ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A first-of-its-kind county-developed emergency shelter opened its doors to families in Rochester’s Corn Hill neighborhood this week. The “Moving Forward Family Shelter” will provide housing to up to 58 families.

Shakiare Smith says she is just happy to have a roof over her kids’ heads.

“Staff is very good with children. Good with the kids. They basically helping out a lot. They really care,” Smith said.

Like everyone at Moving Forward Family Shelter, Smith was referred by the Monroe County Department of Human Services which leases the building.

“We are making sure that families who are facing residential insecurity who are currently residing in hotels are actually able to go into a shelter. They can actually have hands on, around-the-clock, twenty-four-hours support, which, like, the name says — will help them move forward in their lives,” said Dr. Junior

Dillion, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York which will operate the new facility.
Dr. Dillion says the first-of-its-kind partnership with Monroe County will be a difference maker.

“We just officially opened Monday, already have 10 families in here. That’s 28 total. So, really across the year, we could be looking at 1,000 individuals being served in this shelter,” Dillion said.

At full capacity, the shelter can house up to 58 families — more than doubling the amount of existing family shelter space in Monroe County. Rooms vary by size, but the largest can house a family of eight.
To Smith, it’s more than just a shelter. It’s peace of mind and hope for a new beginning.

“They really care. They really care. I want to thank the VOA for helping me and my four children,” Smith said.

As News10NBC has reported, some neighbors in the area have expressed hesitation about having the shelter so close to their homes.

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