The Good, The Gap, and Your Generosity
A Letter from the Executive Director
December 29, 2025
We pray you had a wonderful Christmas together with your family and friends. Sharing meals and gifts with one another are beautiful acts to celebrate the reality of Jesus coming to earth and “moving into the neighborhood” (John 1:14, MSG) in order to connect with, care for, and provide hope for those living in darkness.
Around A.D. 318, Saint Athanasius of Alexandria wrote a short treatise, now known as On the Incarnation. In it, he writes of the manner of Jesus’ early incarnation: “the Lord came not to be put on display but to heal and teach those who were suffering. One being put on display only needs to appear and dazzle the beholders; but one who heals and teaches does not simply sojourn, but is of service to those in need.”
Similar to this pattern established by Jesus’ coming, His Branches does not exist to impress, but does exist to be near, listen to, and create services that connect with the needs of our neighbors. Through such proximity, we display God’s love.
In 2025, our newly renovated facility on Arnett Blvd has brought excitement to our patients and allows for our team to demonstrate even greater hospitality, safety and quality care. We’re anxiously awaiting the completion of the final of three phases to be completed in March.
Thanks to donors like you, the Light the Way Campaign successfully covered the costs of expanding our behavioral health program, which has provided access for 86 new patients for 1,306 psychotherapy visits throughout the year.
In June, we began our Street Medicine Program. Our team has already provided care to more than 159 homeless individuals for 526 visits for those living on the streets of Rochester.
Although the Refugee Health Assessment program (started in 2024) has dried due to the indefinite refugee ban, we have transitioned to provide Migrant Health Assessments as one of our providers serves as a designated US Civil Surgeon. These assessments are one step in completing the lawful path to citizenship for new Americans. Our team has performed 51 screenings, with a significant number of clients establishing long-term primary care as patients of His Branches. We currently have a three month waiting list for this service and are looking to hire a new provider in January to help meet this need.
In spite of much positive news about the work accomplished alongside our neighbors, regulatory changes due to expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and HR1 (Big Beautiful Bill) will create an immediate reduction in our revenue. With 66% of patients on Medicaid and Medicare, our reimbursements already fall below costs and these changes will threaten our ability to care for those already on the margins.
Additionally, these changes will result in further reducing affordable and accessible care region wide. This gap in reimbursements and removal of coverage will greatly compromise our ability to create accessible medical and mental health care for those on the margins of society while the very need for such care is actively and rapidly rising. We need YOUR help to continue meeting the needs of our neighbors.
As we wrap up 2025, please consider partnering with us by providing a one time, year end gift (or beginning of year) or by setting up a recurring gift TODAY. Every dollar given will support this essential work of our ministry, allowing us to create hope by living out our faith in service to our community.
While we wait for the day in which the government will truly and fully rest on His shoulders, we work to see a city look a little more like heaven each day.
Together for the good of Rochester and the glory of God!
Mike Weston, Executive Director
If you’d like to set up a financial gift, learn more about how to join the Roots Collective, or find out how donor dollars are utilized toward our mission, please visit our website!