Leaving a place better off than how you found it….

~ By Susan K. Porter, Photo: poughkeepsiejournal.com

Our good neighbors at Rochester Correctional Facility are no longer able to help with Saturday Clean-up events.

In case you have not heard, the Rochester Correctional Facility, NYS Work Release (RCF NYS) program, located on Ford Street in Corn Hill will close in March 2022. The press reported that the men and the work release program are relocating to Orleans Corr. Facility, Albion, NY. Established in the early 1970’s, it was the first work-release facility in New York State. It is too soon to know if there is a way for them to continue the volunteer work on Saturdays with Corn Hill Neighbors Assn.

Last year, the Rochester Correctional Facility (RCF NYS) sent 72 volunteers and they spent, on average, 3 hours working for a total of 234 hours. Hidden from sight unless you are out walking on a Saturday morning, clean-up events have been happening for the last ten years. Behind the scenes, RCF counseling staff contributed by recruiting and completing the extra paperwork required to release the volunteers.

Teams of volunteers from the RCF and neighbors worked side-by-side moving mulch, edging beds and weeding, planting perennials, picking up branches, debris, and trash at the dozen sites the Beautification Committee maintains. Our green spaces and parks received lots of tender loving care.

The relationship with the RCF has been a long and mutually beneficial one – helping Corn Hill look inviting and giving work releasees a chance to volunteer, get some fresh air and give back to their community. Corn Hill Neighbors Association provided breakfast and lunch in appreciation of their service. Good neighbors are those who leave the place better than when they found and the volunteers from RCF did just that.

Image Credit: poughkeepsiejournal.com

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