Moving Forward

HOUSING, FOOD, BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT

Help with housing, food, ID, transportation, and more.

No safe place tonight? Start with Emergency Shelter — ID is not required. Getting ID as soon as possible will help with next steps.

• Emergency Shelter
  • Monroe County DHS Access emergency shelter during the day or after hours.
  • Emergency Shelter List Local shelters with instructions on how to access them and navigate the DHS process
• ID Recovery Steps for obtaining a Social Security card, birth certificate, or New York State ID, including where to go and what you need. No ID at all? No ID at all? Some pathways exist for people starting from zero — contact a REENTRY ORGANIZATION for help.
• Food Resources Find free meals and food pantries
  • Rochester Free Meal Programs
  • Foodlink Food Locator Tool
• Housing Support beyond Emergency Shelter
  • Person Centered Housing Options Housing-first programs with case management to support long-term stability
  • The Housing Council: Tenant services, Frequently Asked Questions, and other free resources
  • Rochester Housing Authority Rental assistance programs
• NYS Benefits & Temporary Assistance Helps you access food stamps, financial assistance, and other essential supports
• Additional Everyday Support Services
  • Matthew’s Closet Free clothing available with a referral from a service provider
  • Lifeline Phone Discount Discounted phone or internet service so you can stay connected
  • Child Care Council Help finding and paying for childcare services
  • Lifespan / Office for the Aging Services and support for older adults and caregivers
  • Public Transportation Learn how to navigate local bus and transit systems

GET PREPARED

These tools help you prepare for background checks, discuss your record clearly, and move forward with confidence. Staff from REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS can help you obtain and review your RAP sheet, gather evidence of rehabilitation, and prepare your personal statement.

• RAP Sheets Get a copy of your criminal record so you can review it for accuracy and prepare for applications
  • Virtual RAP Sheet presentation
  • A Guide to Getting, Understanding, & Correcting your Conviction Record
• Gather Evidence of Rehabilitation Show progress through program completion, work history, or community involvement
• Personal Statement & References Explain your past, highlight your growth, and provide trusted references
  • How to write a Personal Statement
  • How to request and use Letters of Reference
• Navigating Background Checks Prepare for employer questions and learn how to discuss your record clearly and honestly
• Parole Preparation Guide (NYS) Guidance on preparing for a parole board appearance

EMPLOYMENT

Some employers are more open to hiring people with conviction records — these resources can help you find opportunities and prepare, even if you are on probation or parole.

Not hearing back from employers? See GET PREPARED to strengthen your applications and navigate background checks. 

• RochesterWorks Rochester’s primary one-stop career center
  • Watch this 2 minute video
  • Services for Job Seekers
  • One-stop career center for adults
  • Young adults ages 14-24
  • Rochester Job Board
• PathStone Employment Focused Services (EFS) Program Paid training, certifications, and job placement support for probationers and court-referred job seekers.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Immediate paid work, ongoing job coaching, and support; Rochester office contact info
• Professional & Occupational Licensing in NYS with a Conviction Record
  • Two downloadable guides Getting Licensed by NYSED with a Conviction History, and Answering Conviction History Questions on Professional Licensure Applications in NYS
  • Occupation-Specific Licensing Guides: Learn about licensing information and conviction policies for 25 high-demand NY occupations.
• NYS Department of Labor
  • Register for a Career Center class, workshop, job fair, or job club
  • Apprenticeships Earn a paycheck while learning a skilled trade
  • Federal Bonding Program Provides insurance to employers, helping reduce risk and increase hiring opportunities; Video in English and Spanish
  • Career Development resources: Guides for resumes, cover letters and job applications, job search and networking, interviewing, career assessment, and more.
  • Reentry Info: Includes The Prime Objective: A Job Seeking Guide for People with Convictions
• NYS ACCESS VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) Employment services and support for individuals with disabilities, including training and job placement
• Job, Career, & Business Resources at the Central Library
  • Central Library Job Information Center Professional Licensing and Civil Service Test Preparation Guides
  • Business Insight Center Market Research, Carlson Center for Intellectual Property, Patent Virtual Assistance Center, Cannabis Support and Resources, and more

LEGAL RELIEF & YOUR RIGHTS

Learn how to improve your record and protect your rights. Every person with a conviction can apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation. It’s worth knowing all your options. Need a lawyer? See LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS.

• Clean Slate & Record Sealing (NYS) Learn how eligible records can be sealed and no longer appear in most background checks
• Certificates of Rehabilitation (Relief & Good Conduct) Official documents that can improve your chances of getting a job, housing, or professional license
•  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Answers to common questions about record sealing, employment rights, and discrimination
• Know Your Rights Information on legal protections and recent law changes
  • Know Your Voting Rights Most New Yorkers with conviction records are eligible to vote!
  • Recognizing Discrimination How to identify and respond to unfair treatment
  • Cannabis (Marijuana) Legalization What it Means for New Yorkers

LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS

Free or low-cost legal advice, representation, and systems advocacy.

