Mary’s Place: A welcoming community for refugee empowerment
Our Mission Statement
To reach out in love, hope, and service to refugees of all faiths and nationalities, particularly those in the Maplewood/Edgerton neighborhood.
Our Promise
Only Mary’s Place empowers refugees of all faiths and nationalities through long-term, neighborhood-based services. By collaborating with diverse community partners and dedicated volunteers, we help families to navigate their new lives, and Rochester to embrace its human rights legacy.
We are Safe, Compassionate, Resourceful, Collaborative, Helpful.
About Us
Mary’s Place is a refugee outreach center that has been serving refugee families living in the City of Rochester since 2009. Mary’s Place Refugee Outreach, Inc. was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation on March 27, 2019.
We are joined by refugees from 10 nations, and we assist these individuals as they work to adjust to American culture, learn English, find employment, gain permanent residency, and ultimately, citizenship. Everyday we work to provide a safe community atmosphere for our families to come together and thrive. Our programs and services run Monday-Friday from 11:00-4:00.
Our Programs
Adult English Language Classes – Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-2pm
Case Management – 5 days per week
Immigration Services – 3 days per week (Returning Soon)
Weekly Food Distribution
Summer Children’s Day Camp sponsored by Rochester LACE – 2-week camp in which children receive education, exercise, snacks
Mary’s Place in the Media
RIT Student’s Photos of Mary’s Place from Fall 2018
Mary’s Place by Nicholas Cornish
A Post Magazine Long Form on Mary’s Place and Refugee Life in Rochester
Starting Over by Carlie Fishgold and photographed by Aleen Thaler
RIT Student’s Photojournalism Piece of the origins of Mary’s Place
Mary’s Reach by Sarah Ann Jump
Nazareth Student’s Video on the origins of Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place Refugee Outreach Center from Gregory Horton on Vimeo.
Our Board
Mark Hare (President)
Kristina Owens (Vice-President)
Richard F. Schauseil (Treasurer)
Rose Davis (Secretary)
Christine Birne
Mike Coniff
Jamie Fazio
Deqo Mohamed
Yolanda Steffa
Joe Cassidy-Schaffer
Mark Dwyer
Kathy LaBue
Mary Kay Polston
Rhonda Walker