Rochester Speaks

Laurie Valentine, CEO of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children, returns for part two of our conversation about SPCC's work in Rochester, this time focusing on what drives the mission forward, how the community can get involved and what the next chapter looks like for the country's oldest nonprofit agency.Laurie shares what she believes is the true catalyst for change in the families SPCC serves, a caring adult who believes in the potential of both the child and the parent, and explains why nurturing parents so they can nurture their children is at the heart of nearly every program the organization runs. She also shares the story of a young mom who at 22, after years of hardship, finished school, landed a full time job and is buying her first home.Many of SPCC's programs currently have long waiting lists, and donations play a critical role in filling the gaps that grant funding cannot cover, from back to school supplies and beds to security deposits for mothers leaving abusive situations and pots and pans for young parents starting their first home. Monthly giving, legacy gifts, one time donations and event sponsorships are all ways the community can help.The 39th Children's Classic Golf Tournament takes place June 29th at Irondequoit Country Club. Foursomes, sponsorships and auction prize donations are all still available.Register for the golf tournament at spccgolf2026.org, make a donation or learn more at spcc-roch.org, or reach the team directly at giving@spcc-roch.org.

Joan Margaret, artist, art teacher at the Memorial Art Gallery and founder of Billboard Art ROCs, joins the show to talk about what happens when you combine a love of color, a commitment to community and a drive down a gray stretch of 490 after COVID.Discover how Billboard Art ROCs got its start when Joan noticed how dismal the messaging around her felt on her daily commute and decided to do something about it, eventually placing her vibrant floral paintings on digital billboards around Rochester and receiving emails from strangers whose days were turned around by what they saw. Learn about her ongoing Have a Heart Hidden Heart Daily Painting Challenge for Charity, a project where hidden hearts are embedded in every painting and proceeds go to local organizations including the Center for Youth and Mount Hope Family Center.The initiative has grown to include students from the Memorial Art Gallery winter camp, Rochester City schools and charter schools, with the goal of getting community created artwork up on billboards in the neighborhoods where those students actually live. Joan also shares how the vinyl from completed billboard installations is being recycled into billboard art bags by a local artisan, keeping the materials out of landfills and generating revenue to fund more programming.Joan also teaches creative workshops for all ages at the Memorial Art Gallery, from five year olds to an 84 year old current student, with scholarships available for those with financial need. All class listings are available through the Memorial Art Gallery website under creative workshops.To learn more about Billboard Art ROCs, get involved or inquire about sponsorship visit joanmargaret.com or email info@joanmargaret.com.

Dr. Sara Calus, Director of Educational and Clinical Services at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center, joins the show to talk about the work happening every day with Rochester's youngest and most vulnerable children, and why the first five years of life are the most important window to pay attention to.Discover what early intervention really means, a state funded play based program that sends physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and special educators into homes to coach parents and support children ages zero to five with developmental delays, communication challenges, sensory processing differences and motor development. Rochester Hearing and Speech Center is the only nonprofit with a footprint in Monroe County still providing these services, doing so despite state reimbursement rates that have barely budged since the program launched in 1993. As of this morning 743 children in Monroe County are on the waiting list for services they qualify for but cannot yet access.Dr. Calus explains how the whole child approach at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center means therapists are not just working on one skill in isolation but collaborating across disciplines to address gross motor, sensory processing, communication and cognitive development all at once. Parents are coached at every visit so that progress continues throughout the week, not just during the hour a therapist is present.Parents with questions about their child's development can call 753-KIDS to request an evaluation, speak with their pediatrician or attend the free guided play dates held the first Saturday of every month at the facility. All families of young children are welcome.The Superhero 5K and Family Fun Run is Sunday June 7th at Seneca Park. Walk, run, roll or stroll, come dressed as your favorite superhero and celebrate the kids who face every challenge with extraordinary determination.Register and learn more at rhsc.org.Sonnet 4.6

