Storybook Project is Now Welcoming Volunteers – We’re Up and Running and we need you!
After our long pause caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, we’re now up and running – and in need of new volunteers. We will be working in the Monroe County Jail, located in downtown Rochester NY. We will be operating each Monday morning from 9am to 11am. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and will be required to wear masks during their visit to the jail. Typically, volunteers visit our project once each month. Those interested in volunteering with us should contact our coordinator, Britt Hopkin at (585) 309-6345 or on email at Rochesterstorybookproject@gmail.com for further information and application forms.
Come Join Us!
Volunteers participating in the Rochester Storybook Project at the Monroe County Jail (MCJ) need to go through the clearance process for entrance into this facility. This involves attending a 45 minute orientation class which is offered twice each month at MCJ , and fill out a personal information form, submit a photo copy of your driver’s license, and agree to a background check. Volunteers must also be at least 18 years of age, and free of any felony convictions for the previous 4 years. For information about the orientation classes, and obtaining the personal information form, contact the Rochester Storybook Project using our e-mail address at RochesterStorybookProject@gmail.com.
The Monroe County Jail is located at 130 Plymouth Avenue, South, in downtown Rochester. The entrance for Orientation Classes and for our volunteers is located just off of Plymouth Avenue (a single door labeled “JAIL” on the right side of the outdoor stairs leading to the Plaza Level and the Public Safety Building Complex (the door is at the street level, do not go up the stairs). Do not park in the Civic Center Garage as the signs inside the garage will direct you to Inmate Visitation Locations, not to the volunteer entrance.
Parking for Volunteers: Once volunteers are cleared to work inside the Monroe County Jail, they can park their cars for free right next to the front entrance of the Monroe County Jail. This avoids having to pay for “on-street” parking. Volunteers get off the 490 expressway heading West right after crossing the Genesee River. Take the first exit (Broad Street Exit), and immediately after the exit, turn right onto Spring Street. Then get into the left lane, and cross Plymouth Avenue (at the traffic light), and go straight into the parking lot. Choose any spot to your right after entering (left hand spots are reserved for the Crime Lab and attorneys). Then immediately go into the Jail Entrance, and request a tag for your dashboard. Display the tag in your front window. When leaving, return the tag to the Jail staff.