According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homelessness is a public health issue. Central Library, like many public libraries, serves as a daytime shelter for Rochester’s homeless population.
In response, Central created the Library Resource Outreach Center (LROC) and Health Central (HC). The program has no eligibility standards, and no appointments are necessary for users to receive services.
LROC is a collaboration between the library and local human service agencies to assist the homeless, those in danger of becoming homeless, and those in need of human service resources, including housing, food, clothing, shelter, income, case management, legal assistance and/or employment.
HC provides screenings, referrals to clinics, vaccines and dental care.
Both strive to eliminate or lessen barriers to these services for our community’s most vulnerable populations.
Looking to serve their homeless population, an upstate New York library creates a one-stop-shop of social and medical services.