Rochester Speaks

Wreaths Across America and the Webster Chamber of Commerce on How Rochester Honors Its Fallen Veterans

On Memorial Day weekend, Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and Cheri Wood, local coordinator for Wreaths Across America in Webster, join the show to talk about honoring those who served, what that looks like in our community and how you can be part of it. Cheri shares the heart behind Wreaths Across America, what the December 19th wreath laying ceremony at Webster Union Cemetery means to Gold Star families and veterans alike, and how the Webster Garlic Festival on September 12th and 13th helps make it all possible. Barry explains why Wreaths Across America was named the Webster Chamber's May Business of the Month and what that recognition means in a community built around connection and service. Cheri also offers a simple but powerful suggestion for how anyone can honor a veteran this Memorial Day weekend, one that goes beyond a simple thank you. Sponsor a wreath, share a veteran story or learn more at websterwreaths.com [http://websterwreaths.com]. Find Garlic Festival details at webstergarlicfest.com [http://webstergarlicfest.com] and explore Webster Chamber membership at websterchamber.com [http://websterchamber.com].

SPCC Rochester on What It Actually Takes to Break the Cycle of Generational Poverty and Trauma

Laurie Valentine, CEO of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children, returns for part two of our conversation about SPCC's work in Rochester, this time focusing on what drives the mission forward, how the community can get involved and what the next chapter looks like for the country's oldest nonprofit agency. Laurie shares what she believes is the true catalyst for change in the families SPCC serves, a caring adult who believes in the potential of both the child and the parent, and explains why nurturing parents so they can nurture their children is at the heart of nearly every program the organization runs. She also shares the story of a young mom who at 22, after years of hardship, finished school, landed a full time job and is buying her first home. Many of SPCC's programs currently have long waiting lists, and donations play a critical role in filling the gaps that grant funding cannot cover, from back to school supplies and beds to security deposits for mothers leaving abusive situations and pots and pans for young parents starting their first home. Monthly giving, legacy gifts, one time donations and event sponsorships are all ways the community can help. The 39th Children's Classic Golf Tournament takes place June 29th at Irondequoit Country Club. Foursomes, sponsorships and auction prize donations are all still available. Register for the golf tournament at spccgolf2026.org [http://spccgolf2026.org], make a donation or learn more at spcc-roch.org [http://spcc-roch.org], or reach the team directly at giving@spcc-roch.org [giving@spcc-roch.org].

Rochester's Oldest Nonprofit Is 150 Years Old. Here's Why It Matters More Than Ever.

Laurie Valentine, CEO of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children, joins the show to share the remarkable 150 year history of one of Rochester's most important nonprofits and to walk through the eight programs SPCC currently runs to support children and families across our region. Discover how SPCC was founded in 1875 following the case of a young girl named Mary Ellen, whose story sparked a national movement and led to the creation of the country's first and then second Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with Rochester's chapter becoming the second in the nation. Learn how the organization evolved through the Great Depression, World War II and the opioid crisis, how Carl Rogers began his career at SPCC in the early 1900s and how Rochester helped develop the nation's first family court system. Laurie walks through all eight of SPCC's current programs including Family Trauma Intervention, Healthy Families Monroe, Teenage Parent Support Services, adolescent pregnancy prevention, therapeutic and supervised visitation and the WIC program serving 5,000 women, infants and children every month across five counties. She also shares the context behind the work, including Rochester's ranking among the top 10 poorest cities in the country, domestic violence rates 2.5 times higher than the rest of New York State and approximately 200 babies born to mothers 19 and younger each year, twice the national average. SPCC is now planning for its next 150 years with a vision where hope is not a privilege and every child's future is determined by potential rather than circumstance. Learn more and get involved at spcc-roch.org [http://spcc-roch.org].

Billboard Art ROCs Is Bringing Color, Joy and Student Art to Rochester's Most Visible Spaces

Joan Margaret, artist, art teacher at the Memorial Art Gallery and founder of Billboard Art ROCs, joins the show to talk about what happens when you combine a love of color, a commitment to community and a drive down a gray stretch of 490 after COVID. Discover how Billboard Art ROCs got its start when Joan noticed how dismal the messaging around her felt on her daily commute and decided to do something about it, eventually placing her vibrant floral paintings on digital billboards around Rochester and receiving emails from strangers whose days were turned around by what they saw. Learn about her ongoing Have a Heart Hidden Heart Daily Painting Challenge for Charity, a project where hidden hearts are embedded in every painting and proceeds go to local organizations including the Center for Youth and Mount Hope Family Center. The initiative has grown to include students from the Memorial Art Gallery winter camp, Rochester City schools and charter schools, with the goal of getting community created artwork up on billboards in the neighborhoods where those students actually live. Joan also shares how the vinyl from completed billboard installations is being recycled into billboard art bags by a local artisan, keeping the materials out of landfills and generating revenue to fund more programming. Joan also teaches creative workshops for all ages at the Memorial Art Gallery, from five year olds to an 84 year old current student, with scholarships available for those with financial need. All class listings are available through the Memorial Art Gallery website under creative workshops. To learn more about Billboard Art ROCs, get involved or inquire about sponsorship visit joanmargaret.com [http://joanmargaret.com] or email info@joanmargaret.com [info@joanmargaret.com].

Free Summer Concerts, a Classic Car Show and Resort Style Living. The Highlands at Pittsford Is Inviting Rochester In.

Maria Sommerville, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, and Bethany Creager, Sales and Marketing Assistant, join the show to share what life looks like at the Highlands at Pittsford [https://www.highlandsatpittsford.org/], an affiliate of the University of Rochester set on 52 beautiful acres just outside the village with a short walk to the Erie Canal. Discover how the Highlands serves residents from age 62 to 104 across cottage homes, independent living apartments, assisted living and a brand new memory care wing, offering a true continuum of care so residents can age in place without uprooting their lives. With over 300 activities available every month, an indoor pool, a personal trainer, University of Rochester professor lectures and regular Eastman School performances, the community feels less like a facility and more like resort style living centered on the whole person. The Highlands has a full summer of free community events open to everyone. The Summer Gazebo Concert Series runs every Thursday in July except July 2nd from 6:30 to 7:30pm, featuring the RPO Brass Quintet on July 9th, Indigo Breeze on July 16th, Elton John tribute Croc Rock on July 23rd and Uptown Groove with Mo Dancing on July 30th. The beloved annual Classic Car Show returns August 6th from 6 to 7:30pm with over 50 vehicles expected, music by Beck and the Bobcats and free food for all. Classic car owners interested in displaying their vehicles are encouraged to reach out. The Highlands Holiday Market is also coming November 19th from 10am to 2pm with local vendors and free admission. Wait list spots for cottage homes and apartments are available now and the team encourages families to get on early given growing demand. Call 585.641.6380 or visit thehighlandsatpittsford.org [http://thehighlandsatpittsford.org] to schedule a tour or learn more.