What does it mean to be “mission driven”? Organizations of all kinds seem to be probing this question in order to remain true to their core purpose.

The mission statement of the Center calls us to provide quality services in a comprehensive manner which will enhance the community. The mission is rooted in the commitment of the Sisters of St. Joseph to unite neighbor-with-neighbor, and neighbor-with-God, and to serve all people without regard to race, religion, or any other discriminating status.

As you know, we have multiple services available at the Center and the staff and volunteers work very hard to maintain quality, increase communications, educate and serve our patients and clients well. These are essential parts of our mission, but perhaps not the most crucial.

There are three things above all that are important to our being “mission driven.” We strive everyday to make sure that everyone that enters the Center feels welcome, cared for and safe. We want to nurture partnerships with our patients and clients in terms of their health care. We know this nurtures good outcomes. Partnership requires a trusting relationship and that is the crux of our mission — being in a relationship of trust, respect and mutuality.

Several months ago we ran a customer survey asking our patients and clients what they valued most in their doctor relationship. Overwhelmingly they said that the most important thing by far was to be listened to, to experience that their provider was really hearing them and taking them seriously. What a gift.

The only way that trusting, respectful, and mutual relationships are formed is through community. The community of the Neighborhood Center is multi-faceted, far-flung and grounded in the concept of linking neighbor-with-neighbor. You are a crucial part of this community as volunteer, donor, advocate, patient, community partner… all the parts that allow the Center’s work to be done.

Thank you for being a part of this great work. You are helping us survive the grinding economics of this historic time, and we need your continued help. The economy has greatly increased our patient/client volume, 30% overall last year, and with this increase comes added costs of patient care.

Thank you for your generosity in so many ways. We also have had a unique opportunity presented to us and I ask your help in taking advantage of this donor generosity. Two donors have together pledged to match donations to our Building Fund with a one-to-one challenge match up to $100,000. If we can raise this additional money, we will have fulfilled our Building Campaign goal. Please consider this giving option and double the value of your gift. God bless you and remember you are in our prayers.

Join us for our Annual Fall Breakfast at the Baptist Temple at 1101 Clover Street in Rochester on Saturday, October 16th 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Full breakfast includes: 2 eggs cooked your way, home fries, sausage or bacon, toast, juice and an endless cup of coffee.  Suggested donation $5.00 or more per person.  Service is generously provided by the Women’s Club of Pittsford.  Pre-registration recommended by mail or by contacting Katherine McCormick at 585-325-5260 or kmccormick@sjncenter.org Walk-ins are welcome.

Download the Fall 2010 Breakfast flyer and post it or hand it out to whomever may be interested.

Please join us for a fundraiser to benefit St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center being sponsored by the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #2290 and Women of the Moose Chapter#1998 to be held at Henrietta Moose Family Center 5375 West Henrietta Road on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Music featuring The Good Rats, Deborah Magone, and Evil Twin, plus food, door prizes, raffles, 50/50 drawing, and bake sale. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 325-5260 or email kmccormick@sjncenter.org for details.

Download the Moose Club Fundraiser flyer, and pass it out to all your friends.