St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center Inc. - SJNC

04/30/2026

Thank you to our Silver Sponsors for our 32nd Annual Tasting and Auction. Support of this - our only fundraising event of the year - provides critical funding for our patient-centered care.

If you are interested in sponsoring our Annual Event, more details are available at www.sjncenter.org/annual-event.

04/29/2026

Thank you to the McQuaid Jesuit faculty who joined us last Friday to help beautify our outdoor and indoor spaces!

If you are interested in volunteering at SJNC, either as a group or individually, visit our volunteer page (www.sjncenter.org/volunteer) or contact April Hill at ahill@sjncenter.org.

04/29/2026

Thank you to our friends who joined us for Table Talk and Tastings last week! It is a privilege to share the passion behind the work we do and how we can collaborate to create a healthier community for all.

We are looking forward to our next one on May 12th! Make sure to register: https://htru.io/SRTo 🙂

04/27/2026

Do you, or does someone you know, own a dessert business? We are seeking dessert donations for our 32nd Annual Tasting and Auction! Our only fundraiser of the year will feature over 450 guests, giving you the opportunity to showcase your delicious desserts. A little goes a long way for us, so email Yukali at yokkotsu@sjncenter.org!

FAQ:

Do I need to provide enough for all 450 guests? No, we want a variety of desserts, so you can donate however much you're willing to make.

Can you pick it up, or should I drop it off? We would really appreciate it if you could drop it off. We may be able to arrange for a volunteer to pick it up, depending on the timing and location, but there is no guarantee!

04/26/2026

Take today to pause and set intentions for the upcoming week. As we transition into May, think about how far you've come this year and where you want to see yourself go.

04/25/2026

Our SJNC staff recently enjoyed team building and a friendly competition at Nut House Escape Rooms! Both teams went head-to-head on who could escape their room the quickest. By using their problem-solving and communication skills, both teams were able to escape.

We're grateful for the roles each of our staff plays and encourage them to keep using their strengths in the service of the patients and clients we help every day.

04/24/2026

Thank you, Connected Communities: EMMA & Beechwood, for having us at Connect Hour, to share how we can be a resource to other organizations and residents of the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhood.

We are grateful to partner with other community organizations to brainstorm ways to collaborate. If you are interested in having SJNC share the work we do, please email development@sjncenter.org.

04/23/2026

It's Volunteer Appreciation Week! We are so grateful for our volunteers, who generously donate their time and talent to ensure that our patients and clients receive the care that everyone deserves. In 2025, we had over 450 volunteers join us in helping those we serve. Thank you!

Interested in volunteering at SJNC? Learn more at https://www.sjncenter.org/volunteer

04/22/2026

Join us for SJNC's 32nd Annual Tasting and Auction for the opportunity to bid on one of Jen's famous Pizza Parties!

Wednesday, June 3rd at 5:30 PM
Tickets: https://htru.io/SVNX

04/21/2026

St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center is preparing for our 32nd Annual Tasting and Auction on June 3, and we’re currently seeking volunteers to help bring the evening to life.

👀 Auction Spotters – keep the excitement high and ensure every bid is seen
📋 Auction Runners – support guests and help the event flow seamlessly

This is more than volunteering—it’s an opportunity to be part of an experience that supports access to compassionate healthcare in our community.

💛 Join us: Email April at AHill@sjncenter.org or visit www.sjncenter.org/volunteer.

04/19/2026

04/18/2026

Healing happens when we meet people where they are - linguistically, culturally, and emotionally.

One of our interns was paired with an elder client visiting Rochester from abroad to meet their newborn grandson. While here, they experienced a traumatic event that left them with flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance: classic symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. They didn't speak English and had never received counseling before. They believed that counseling is only for people who are very mentally ill.

But healing began with connection. The intern, recognizing cultural norms around age and respect, called them "Auntie" and conducted sessions in their native language. Through gentle, culturally informed care, including somatic techniques such as EFT tapping and tension-relaxation, Auntie began to feel safe again.

In one session, the intern explained that tapping helps reconnect the body and soul. "Ah, that makes sense," they said, "as babies are startled, adults tend to stroke their skulls to protect their souls."

By the third session, most of their symptoms had faded. They returned for the final session to say goodbye; grateful, grounded, and whole.

The intern shared that, "It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what made it work, but perhaps it was seeing them as a holistic being by honoring their culture and rebuilding the lost connection between the mind and body - and between bodies and lands.”

This is the heart of trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.