FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOPE First Rochester Launches First Peer-Led Mental Health Crisis Response Program in New York State 

Free, community-based alternative to police response now available in 14611, 14619, and 14608 zip codes

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — HOPE (Healing, Outreach, & Peer Engagement) First Rochester officially launched today near the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Samuel McCree Way—the same intersection where Daniel Prude, a Black man experiencing a mental health crisis, died at the hands of Rochester police in March 2020. His death sparked a citywide call for compassionate, community-based alternatives to emergency mental health crisis response. Today, that call was answered.

Informed by Daniel’s Law and the New York State Daniel’s Law Taskforce Report, HOPE First Rochester is a free, peer-led crisis response program now serving residents in the 14611, 14619, and 14608 zip codes. Teams are staffed by peers (people with lived experience), trained to respond and de-escalate various crises without police, and respond to calls prioritizing dignity, autonomy, connection, and care. The program is funded by the NY State Legislature and private grants.

Neighbors can reach the program by calling 585-837-HOPE (4673). Responders are available daily from 3–11 PM, including holidays.

“What we are launching today is a continuation of years of organizing, advocacy, and grief by people who refused to accept that a call for help should end in tragedy.” said Dr. Halima Aweis, Director of HOPE First Roc. “When someone is in crisis, they need a human response–someone who has been there, someone who understands, someone who will meet them with dignity, not force. That is what this community has always deserved, and this is what HOPE First Rochester will deliver.” 

“As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I recognize there is a dire need to address our mental health crisis in New York State. With an $8 million investment in Daniel’s Law in this year’s state budget, we will fund more programs in rural, urban, and suburban areas to inform our statewide crisis response,” said Senator Samra Brouk. Here in Rochester, we celebrated Hope First Roc–a peer-led, community-based crisis response program designed to treat individuals in a mental health or substance use crisis with dignity and support. By continuing to fight to reimagine our crisis response system, we honor the life of Daniel Prude and others who deserved to feel safe and cared for in their time of need.”

“As we continue to work towards passing a full implementation of Daniel's Law, collaborative partners who are providing peer-led, community-based crisis response are critical to filling the gaps. With funding secured in the New York State budget for Daniel's Law Pilot Programs in areas throughout the state, including Rochester, we are moving one step closer to reaching our goal of a state-wide crisis response model that prioritizes compassion and care over force and control," said Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson. "Hope First Roc is helping Rochester lead the way with a community-focused model in the neighborhood where Daniel Prude was robbed of that same opportunity to receive compassionate care. This is how we do justice in his name and how we permanently change mental health practices that cause harm and trauma."

“HOPE First Rochester is a reminder of what happens when our community comes together to imagine and create new systems grounded in care and compassion. Since Daniel Prude’s killing in 2020, our community has been committed to creating alternative systems of care. As a program developed and led by people with lived mental health experience, HOPE First Roc was created with a lot of care, and intentionality, with the primary goal of ensuring that our neighbors live beyond their moment of crisis,” said City Councilmember Stanley Martin and HOPE First Community Advisory Board member. 

“HOPE First Roc launched in the Southwest quadrant of Rochester to honor the memory of Daniel Prude, but also to harness the power of the community here”, said Mallory Szymanski, 19th Ward resident and HOPE First Community Advisory Board member. “The Genesee-Jefferson and 19th Ward neighborhoods have long histories of banding together to take care of one another. HOPE First continues that tradition by offering compassionate care by us for us.”

"The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is thrilled to see the launch of HOPE First Rochester and this important investment in a health-led approach to crisis response," said Luke Sikinyi, Vice President of Public Policy at the Alliance for Rights and Recovery. "By pairing peer support with compassionate, community-based services, HOPE First ensures that people experiencing mental health or substance use crises are met by the right responders at the right time. This program represents the vision of Daniel's Law in action and is another major step toward building a statewide crisis response system that leads with compassion, dignity, and recovery rather than law enforcement whenever possible."

HOPE First Rochester responds to a range of needs, including mental and behavioral health crises, substance use, wellness checks, youth crises, elder concerns, and mutual aid. Services are free and available to all residents within the program's service area.

About HOPE First Rochester: HOPE First Rochester is a community-based, peer-led mental health crisis response program serving Rochester's west side. Founded on the belief that mental health crises deserve a compassionate, person-centered response, HOPE First connects neighbors in crisis with trained peers—not police—so healing can begin with dignity. For more information or to request services, call 585-837-HOPE or visit hopefirstroc.org.

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