From the Community

Rochester, NY — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, leading to about a 35% drawdown of blood products in the past month. Individuals are urged to give now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O, A negative and B negative blood. High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild t

Rochester, NY - The temporary Maplewood Community Library, 414 Lexington Ave., is closed to the public as staff prepare for its relocation to the newly renovated and expanded facility at 1111 Dewey Ave. The library branch will reopen to patrons and resume operations in March.   Due dates for items on loan from the Maplewood Community Library have been extended to April 30. During the closure, patrons can return library items to any library in Monroe County, including the nine

Fairy Godmothers of Rochester is hosting a dress drive for gently used prom dresses to be donated. Rochester, NY  --- Fairy Godmothers of Rochester is asking community members to drop off their gently used prom dresses and prom attire for donation. When:  Saturday, January 24th, 2026  10 am-12 pm Where:  Marketplace Mall at THE OLD DICKS SPORTING GOODS 30 West Henrietta Drive  Rochester, NY 14623 Fairy Godmothers of Rochester promotes self-confidence and individual beauty by

Monroe Community Hospital Job Fair. 435 East Henrietta Road. Rochester, NY Rochester, N.Y. — Monroe Community Hospital (MCH) will host its monthly job fair Thursday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., inviting job seekers to explore a wide range of clinical, administrative, and support service careers at the county-run health care facility. The event will feature opportunities in nursing, therapy, respiratory care, clinical coordination, quality assurance, human re

Who: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and conductor Herb Smith perform with student musicians from the School of the Arts Concert Choir and School No. 19’s Strings for Success Program   What: “I Have a Dream” – A special concert in the RPO’s OrKIDStra series celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day   When: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 1–2 p.m., family activitiesSunday, January 18, 2026, 2–3 p.m., concert   Where: Hochstein School of Music50 North Plymouth AvenueRochester, N

Rochester, NY - Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has opened the application portal for its 2026 Health Equity Innovation Awards, inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for funding that supports innovative, community-based solutions to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations within Excellus BCBS’s service area can apply online at ExcellusBCBS.com . The application period runs from Wednesday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m. through Frida

Featuring Isabel Randall, soprano and poet, and Ines Draskovic, piano Date: February 15, 2026 Time: 3:00 PM Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Details: A program of art song, musical theater, opera, and original poetry, exploring Isabel Randall’s journey from her birth in Spain to Broadway to now as a poet and opera singer. Advance Tickets: General Admission $30, Senior Student $25 At the Door: $35 - Don't wait, purchase your tickets today and save!

The City of Rochester is planning to open three R-Centers 1/15/26 for special hours in response to the forecasted winter snowstorm and the closing of Rochester City Schools.   The following R-Centers will open from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, and will offer young people lunch, dinner and healthy activities:   David F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North St.   Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.   Adams Street R-Center, 85 Adams St.   All other R-Centers will be closed on Thurs

Who: Students in the ROC City Players   What: Production of CATS, Young Actors Edition   When: Friday, January 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, January 17, 2026, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.   Where: Padilla High School at the Franklin Campus950 Norton StreetRochester, NY 14621   Details: Students from across the District will take center stage in a production of CATS, Young Actors Edition, the latest performance from ROC City Players. Rehearsals began in October 2025. Founded in 201

WHAT : In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) educator will join this year’s Pittsford CommUNITY Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Series, featuring two of the MMOT’s signature workshop films, Civil Rights Movement and Witness to History. Community members will also participate in a live panel discussion with local community representatives, including Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, at the United Church of Pittsford. Mayor of

DATE & TIME: Monday January 19, 2026 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm LOCATION: Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music | 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: Simeon Banister | MLK Commission President | President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation FOR MORE INFORMATION: Nikia Washington | nwashington@racf.org or 585.341.4376 | MLK Commission Coordinator | Equity Program Officer, Rochester Area Community Foundation DETAILS: The Greater Rochester Martin Luther K

Rochester, NY - As he kicks off his second term as mayor, Mayor Malik D. Evans invites youth ages 13 to 19 to ask questions and share their priorities for Rochester at a Youth Forum to be held Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at the Theatre at Innovation Square, 131 Chestnut St.   Moderated by Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Vice President West Cuyler, a panel discussion will give teens the opportunity to engage with community leaders including Mayor Evans, Commissioner of the Ci

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADAM BELLO INVITES THE COMMUNITY ROCHESTER, NY — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello invites residents to this year’s annual Winterfest, this Saturday, January 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This popular family event is filled with free activities for people of all ages throughout the park, including wagon rides from Heberle Stables, a visit from the Rochester Red Wings’ mascots Spikes and Mittsy, and new this year, an interactive musical performance with Mister Gr

Rochester, NY - Mayor Malik D. Evans, alongside partners from ESL Federal Credit Union and Rochester Area Community Foundation, today announced that applications are open for the second round of Neighbors In Action (NIA) grant funding.   To fund the grants, the City of Rochester is again partnering with ESL Federal Credit Union and Rochester Area Community Foundation, with each organization contributing $100,000 to support the initiative. Together, the partners will make $300

ROCHESTER, NY — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today announced the launch of the Virtual Senior Center (VSC), a free program offering live, interactive social, health, and educational programming for adults age 60 and older. The program is provided through the Monroe County Office for the Aging (OFA) in partnership with the New York State Office for the Aging and powered by enliveo. The Virtual Senior Center is a free membership program that allows older adults to partici

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Regional Health  has been recognized among   America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging and Community 2026 , an honor awarded by Newsweek  in collaboration with Plant-A Insights Group. This national recognition highlights organizations that foster inclusive, supportive workplace cultures where employees feel valued, connected, and engaged. The designation is based on one of the largest independent workplace studies in the country, drawing

Rochester, NY — Action for a Better Community, Inc. (ABC) will host its 2026 Signature Awards Breakfast on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Memorial Art Gallery, honoring outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership, advocacy, and service are strengthening the Greater Rochester community. The Signature Awards Breakfast recognizes individuals and institutions whose work advances equity, reduces poverty, and creates lasting opportunity for individuals and famili

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026            Re:  Electrical Examining Board         Time:  1:45 p.m.           Location:  Rochester City Hall, Room 223-B          Address:  30 Church St.           For more information, visit:  www.cityofrochester.gov/ElectricalExaminingBoard/           Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026       Re:  Traffic Control Board           Time:  9:15 a.m.           Location:  Rochester City Hall, Rm. 321-B           Address:   30 Church St.           For more information,

Rochester, NY - Employment applications are now being accepted for summer recreation and aquatics positions across the City of Rochester’s R-Centers, camps, pools and beaches. Opportunities are available for a variety of ages and experience levels, from entry-level positions for applicants aged 15 and older, to supervisory positions for more experienced applicants. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews beginning in March, for jobs starting in June 2026.   For

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — January 8, 2026 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) will hold Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) awareness and educational outreach events in Rochester throughout the month of January, starting Friday, January 9. HEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible households cover energy costs. Please note, these are informational events and not part of the application process. They’re designed to help customers find resources available to help manage