Welcome

During the spring of 2015, DMC was holding its final hearings. At about the same time Major Jim Frye from the Salvation Army had spoken with the Rochester Area Interfaith Leaders about his concerns related to DMC and how the Salvation Army’s community service buildings were not on the DMC map. Such services are critical services and many issues were raised regarding accessibility and the impact on social services by DMC.

These concerns were brought back to the Justice and Peace Ministry Team of Congregational Church UCC. After discussion, the team decided to appear before the final DMC meeting asking for a social impact statement, and they made plans for what would be the first In the Shadow of Growth Forums on June 17, 2015. Presenters were individuals from the community services area. With approximately 120 concerned community members in attendance, it was felt that a second forum would be held to gauge from those community members to see what direction the group would be from there.

So, a community group had started. In the meantime, several downtown church leaders had been meeting about the same issues. The group was called In the City for Good. The steering committee for the Forums met and chose to take on that name. There are eight Action groups working with the issues of Living Wages, Transportation, Affordable Housing, Sustainability, Social Services, Education, Social Justice and Historic Preservation.