When Julianne Groff was asked to apply for the Executive Director role at Webster Comfort Care Home in 2021, her first reaction was that she was a social worker, not a business person. Today she is the Webster Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Person of the Year, and her story is a reminder that leading with your heart is its own kind of business strategy.Discover how Julianne went from making referrals to Webster Comfort Care as a hospice social worker to running the organization, and why she believes that if your heart is truly in the work, the rest falls into place. Learn about the depth of her community involvement across church groups, the Webster Health and Education Network, Soul Sisters, Free Mom Hugs, the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, the women's club, the food pantry and her recent advocacy work for people living with long haul COVID.Julianne also shares a deeply personal story about how the Webster Museum became a monthly refuge for her and her father during his battle with dementia, a place where his long term memories came alive and connected them in ways nothing else could. That experience deepened her love for Webster and for the kind of community that makes those moments possible.Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, explains the criteria behind the Business Person of the Year award and why Julianne embodies everything the honor is meant to recognize. In keeping with chamber tradition a donation has been made in Julianne's name to a charity of her choice, the Webster Museum.Learn more about the Webster Chamber and upcoming volunteer and membership opportunities at websterchamber.com.

Founded in 1946, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Rochester Area is one of the three oldest addiction councils in the country, and this May it is celebrating 80 years of uninterrupted service to Monroe County. Jennifer Faringer, Director at DePaul NCADD-RA, joins the show to reflect on that history and look ahead at the work still to be done.Discover how the face of addiction has shifted dramatically over eight decades, from single substance dependence to polysubstance use, from the opioid crisis and the trajectory from prescription painkillers to heroin to fentanyl, to the return of cocaine, the rise of synthetic drugs and the often overlooked challenge of problem gambling. Learn why the legalization of marijuana created what Jennifer calls a tsunami of misinformation, and why legal and safe are not the same thing when it comes to driving, pregnancy or youth development.NCADD-RA does not provide treatment directly but maintains an updated treatment provider directory every six months and connects individuals and families to the right resources. If someone you love is not yet ready for treatment, Jennifer shares what you can do right now to be prepared for the moment they are, including peer support groups, recovery community organizations and the resources available at ncadd-ra.org.The 80th Anniversary Luncheon is Thursday May 15th at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Jefferson Road. Register now at ncadd-ra.org.

Peter Soufleris, founder of IngenID and University of Rochester alum, pulls back the curtain on one of the most quietly important technologies being developed right here in Rochester, voice biometrics and deep fake detection that protects millions of people from identity fraud every day.Discover what voice biometrics actually is, how companies like Spectrum use the sound characteristics of your voice to verify your identity during a call, and why the rise of deep fake audio technology has made that process both more urgent and more complex. Learn why Peter believes the battle between AI fraud and AI defense looks a lot like the early days of computer viruses and antivirus software, a constant cycle of measures and countermeasures that requires real time updates and relentless vigilance.Peter shares the story of a Wall Street career path that took an unexpected turn when he discovered voice biometrics as an investor 20 years ago and never looked back, and explains why he deliberately chose Rochester over Silicon Valley to build his company, hiring only locally and leaning on the deep tech talent ecosystem surrounding the University of Rochester and RIT.Peter also offers practical advice on what individuals and companies can do right now to protect themselves from deep fake voice scams, including what call center agents should be listening for and why multifactor authentication is your best defense.To learn more or start a conversation about protecting your organization visit ingenid.com.

