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About Us
Dedicated to building up EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods from within by engaging residents, service providers, and community partners in our holistic approach.
History of Connected Communities
After identifying a variety of neighborhood improvement opportunities, the residents of EMMA and Beechwood approached Rochester city leaders in search of support and guidance. A public/private partnership was formed that includes Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition, EMMA Business and Neighborhood Association, NEAD, the City of Rochester, Home Leasing, Hillside, Farash Foundation, and the University of Rochester.
Together, this partnership identified the Purpose Built Communities model of holistic revitalization as an ideal approach to meet the unique needs of EMMA and Beechwood. A community quarterback, Connected Communities, was created to drive systemic neighborhood transformation. Our mission is to partner with EMMA and Beechwood residents to break the cycle of poverty through antiracist community revitalization and equitable resource coordination.
The work of Connected Communities builds upon the success of earlier initiatives, including but not limited to the City's Focused Investment Strategy in Beechwood, and is informed by research such as the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge report.
This work cannot be done in isolation. In addition to working closely with neighborhood residents and community stakeholders, Connected Communities is partnered closely with the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative and our local municipality.
Our Funders
Our Community Partners
The Challenge
Despite its proud history, the City of Rochester has suffered from the effects of chronic poverty for generations. Some of the issues that feed the cycle of poverty are
Disinvestment
Redlining and disinvestment have left deep scars in our neighborhoods—fueling segregation, shrinking opportunity, and creating the conditions we’re still fighting today
High Crime
Poverty is firmly linked to incidents of illegal activity that impact both personal safety and community spirit
Aging Housing Stock
Neglected properties and absentee landlords create an environment of unsafe living conditions and neighborhood decay.
Inadequate Education
It is well known that children who start behind academically stay behind in life. Difficult socioeconomic conditions are proven to affect a child's ability to succeed in school.
Poor Health
Lack of access to healthy food contributes to childhood and adult medical issues that are compounded by a lack of access to quality healthcare.
Lack of Hope
When families live in poverty generation after generation, it becomes difficult to imagine a different way of life is possible.
When Helping Hurts
It has been said that we are "resource rich and results poor." In spite of our great culture of service, many charitable organizations have failed to realize that relief and betterment programs alone have never proven to strengthen families in the long term. This is what author and urban activist Bob Lupton describes as "Toxic Charity."
Personal responsibility is essential for emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
To do for others what they have the capacity to do for themselves is to disempower them. Getting to know community leaders first requires us to listen and respect indigenous leadership and learn the dreams of the people. And be willing to have our own ideas transformed. Connected Communities efforts seeks to be community-driven rather than volunteer-driven, community-led rather than volunteer-led.
Enabling the residents of a neighborhood to create their own solutions is obviously a much slower process than fixing problems for them. It can feel painfully slow for high-capacity supporters who would prefer a quick solution. We recognize that this is not the answer and we are committed to supporting neighbors as they lead their own neighborhood change.
"If there is no struggle there is no progress."
- Frederick Douglass
The Threat of Gentrification
The EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods are comprised of savvy residents who are committed to counteracting gentrification as best they can. By working together, and ensuring the availability of affordable housing options, access to viable transportation, job creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities, we can help ensure that the increased investment in the Beechwood and EMMA neighborhoods provides a lift to the community without displacing families in poverty. With the neighborhood leading these efforts, a brighter future can await existing and future residents.
The Approach
Our approach incorporates the following principles
Asset-Based
Community Development
We work with residents to build on the strengths already within the community. This approach empowers people to lead change using their own gifts, relationships, and resources—creating sustainable, resident-driven impact.
Holistic Revitalization
We address all aspects of community life—education, housing, jobs, health, and safety—to build thriving neighborhoods. Our model, based on Purpose Built Communities, includes cradle-to-career education, mixed-income housing, and strong community services.
Geographically Focused
We focus resources in EMMA and Beechwood to drive long-term, measurable neighborhood change. A targeted, place-based approach allows for deeper impact and customized solutions based on each neighborhood’s unique strengths and challenges.
Community Quarterback
We unite residents and partners around a shared mission to break the cycle of poverty in EMMA and Beechwood. As the lead organization, we coordinate efforts across sectors to ensure aligned, lasting change—moving beyond isolated solutions to real collaboration.