Presidents Message Welcome December! It’s hard to believe that the year 2023 is coming to a close. I hope everyone will look back at the successes and the lessons learned in 2023 and look forward to 2024 with anticipation toward what the new year will bring. In November we hosted our Annual Convention at School 16! Our feedback from those in attendance was that it was great to meet new people and have an opportunity to catch up with those we knew, the food from People’s Choice was “more of a dinner than light refreshment”, the auction was fun and exciting and the business meeting was very informative. Overall, a good time was had by all! Thank you to everyone who took the time to support and experience our 2023 Annual Convention. Thank you (not goodbye!) to Donna Sarnacki and Jacob Adams who resigned as delegate (and alternate delegate) to District 10 and Tyrese Bryant who resigned as District 15 delegate. We welcome Cody Donahue and David  Buonaugurio who have been elected as delegate and alternate delegate in District 10 and Susan McMeekin-Davis who will serve as delegate in District 15 with Laura Suda continuing as the alternate. Please mark […]

Presidents Message Welcome October! Our thanks to the City of Rochester, County of Monroe and everyone involved with moving forward the traffic calming solution on Thurston Rd. The City of Rochester/County of Monroe news release can be read in this newsletter’s Around the Neighborhood section. There were several community engagement opportunities in September that the 19WCA participated in. Kate Washington and I tabled at Senator Cooney’s End of Summer BBQ held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church on September 9. Sandra Powell and Barbara Watts joined Ruth and I at the Genesee Baptist Church Health Fair. The Leadership Rochester class visited the 19th Ward Community Association at the Arnett Library on September 22nd. Sandra, Ruth and I enjoyed the wonderful exchange of information learning about the different organizations they represented, as they learned about the 19WCA’s role and priorities. Also on September 22nd residents of the 19WCA enjoyed a lovely evening of food, fun and fellowship at the Meet Your Delegates and Neighbors event., held at the home of Kate Washington. Planning for our Annual Convention has begun! Please mark your calendar for November 17th, 6-8pm at School #16. If you are interested in helping with this annual event, please email […]

Presidents Message August is here! 8th month – a sign of new beginnings – and my birth month! August 1st started with our National Night Out – our collaboration with our city neighbors and police officers. It was a fun event held at Genesee Valley Park. Rochester is full of positive opportunities to enjoy and support. Our Summer Reading Circle continues through August 17th. “A Gift From A Stranger,” an original one-act play is running from August 18-20, 2023 at MuCCC Theater, by its founder, Christopher T. “Amunubenheh” Brown, and his “Mom”, renowned master storyteller, multiple award-winning actor, performing arts master teaching artist, and published writer, Mama Almeta Whitis Story Doula. Performances will take place on Friday, August 18 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 19 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm, and Sunday, August 20 at 2:00 pm. August 18 is the Roc Summer Soul Festival August 19 is our monthly Clean Sweep – location to be determined. August 25 hosts several senior citizens events – please check out the enclosed flyers for details. Also on August 25th the 19WCA and Rapids Cemetery will be hosts for annual Wilson Day student volunteers (more details to come). The Westside Farmers Market […]

Presidents Message This month began with the mourning and burial of one of our neighborhood students. Six-year-old Ryan Grantham Jr. lived in the neighborhood and attended School #16. He was hit by a vehicle at Thurston and Sawyer and passed away from his injuries on June 23rd. His funeral was July 1st. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve the passing of this fine young man. There is a petition circulating requesting/demanding a cross walk at the intersection where the accident occurred. If you get an opportunity, please sign it! A new Emergency Family Shelter is coming to the 19th Ward through the efforts of the YWCA. It will be housed at 33-53 Ardmore St. A welcoming letter from the YWCA can be read in this month’s Update 19. I am very excited about this shelter coming to the 19th Ward! Save the Date! Tuesday August 1st 6-8pm for National Night Out – more details to come! Our Rapids Cemetery received a historic marker from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. An excerpt from the D&C article written by Justin Murphy is included in this Update. Reminder – The raspberries are ready for harvesting […]

Presidents Message The month of June is here and our community has already been busy! June 3rd kicked off our annual Square Fair with amazing entertainment, food vendors, and everyone having a wonderful day of fun – great job to everyone involved in the planning of this family event! June 6th kicked off the Westside Farmers Market – in spite of the challenges of air quality there was still a good turnout. June 10th kicks off our Complete Streets Makeover at Arnett and Warwick Ave.. A day of painting, music, food and community – looking forward to seeing you there! Our mini clean sweep is returning June 24th from 10-12noon at Chili and Thurston. We have one week to the Juneteenth Festival on June 17th. Sign up link for the parade, tabling, or volunteering is here: https://www.rochesterjuneteenth.com/ There is a lot happening throughout the city mentioned in this newsletter – please take the time to not only read it but participate in it! Our Delegates Council met Thursday before their summer break of monthly meetings. They are still available to reach out to with any questions or concerns you may have. We’ll restart our monthly Delegates Council meetings in September. […]