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The Rochester Salvation Army established Genesis House in 1981 as an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth, ages 16 to 20. As the only emergency shelter in Monroe County that addresses individuals ages 18-20 as youth, Genesis House offers teens and young adults food, shelter and direction to help escape the cycle of homelessness. Caseworkers share the stories of Sean and Sammy.
Sean
Sean came to Genesis House with heavy burdens and uncertainty about his future. He shared his story of a torn family and abusive stepfather. Sean suffered from depression and had a diagnosis of a cognitive disability. When creating goals and a case management plan, he told staff that his stepfather pulled him out of school and told the school officials that he would be homeschooled.
Case managers quickly began to work with Sean to develop plans for his future and help his obtain goals. Finding housing was the first goal, Sean’s case manager began to find supportive living programs that he could move into that would help him develop skills that he needs to gain independence. Because the waitlist for these programs are long, case managers also connected him to family home care services where he would be able to live with a family until a space in a residential/ supportive living program opened up.
The second goal was to obtain his vital records, find a doctor, therapist, psychiatrist. All of these things were need to enroll Sean into school and also into family care services. Case management worked diligently with local agencies to get him the care he needed.
Lastly, Sean’s third goal was to get back into school and get his GED. He started his GED program at the Office of Adult & Career Education Services (OACES) and was able to move with his foster family. Having Sean leave Genesis House was bittersweet because although staff were happy for him and his success, the team will truly miss him and the smiles he brought to their faces.
Sammy
Sammy was a young man who had been in the Genesis House program a few times before again returning to us in December of 2014. Previous times, he had not followed through with his goals and had not utilized the opportunities for a better life that were given to him. This time though, Sammy promised that he had his priorities straight and was ready to get his own place and be on his own.
Sammy successfully completed the Genesis House program at the end of January 2015. This time around he did not fall into his old habits of not following the rules and not going to appointments. With the help of his Genesis House Case Manager, he was able to stay on top of program requirements and he attended all of the required appointments and attain permanent housing in Rochester. He was also able to obtain entrance into the Job Corps and is currently awaiting permanent employment placement through.