County Executive Adam Bello announces launch of Steps to Success Rochester program

Rochester, New York – Monroe County is rolling out a new anti-poverty and economic mobility initiative aimed at helping families build long-term financial stability, expand access to services, and move toward stronger futures through personalized support and structured guidance.

County Executive Adam Bello announced the launch of Steps to Success Rochester, a program designed to assist households in increasing income and improving overall stability through targeted, individualized planning. Officials say the initiative is not a short-term aid effort, but a structured pathway focused on long-term progress across multiple areas of daily life.

The county is actively seeking to enroll 700 households, and recruitment efforts are now underway across eligible communities in Rochester. The program is part of a broader push to strengthen upward mobility by working directly with families who face multiple barriers at the same time, including income limits, employment challenges, and access to services.

At its core, Steps to Success Rochester is built around five key areas of focus: family stability, well-being, financial management, education and training, and employment and career advancement. Officials say these pillars are designed to address the interconnected challenges that often prevent families from making sustained progress.

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Eligibility is limited to families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, with household incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. Applicants must have at least one child under 18 living in the home and reside in one of four Rochester zip codes: 14605, 14608, 14611, or 14621.

County Executive Bello emphasized that the program is centered on giving families structured support rather than one-time assistance.

“Steps to Success is about giving families the tools, support, and guidance they need to build a stronger future,” said County Executive Bello. “By connecting residents to real opportunities and personalized support, we are helping more people move toward financial stability and long-term success.”

City leaders also highlighted the importance of collaboration between local government and community organizations. Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans pointed to the broader network of services that will be integrated into the program, including housing assistance, workforce training, financial coaching, and health-related services.

“By connecting families to critical resources like housing support, workforce training, financial coaching, and health services, the Steps to Success Rochester initiative empowers residents to build stability and achieve long-term economic success,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “I’m grateful for our partnership with Monroe County and local community organizations as we work together to expand opportunity and create a more equitable and prosperous Rochester for all.”

The program will be operated through three community-based organizations located across the city: Urban League of Rochester, Action for a Better Community, and Catholic Charities Family and Community Services. Each organization will play a role in delivering services and guiding participants through the process.

Community leaders say the initiative represents a shift toward a more coordinated approach to poverty reduction. Rather than relying on separate programs that address individual needs in isolation, Steps to Success Rochester uses a model that combines services and focuses on long-term mobility outcomes.

“The Steps to Success Rochester program is an important investment that will help families take meaningful steps toward upward mobility,” said Aqua Y. Porter, executive director of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative. “This is exactly the kind of coordinated, community-based approach that will have a long-term impact in Rochester. The Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) model is an evidence-based approach that has shown success by addressing barriers to upward mobility together and focusing on longterm economic mobility rather than short-term fixes. We must support programs that recognize the true challenges of living in poverty—that not one single program alone can lift a family out of poverty—and that we need a sustained, cooperative approach that brings together multiple systems to address real needs. By connecting residents to housing, workforce opportunities, and financial coaching, this initiative will create real pathways to upward mobility.”

Technology and digital access will also play a role in the program. TogetherNow, a partner organization, will support the initiative by helping streamline access to services and improving coordination between providers.

“TogetherNow is proud to partner with Monroe County on Steps to Success and to support a more connected, person-centered approach to financial mentoring and economic mobility,” said Laura Gustin, President & CEO TogetherNow. “Through MyWayfinder, we are helping create a digital access point that makes it easier for community members to learn about the program, complete screening, and strengthen coordination across providers and systems. We are excited to support this work and the County’s vision for making services easier to access and more responsive to the needs of residents.”

Local organizations involved in implementation say the program aligns closely with their long-standing missions. The Urban League of Rochester emphasized its decades of community work and its role in supporting families through structured guidance and empowerment.

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“We are honored to be part of this county initiative alongside our community partners,” said Tiffany Owens, Interim CEO of Urban League of Rochester. “Providing the resources, guidance, and coordinated support needed to advance upward mobility for the families we serve aligns closely with the longstanding mission of the Urban League of Rochester. For over six decades, we have been committed to empowering individuals and strengthening our community, and Steps to Success represents a meaningful extension of that work.”

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services also highlighted the urgency of addressing poverty in Rochester while expanding opportunities for long-term stability.

“Poverty is a reality for far too many families in the City of Rochester,” said Lori VanAuken, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Family and Community Services. “Building on our legacy of service, we stand ready to work with these families by providing consistent guidance, support and real-world opportunities to build long-term stability. Together with our partners in Steps to Success Rochester, we are dedicated to building a community where every person can flourish.”

Action for a Better Community echoed similar goals, focusing on individualized planning and sustained coaching to help families reach measurable progress over time.

“Steps to Success is a powerful investment in families and the future of our community,” said Mubarak Bashir, VP for Youth and Community Services. “At Action for a Better Community, we know that with the right support, coaching, financial guidance, and individualized planning, families can achieve lasting economic mobility. We are proud to partner with Monroe County Department of Human Services and community organizations to help residents build stronger, more stable futures.”

Participants in the program will receive a full assessment and be paired with a personalized mobility plan. That plan may include connections to health care providers, mental health services, housing support, financial coaching, education and workforce training, childcare assistance, transportation help, and employment or entrepreneurship guidance. Financial incentives will also be provided as participants reach milestones in their progress plans.

Residents interested in enrolling can learn more or apply by visiting https://www.monroecounty.gov/hs-steps-success or by calling 211.

Steps to Success Rochester is the second program under the Project Prosper initiatives, which are funded by $25 million in one-time support from the New York State Office of Temporary Assistance and administered through the Department of Social Services in partnership with the City of Rochester.