Marys Place Refugee Outreach

Marys Place is a non-profit refugee outreach center in Northwest Rochester, NY. Our mission is to reach out in love, hope, and service to refugees of all faiths and nationalities, particularly those in the Maplewood/Edgerton neighborhood. Marys Place was founded in 2009 as an enrichment center for refugees to find independence and gain citizenship. When the Outreach Committee of the Cathedral Community saw refugees walking around the Maplewood and Edgerton neighborhoods with flip-flops on and no coats in the winter, they decided to start a simple coat distribution. As a lighthouse project of the Cathedral Community, Marys Place found its first home in the rectory of the former Holy Rosary church, using only the first two rooms of the building. As the co-founders became increasingly aware of the needs of the refugee community, they expanded their programs to ESOL classes, workforce development, a childrens summer camp, case management, and food and clothing distribution. Since 2009,...