Our mission

The mission of East House is to empower individuals with mental health and substance use disorders to recover and to lead healthy, fulfilling lives in their community.

What we do

East House is a nonprofit organization in Rochester, NY whose mission is to empower individuals with mental health and substance use disorders to lead fulfilling lives. Founded in 1966, East House began with the innovative premise that people would best recover from mental illness living with supports in the community rather than in institutions.

Fifty-four years later the agency remains committed to this mission, using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Eight Dimensions of Wellness. These principles endorse the belief that mental illness and addiction influence every aspect of a person's life and must be approached holistically to advance true recovery: environmentally, intellectually, occupationally, emotionally, socially, physically, financially and spiritually.

Our Recovery Support Services (RSS) programs are at the core of East House. Helping people bring their lives into balance, these services consist of housing, counseling, job coaching, adult basic education, case management, skills training, respite care and family outreach.

In 1966, RSS referred to one mental health group home, 12 clients and daily counseling. Today it is the story of 1,600 people each year moving their lives forward through a series of complimentary efforts and support systems.