.”

For the kids, City Fest had games, face painting, bounce houses, and more.