Performing community service can be an attractive alternative to other forms of punishment. There are two ways to get it done.
FIRST: COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATORS
Some counties have community service coordinators, and some judges insist that you use them. If so, you will receive information in court explaining who you have to contact.
SECOND: PRIVATELY COORDINATED COMMUNITY SERVICE
Many judges will allow you to perform your community service at any not-for-profit organization. You are responsible for setting up your hours, keeping track of your hours and activities, and then bringing a letter back to court – signed by a supervisor and printed on agency letterhead – stating how many hours you completed. It’s always a good idea to keep track of your service as you are performing it, otherwise, supervisors may forget what you did.
To do this, print out our Community Service Hours Tracking Form, and at the end of each shift have your supervisor initial it. When you have completed all the required hours, bring your sheet to your supervisor and have them write a letter stating what you did and how many hours you worked. They need to print that letter on agency letterhead, and then sign it.
WHERE CAN I PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE?
There are many agencies you can work with, but many nursing homes, animal shelters, and daycare centers are for-profit enterprises. Make certain the place you choose is a not-for-profit.
Here is an incomplete list of agencies you can contact to schedule your community service:
- Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques (but not the one you attend – no double dipping is allowed)
Monroe County
- ABC (Action for a Better Community) (585) 325-5116
- Angels of Mercy – Dress a Girl, 692 N. Winton Road, Rochester, NY 14609 (585) 730-4556
- Boys and Girls Club, 500 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY 14611 (585) 328-3077
- Foodlink, 1999 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14615 (585) 328-3380
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity / ReStore
- Honeoye Falls Volunteer Fire Department 7 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472 (585) 624-1100
- House of Mercy 285 Ormand Street, Rochester, NY 14605 (585) 546-2580
- Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY (585) 428-7999
- Red Cross The Greater Rochester Chapter serves Allegany, Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties.
- St. Ann’s Community 1500 Portland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14621
- St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, 402 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 Contact: Sheila (M, W, F 9am-1pm) (585) 232-3262
- Villa of Hope 3300 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY 14616 (585) 865-1550
- Sunset House (hospice in Irondequoit)
- United Way
- YMCA
- Willow Domestic Violence Center
Livingston County
- Livingston County Center for Nursing (585) 243-7222
- Red Cross The Greater Rochester Chapter serves Allegany, Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties.
- Teresa House (hospice in Geneseo)
- United Way
- YMCA
Wayne County
- Laurel House (hospice in Newark) 224 Fair Street, Newark, NY 14513
- Red Cross The Greater Rochester Chapter serves Allegany, Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties.
- United Way
- YMCA
Orleans County
- Main Street Thrift Store, 131 South Main Street, Albion, NY 14411 (585) 589-1430
- United Way
- YMCA
For Spanish Speakers:
Ibero-American Development Corp., 954 Clifford Avenue, Rochester, NY 14621 Contact James Barry (585) 467-6410 x26