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working age Americans, and most people do not notice vision problems until something significant has already happened. Dr. Connolly and Margaret Whelehan from Retina Associates of Western New York join the show to talk about why early screening changes everything, and how Rochester is getting its very own free diabetic eye screening event on Saturday April 25th.Discover how diabetes affects the blood vessels that supply the retina, what diabetic retinopathy actually looks like and why catching it early can mean the difference between a simple treatment and a serious surgery. Dr. Connolly also explains what warning signs to watch for, including crooked lines, floaters and sudden vision changes, and why an abrupt change in vision should always be treated as urgent.The Rochester Community Diabetic Eye Screening Program runs Saturday April 25th from 8am to 3pm at 160 Sawgrass Drive Suite 200 in Brighton. The screening takes between 30 and 60 minutes and includes a health history review, visual acuity check, eye pressure check, wide field retinal imaging and an OCT scan. Every participant gets a face to face conversation with a retina specialist. Also on site are healthcare navigators from CCSI to help with insurance enrollment, diabetes educators from RADE with free educational resources and a nurse offering free blood sugar checks.Appointments are required due to high demand. Schedule now at retinaassociatesofwny.com.

Dr. Junior Dillion, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York, brings a personal and urgent perspective to the challenges facing Rochester's most vulnerable residents, and explains why the work of VOA has never mattered more than it does right now.Discover how VOA connects housing, health and human services into a unified continuum of care serving over 10,000 people across Monroe, Broome and Tompkins Counties. Programs range from one of Monroe County's largest family shelters and permanent supportive housing to a children's center, reentry services for people coming out of the criminal justice system, universal pre-K and a hydroponic farm growing fresh produce for people who would otherwise go without.Dr. Dillion makes a compelling case for permanent supportive housing, a model showing 80 to 90% housing retention after one year, reductions in emergency room visits, hospitalizations and incarceration, and real economic returns as formerly homeless individuals gain employment and become contributing members of the community. He also shares why that model is currently under threat at the federal level and what VOA is doing to protect and grow it locally.Growing up in England in a low income family with coin operated electricity, Dr. Dillion knows firsthand what it means to struggle, and that experience shapes every decision he makes as the leader of this 130 year old organization.The VOA Upstate New York Gala is April 16th at the Har East Ballroom, with Indiana Barry from News 10 NBC as MC, live music, food and a chance to learn more about the programs your support makes possible.Visit voaupny.org to donate, volunteer or learn about upcoming initiatives including Strikeout Poverty with Citizens Bank and the Red Wings and the I Remember Mama senior outreach program.

Most people hear the name Holy Childhood and think school or church. In reality it is an 80 year old Rochester organization serving over 400 individuals with developmental disabilities, from kindergarten all the way through retirement age, and it is one of the most quietly powerful nonprofits in our community.Nate Zelesnikar, Director of Programs and Services, and Jillian Nalivyko, Public Relations Manager, share what Holy Childhood actually does, including a K through 12 school, adult habilitative and vocational programs, clinical services, respite care and supported employment partnerships with local businesses. Every individual has a personalized plan, every staff member asks whether what they are doing would be good enough for their own family, and the result is an organization that feels less like a nonprofit and more like a family.Funded through a combination of Medicaid, state and federal support and a generous donor community, Holy Childhood is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year with two major events. Party at Center Ice returns for its 13th year on April 17th at the Tim Hortons Ice Plex, with wine, spirits, beer and local food vendors, drawing 600 to 700 people annually. The 80th Anniversary Gala follows on May 16th at Oak Hill Country Club's brand new ballroom, one of the very first public events to be held there.Visit holychild.org/events to learn more, get tickets or find out how to volunteer, donate or schedule a tour.

Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce and RocEnroll, joins the show with an urgent reminder that Medicare Advantage enrollees have until March 31st to make a one time plan change for 2026, and what you do not know could cost you.Discover why thousands of Monroe County residents needed to switch plans this year after major carriers including UnitedHealthcare discontinued their local offerings, and how changes to formularies, hospital network coverage and benefits can quietly make the plan you selected in November the wrong plan by January. Learn how to spot the difference between an official Medicare communication and a solicitation designed to look like one, and why the fine print at the bottom of that mailer matters more than the headline at the top.Hear why missing Medicare enrollment deadlines can result in financial penalties that follow you for the rest of your life, and how having a trusted local enrollment partner in your corner makes sure that never happens to you. Barry also explains how RocEnroll serves anyone in New York State at any age, from Medicaid and the Essential Plan to marketplace coverage and Medicare, with zero cost to the client, ever.Time is running out. If your doctors, drugs or hospital system are not fully covered, or if you simply want to make sure you are in the best available plan, call RocEnroll before March 31st.Visit rocenroll.com or call 585.265.3851.

