Welcome to the Rotary Club of Rochester Northwest

Chartered 2009

Are you someone who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Are you in a profession, or a business, someone working with a non-profit, or simply someone who cares about other people. Rochester Northwest Rotary Club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Rotary International Theme for 2023-2024

A Merssage from Gordon McIllany, RI President

Rotary Club of Rochester Northwest - The Year in Review

Social gathering for our annual Change Over.

Raising money for our Service projects.

Building our second shelter for Peace Village

Rotary Cares About Young People

The Rotary Club of Rochester Northwest has been the sponsor and actively involved in the Interact Club at Rochester International Academy. All Interactors are refugee students who have been in the country for 2 years or less. Rochester Northwest Rotary has provided Glossaries in 39 different languages (which can be used in Regents exams) several different years.

We actively work with them on their gardening skills. Each year they grow 5,000 to 6,000 vegetable plants from seed; these plants are provided to the Lexington Garden (for refugee families), a project of Foodlink. In the same time they raise sunflowers from seed, sell them at the Rochester Public Garden during 'Flower Sundays', raising about $2,000 each year which they send to International Aid Agencies they select each year.

In addition, our Club has sponsored two out-going Rotary Exchange Students, both for a year. One to Germany and one to Japan.

The Importance of Literacy in Rotary

For years the Rotary Club of Rochester Northwest was focused on Literacy for the Northwest Community with annual fund raisers supporting projects of the Rochester - Monroe County Public Library, Tablets with language programs for refugees, and Little Libraries in several locations in Northwest Rochester.

Always popular was 'Books on the Bricks' Saturdays during the summer at the Rochester Public Market - thousands of books flew out of there!

A brief history of Rotary in Northwest Rochester

Initial renovation of 393 Lexington Ave for the new home of Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services Inc. Included help from the Rochester Deaf Rotary Club, Rochester Construction Training Center, and Americorp.

During the pandemic supported the refugee community in making protective masks. Over 5,000 masks were distributed - thru other Rotary Clubs and the United Way. Clear view masks (to read lips) were distributed thru the Deaf Rotary Club of Rochester.

During the pandemic we worked with Charles Settlement House to re-establish multiple raised beds for planting of vegetables they could distribute to their clientele in Northwest Rochester.