New Program, Paint and President + Golf Registration Closes Sept 1!
Hope and Healing to the Streets
On any given night, approximately 1,054 Rochester residents are unhoused. Many of these individuals require immediate medical attention that does not rise to the level of emergency care, yet still demands timely, compassionate intervention. At the same time, they would greatly benefit from establishing long-term health through consistent primary care.
However, traditional healthcare delivery often fails to reach this population due to significant barriers, including a lack of trust, limited transportation, and the daily challenges of survival. To address this gap, we are excited to welcome Michael Brennan, D.N.P., F.N.P. back to our team as a provider and the director of our Street Medicine program.
Through this mobile, relationship-based approach, we aim to connect with at least 300 individuals in temporary shelters or encampments by the end of 2025 and deliver approximately 150 monthly medical visits, including minor procedures, each month. Since launching the program in June, we’ve already enrolled and are currently serving 81 patients.
If you’re interested in learning more, or in helping us with supplies for these individuals we are serving, you can check out Michael’s podcast, Street Side, or shop for necessary supplies on our Amazon wishlist that will help us best care for these patients experiencing homelessness. We’ll also be utilizing funds raised at our upcoming Fore Rochester golf tournament to support this program.
If You’re Interested in Learning More…
Check out Michael Brennan on his podcast! Street Side: The Street Medicine Student Coalition Official Podcast, is a podcast for advocates to gain inspiration. This includes street medicine practitioners, harm reductionists, mental health workers and clinicians, health professional students, legislators and public health workers, and any and all others driven to improve their communities. It is meant to be a place for listeners to find respite, recharge, and get inspired to continue the advocacy work in the sectors of their choice.
A Fresh Coat
…of paint! You may not be able to see all the changes happening inside our walls as you drive by, but you’ll definitely notice the fresh paint on the outside. An updated exterior on our 19th Ward clinic (with some new signage coming!) is only a glimpse of the work being done on our renovation project with DGA and MRB. The back half of our building has nearly transformed into a space that includes three new counseling rooms, a mother’s room, some staff offices, and a relocated community room. Phase One is still on target for an end of August completion, with Phase Two set to begin in the fall. Phase Two will involve updating floors and surfaces, the addition of an exam room, and a slight redesign of hallways, improving flow for our patients and our team.
We’ve welcomed in a few friends and partners for a Hard Hat Tour over the past couple months to see the progress, and we'd love to extend another invitation to you! Come visit our 19th Ward location on Arnett for approximately 30 min to see the renovations in progress and get a brief update on where we’re at and what’s to come! Reach out to Mike or Melissa for more information.
Golf for Good!
Our 2nd annual Fore Rochester Golf Tournament at Ravenwood Golf Club on September 15, 2025 is just around the corner! Help us raise essential funds for equipment, supplies, and workforce required to open our new Beechwood location on Parsells Ave, and purchase supplies for our new Street Medicine program, by joining in the fun.
REGISTER a team
DONATE silent auction prizes
SPONSOR the event
Slots are filling fast, but there’s still a chance to register. We still have several sponsorship opportunities available as well. Registration closes September 1st, so don’t wait!
Don’t play golf? There’s certainly no experience necessary, and sometimes the teams that have the most fun are the one’s who aren’t “golfers.” But if golfing really isn’t your thing, and you would still like to be involved, please reach out to us about volunteering, or make a donation today!
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY:
10:30 am Registration/ Raffles / Coffee / Driving Range
11:00 am Lunch
12:00 pm Shotgun start
4:30 pm Cocktail hour with Ray Mahar (Local Sound Collaborative) & Award Presentation
A huge thank you to all of our Sponsors for helping make this event possible and giving us a strong start!
Presenting Sponsor:
Supporting Sponsors:
Partnering Sponsors:
Meet Our New President
We’re excited to welcome our new Board president, Beth Larter, to the team! Beth has been a member of our board since 2022, and as a resident of the neighborhood where we are located, has been a key player in supporting our work in the community. Here are a few things to get to know Beth:
What do you do for a living?
I am a school librarian, working at Walt Disney Elementary in Gates Chili.
What do you love about His Branches and why did you get involved?
I love the way His Branches as an organization seeks to care for the whole person and community. I have experienced the impact of His Branches as a positive presence in the neighborhood, first as a neighbor and then as a patient. As someone who historically has had a lot of anxiety about seeking healthcare, the
warm and proactive care I have received at His Branches has helped me become a healthier person and I want my neighbors to have the chance to experience that life-changing care as well.
What do you hope to see us accomplish?
I hope to see His Branches continue to be a sustainable, trusted, and growing healthcare presence in the Rochester community. I'm also excited to see His Branches expand mental health services, because that is such a vital part of caring for the whole person. One way I would love to see His Branches expand is to increase health education opportunities in the neighborhood so that more people can access information to support their mental and physical health.
What needs could our supporters help us meet or where do you see a need for people getting involved?
I would just encourage supporters to show up to events whenever possible and to continue to share with their friends and circles who might not know about the good things the staff at His Branches are doing every day.