Get Help – Rochester NOW

“We do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.” — Mary Wollstonecraft

NOW works to bring women, as a group, into full equality and addresses problems at their root cause, instead of offering aid to individual women.

For individual help, contact one of the organizations below.

Battering, Rape, Sexual Violence Assistance

Domestic Violence Hotline (NYS): 800-942-6906

Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept. Victim Assistance Program
See website for phone numbers by zone.
Website.

RESTORE Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Services
Rochester: 585-546-2777
Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming Counties Hotline: 800-527-1757
24-hours a day Confidential
RESTORE is a service of Planned Parenthood of Central & Western NY. Website.

Rochester Police Dept. Victim Assistance Unit
585-428-6630
Individual counseling, assistance in filing for CVB compensation, transportation to court, accompaniment to court, property release, restitution assistance, referral, public awareness, explanation of criminal justice system. Website.

Safe Journey
585-425-1580
Serves women and children in transition from domestic violence, who need individual or group counseling, advocacy, or community referrals as they heal from abuse. Website.

Victim Resource Center of the Finger Lakes
Hotline: 800-456-1172
Website.

Willow Domestic Violence Center
585-222-7353
24 hours a day Confidential Hotline, shelter, counseling, support groups, children’s services, court advocacy, Latina services, dating violence education, transition program. Website.

Disabilities

Monroe County Women’s Disability Network
A directory for women with disabilities of resources in Rochester and at the national level created by a local retired schoolteacher. Website.

General

The Susan B. Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership
Part of the University of Rochester, the Center helps members of the UR community as well as political, business and professional leaders understand and overcome barriers to women’s leadership. Website.

Greater Rochester Area Branch AAUW
AAUW is an advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls. Website.

Ibero-American Action League
A dual-language human services agency that focuses on building stronger families and greater self-sufficiency through hands-on learning and experience. Website.

Islamic Center of Rochester
Website.

National Council of Jewish Women Greater Rochester Section
Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Website.

YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County
175 N. Clinton Ave. 585-546-5820
A place for women at a crisis or turning point to move beyond the challenges of unemployment, drug or alcohol addiction, homelessness and teenage motherhood. Website.

Health

Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
A group of breast cancer survivors along with their family and friends who work on education and advocacy concerns around breast cancer. Website.

Connect and Breathe
An after-abortion nonjudgmental talkline. Website.

Free Birth Control Options
Did you know that birth control is free in New York State? And there are a dozen more options than the pill. Go to Staytrue2u.org for more information.

PEP – Pro-Choice Public Education Project
Created for young women, this website lists pro-choice resources and ways to get involved. There are also discussion groups to join. Website.

Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York
866-600-6886
Full reproductive health services for women including emergency contraception pills and abortions. Many services are free – be sure to ask. Website.

Safe Abortion with Pills Is Possible
Go to this website planCpills.org to find out where you can get pills and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Trillium Health
585-545-7200
Provides HIV testing and prevention and women’s gynecological services. Website.

LGBTQ

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV)
585-244-8640
Offers a variety of support groups and services for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered. Publishes the monthly newspaper, Empty Closet. Website.

Legal

Empire Justice Center
A non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance to those in need and undertake impact litigation in order to protect and defend the rights of disenfranchised New Yorkers. Website.

Monroe County Legal Assistance Center
(also known as Legal Assistance of Western New York – Rochester Office)
Get information about your legal problem as well as find free legal services. Website.

Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County
585-232-3051
Help for low income clients in civil matters, including Family Court petitions and preparing divorce paperwork. Website.

Philanthropy

The Rochester Women’s Giving Circle
A community of philanthropic women who combine their financial strength to support area women and girls on their journey to economic independence. Website.

Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley
Maintains an endowment to help women and girls in the Rochester area. Website.

Political/Progressive

Action Together Network – Rochester
An outgrowth Pantsuit Nation, this group is a hub for progressive causes and political action in the Greater Rochester area. Website.

Black Lives Matter Roc
Website.

City Newspaper
Rochester’s alternative news weekly. Website.

Flying Squirrel Community Space
A welcoming space for artists, activists, and community members in Rochester. Website.

League of Women Voters
Check its website for more information.

Metro Justice
Involved with many progressive issues and a strong NOW supporter. Website.

Mothers Out Front
Mobilizing for a livable climate. Website.

NYCLU (New York Civil Liberties Union) Genesee Chapter
Dedicated to safeguarding the liberties and rights of the people they serve through advocacy and litigation; legislative action; and public education. Website.

Occupy Rochester
Facebook group.

Workers Justice Center of New York
Pursues justice for those denied human rights with a focus on agricultural and other low wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment and advocacy for institutional change. Website.

Students

Feminist Campus
Resources for student activists. See website.

RIT Center for Women & Gender
See website.

SUNY- Brockport Women’s Center
See website.

University of Rochester College Feminists
See Facebook page.

Women in Transition

Sojourner House
Shelter for women and families, providing a structure to live independently and the strength to improve lives. See website.