Dr. Cait Loury, Chief Education Officer at Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts in Greece, pulls back the curtain on one of Rochester's most distinctive public schools, where arts integration isn't an elective, it's the engine of academic achievement.Discover how teaching artists co-teach alongside classroom teachers every single day, weaving music, dance, drama, and visual arts into core subjects like math, helping students understand fractions through musical scores and composition. Learn why research shows arts activities regulate the nervous system and unlock higher-order thinking, especially for students who've experienced trauma, and how Renaissance Academy's New York State test scores back it up.Hear how the school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade, drawing 80% of its enrollment from the city of Rochester, and why families across the region enter the lottery to secure a spot. Cait also shares the school's whole child approach, three on staff mental health professionals, an on site food pantry, and deep family support services that make it far more than just a school.The lottery deadline is April 1st. Learn more and apply at renacad.org.

Veronica Ryan, creator of the blog Borderline Babe, shares her deeply personal journey with borderline personality disorder, diagnosed at age 21, and how treatment, vulnerability, and radical honesty became the foundation of her recovery and her mission.Discover what BPD actually is at a neurological level, including the physical processing deficits in the frontal lobe that affect emotional regulation, and learn about dynamic deconstructive psychotherapy, the intensive treatment developed at Upstate's psychiatry high risk program that helped bring Veronica's symptoms into remission.Hear why Veronica believes mental health is physical health, why listening without trying to fix is the most powerful thing you can offer someone who is struggling, and how her unfiltered weekly diary drops on Borderline Babe are creating a safe space for people who have never felt safe enough to speak.Veronica also shares the most important first step anyone can take when they're struggling, and why telling your story should always be on your own terms.Follow Veronica at borderlinebabe.com and on Instagram at @veronicaeryan.

Mike McOrmond, Executive Director of Flower City Outreach, shares the remarkable four decade story of a mission rooted in faith, neighbor love and the belief that serving your community is serving God. Flower City Outreach is a Christ centered nonprofit that exists to mobilize the Church into service that the city might see Jesus. Learn more at flowercityoutreach.org.Discover how Flower City Work Camp at flowercityworkcamp.org has been the flagship ministry for 40 years, sending hundreds of youth and adults into Rochester every spring break. Worksites put volunteers to work repairing the homes of neighbors in need. Sidewalk clubs bring crafts, games and Bible stories to kids in city neighborhoods Tuesday through Thursday each week. Agency sites send teams to support other Rochester nonprofits doing vital work across the city. And three sports camps, including basketball, soccer and a newer action sports and skate camp, bring energy and mentorship to young people who need it most.Hear about Weekend Edition at fcwcweekendedition.org, a year round program born out of COVID that offers one day worksite experiences for small groups, men's groups, youth groups and families. With 60 homeowners currently on the waiting list and only two being served per month, more volunteer crews are urgently needed to grow that number.Learn about Link Youth Mentorship at linkmentorship.org, a one on one program matching godly male mentors with boys ages 8 to 18 who are growing up without fathers. In a city where nearly three out of four kids are being raised without a dad, Link pairs mentors and mentees for a one year committed relationship that more often than not grows into something lasting. The program currently serves 16 young men with a goal of reaching 50 within the next year. Beyond being a mentor, volunteers can contribute through an intercessory prayer team, administrative support, match specialist roles and monthly group activities like rock climbing, Red Wings games and more.Mike also unpacks what scripture says about serving neighbors as serving Christ himself, and why he believes godly mentorship is one of the most powerful solutions to the cycles holding Rochester back.Visit flowercityoutreach.org to explore Flower City Work Camp, Weekend Edition and Link Youth Mentorship and find the right place for you to plug in.