named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Code Blue Warming Centers
Provides emergency shelter during extreme cold weather in partnership with Monroe County
Food Pantry
Provides food to individuals facing food insecurity, supported entirely by donations
Peer Advocate Training Program
Trains individuals, especially from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, to support mental health and substance abuse recovery
Street Outreach Program
Engages with unhoused individuals in the community to connect them with shelter, food, and support services
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 3 activities
- Conducting street outreach for unhoused individualsEngages in active street outreach, particularly during extreme weather conditions, to connect unhoused individuals with shelter, food, and essential services. This program is supported by donated supplies and integrated with the food pantry and residential services.
- Facilitating access to health and social servicesHosts resource connection events, such as on World Homeless Day, to link individuals experiencing homelessness with counseling, medical care, and social services. Provides ongoing advocacy support as part of its holistic service model.
- Operating emergency shelter for homeless individualsProvides safe emergency shelter and overnight accommodations to homeless and vulnerable individuals in Rochester, NY. The organization has offered continuous shelter services for over 40 years, initially founded in 1985 on Central Park and later operating from Hudson Avenue.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Distributing clothing and personal care itemsProvides essential non-food items including clothing and personal care products to guests accessing shelter, food pantry, and outreach services in Rochester.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Providing meals and food pantry servicesOperates a food pantry that distributes food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, supported entirely by donated food and monetary contributions. The pantry receives regular large-scale donations, such as over 3,500 pounds of food during community giving events, and provides meals daily to shelter guests and outreach participants.
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
- Training peer advocates for mental health and substance abuse supportConducts capacity-building training programs focused on preparing Black, Indigenous, and people of color to serve as peer advocates in mental health and substance use recovery, expanding community-based support networks.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.75M
Contributions & grants$810K29%
Program service revenue$1.95M71%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$-15K
expenses
Total expenses$2.72M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$1.73M
Grants paid out$206K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.34M
Cash$310K
Investments$97K
Liabilities$217K
Net assets$4.13M
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +21.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR TAMMY BUTLER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (UNTIL 2/21/25) | 45 | $128K |
board members · 12
- BERNARD J SASS — MEMBER EMERITUS
- CAROL TOMETSKO — SECRETARY
- CATHERINE THOMAS — BOARD MEMBER
- EDWARD P HOURIHAN JR — CHAIR
- HABIBE HAKIQI — TREASURER
- JAMES SMITH — CO-CHAIR
- JOAN HINMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- KATHLEEN HANFORD — BOARD MEMBER
- KATHY M PURCELL — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT TURNER — BOARD MEMBER
- RON GREEN — BOARD MEMBER
- VAN GRIFFIN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Partner — Helped spread the word and encouraged volunteers for "The Big Give" event.
- Channel 10 WHEC Funder — Sponsor of The Big Give food donation campaign.
- Channel 10 WHEC Partner — Sponsored "The Big Give" fundraising and food drive event.
- City of Rochester Government — Collaborates on Code Blue services including transportation access to warming centers.
- FLIPA’s Social Care Network Network — House of Mercy participates as part of a coordinated system delivering integrated social services.
- House of Mercy Partner — Accepts new clothing and essential goods donations through direct contact with the organization.
- Loowit Marketing & Management, LLC Partner — Website design and management services
- MVP Health Funder — Sponsor of The Big Give food donation campaign.
- MVP Health Partner — Sponsored "The Big Give" fundraising and food drive event.
- McQuaid Jesuit Partner — Helped spread the word and encouraged volunteers for "The Big Give" event.
- McQuaid Jesuit Crew Team Partner — Partner organization conducting a fundraising event to support House of Mercy.
- McQuaid Jesuit Crew Team Partner — Youth rowing team conducting fundraising initiative (Row for Hope) in support of House of Mercy.
- Monroe County Government — Partner in implementing the Code Blue Plan to operate warming centers during extreme cold.
- Red Wings Funder — Sponsor of The Big Give, a community food donation campaign supporting House of Mercy.
- Red Wings Partner — Sponsored "The Big Give" fundraising and food drive event.
- Regional Transit Service (RTS) Partner — Provides free rides to warming centers during Code Blue activations.
- Rochester Network — Primary service location and community served
- St. John the Evangelist Church Partner — Helped spread the word and encouraged volunteers for "The Big Give" event.
- Ways to Help Partner — Internal page directing volunteers to donation and support opportunities
- Whitney Snead Funder — Director of Development responsible for managing donation inquiries and development activities.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Integrated Resource Modelmethodology: community-driven careBy leveraging community donations, volunteer engagement, and partner networks, the organization sustains its services and expands reach because local participation builds ownership, trust, and resilience in service delivery.
- Dignity-Centered Service Deliverymethodology: dignity-centered distributionBy distributing only new clothing and integrating dignity into service design, the organization fosters self-worth and reduces stigma because material quality and respect are seen as essential to effective care.
- Housing-First with Integrated Supportmethodology: housing-firstBy providing safe shelter alongside compassionate, long-term support services, the organization creates pathways to stability for homeless and vulnerable populations because housing is treated as a foundational need that enables engagement with additional resources.