• Legal Assistance of Western New York (LAWNY) Record sealing and employment discrimination based on conviction history and other civil matters
• JustCause Connects eligible individuals with volunteer attorneys in civil matters
• NY Courts Help / LawHelpNY Self-help tools and guides for navigating the legal system
• Legal Aid Society of Rochester Attorney for the Child, education law, domestic violence legal services, housing and consumer law, and immigration law
• Empire Justice Center Direct representation in policy impact litigation cases
• Legal Action Center (LAC) The LAC Resource Library contains a wealth of information on discrimination and the criminal legal system.

REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS

These organizations help you make a plan and connect to services — housing, employment, ID, healthcare, and more.

• Reentry Association of Western NYOne-stop support for housing, employment, ID, healthcare, and more
• Judicial Process Commission Help with RAP sheets, certificates of rehabilitation, mentoring, and advocacy
• Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) Recovery, workforce development, and support for long-term stability
• Delphi Rise Reentry Case management for housing, employment, treatment, and reentry planning
• Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach Supportive housing and reentry services

ADULT EDUCATION & SKILLS TRAINING

Many programs are flexible and short-term – a good way to qualify for better jobs over time.

• High School Equivalency & GED testing
  • OACES
  • Action for a Better Community
  • The GED Test
• Career & Technical Training Hands-on training for in-demand careers
  • OACES
  • Monroe BOCES Career Centers (East & West)
  • Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
  • Monroe Community College
• Literacy & Digital Skills Improve reading, math, computer, and online navigation skills
  • Literacy Rochester
  • Northstar Digital Literacy
• Rochester Education Justice Initiative College-level learning opportunities for incarcerated individuals

HEALTH & RECOVERY

You don’t need insurance to get started. Many providers here are free or low-cost, and coverage help is available when you’re ready. In crisis right now? See CRISIS SUPPORT.

• Community Health Providers These providers can help even if you do not have insurance, ID, or money today
  • Jordan Health WISH-TC adults 18 years and older who are involved in the criminal legal system; multiple sites throughout Rochester.
  • His Branches Primary and mental health care for all ages; 19th Ward and Beechwood neighborhoods sites.
  • St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center Primary and mental health care for adults; South Wedge neighborhood site.
  • Trillium Health Primary and mental health care for all ages; located in the Monroe Village neighborhood
• Mental Health Support Counseling and mental health services
  • Spiritus Christi Mental Health Center  Care and supports at no charge for those unable to afford the cost of care
  • Monroe County Mental Health Service Providers List of Monroe County-funded providers and programs
• Substance Use Recovery Peer support groups, treatment programs, and recovery services
  • Monroe County Addiction Service Providers: List of Monroe County-funded providers and programs
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Rochester, NY Area Intergroup: peer support for people who want help stopping drinking
  • Narcotics Anonymous: Peer support for people working toward recovery from drug use
• Medical Insurance Healthcare Navigators help you compare options and enroll in coverage that fits your needs and budget. Navigators are unbiased and not connected to insurance companies.
  • LAWNY
  • CCSI
  • Neighborhood Legal Services

CRISIS SUPPORT

For ongoing health and recovery support, see HEALTH & RECOVERY.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Free, confidential, 24/7 phone or text national support for people in emotional distress
• 211 / LIFE LINE Free 24/7 local information, referrals, and live phone support for crisis and social services in Monroe County
• MyWayFinder Free health and human services local resource directory
• Willow Domestic Violence Center Emergency and ongoing support for domestic violence

I’M A VETERAN

Support for veterans, service members, and their families.

• Rochester Vet Center Free, confidential counseling for veterans, service members, and families—no medical setting
• Veterans Outreach Center Free personalized services helping veterans and families reach stability
• VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program Connects justice-involved veterans to treatment and services; Rochester: (585) 208-2108
• VA Health Care for Re-entry Veterans Program Helps incarcerated veterans plan for release and reconnect with VA care and support after incarceration
• Veterans Defense Program (VDP) Legal support and treatment-focused advocacy for veterans in criminal or family court
• ROC Veterans Local hub connecting Finger Lakes veterans to area programs and services
• Monroe County Veterans Service Agency Help with veterans benefits, claims, and local services
• NYSDOL Veterans Services Employment assistance, job search help, and career resources for veterans
• New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Statewide benefits, claims, and veteran advocacy
• Operation Recognition (New York State) High school diplomas awarded to eligible veterans who left school to serve
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Federal VA benefits: healthcare, housing, education, and more