A look at four Rochester-area nonprofits

We are beginning a new feature this week. From time to time, we are going to provide snapshots of area nonprofit organizations. Let's begin with these four.

Snapshot -- Public Interest Law Office of Rochester, 80 St. Paul St.

Our Photo flash captures the Public Interest Law Office of Rochester (PILOR) providing free legal services to Monroe County's poorest citizens. PILOR works to enhance the economic conditions and protect the civil rights of the low- income community of greater Rochester.

PILOR offers a full range of traditional legal support in the areas of litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, public money and community education and training. PILOR's clients receive representation from trained and qualified individuals with a shared mission to improve the lives of the poor, ensuring that clients have equal access to the justice system.

PILOR has handled more than 4,000 cases, positively affecting more than 100,000 people in Rochester's low-income community. Call 454-4060 for more information.

Snapshot -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rochester, 971 South Clinton Ave.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester is the area's premier one- tone youth mentoring agency, serving area children since 1978. The children, ages 6 to 16, come from predominantly single-parent families and are in need of an adult role model.

The Rochester organization was one of the first affiliates in the nation to institute an outcome-based assessment tool to track developmental assets of children served.

These reports have tended to show that children matched with Big Brothers and Big Sisters exhibit an increase in school performance, as well as an increase in self confidence and are less likely to become early parents. Call 442- 2250 for more information.

Snapshot -- Rochester Civic Garden Center, 5 Castle Park.

The Rochester Civic Garden Center preserves and nourishes our local horticultural heritage.

This year marks the Garden Center's 57th year of service. Its goal remains, "to improve the quality of life in the Genesee region by fostering knowledge, providing information and promoting all aspects of gardening and horticulture." Warner Castle and grounds, including the Sunken Garden and the Castle Gift Shop, are open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Call 473-5130 for more information.

Snapshot -- Pathway Houses of Rochester, New York, 55 Troup St.

Pathway Houses of Rochester, New York Inc., serves recovering alcohol and substance abusers, primarily in the Monroe County area.

The organization teaches living skills which enable individuals to take responsibility for their lives while furthering recovery through required participation in full-time education or employment and ongoing substance-abuse counseling. It operates several homes serving men and women over 18 years old. One aim of Pathway Houses is to provide a transition from a halfway house or other structured treatment to independent living.

Call 232-4674 for more information.

If you have a candidate for "Going The Extra Mile," please contact Scott Perkins at 394-3343. His e-mail is sperkins@frontiernet.net. Perkins is CEO of Agility Advertising Agency, 80 North Union St., Rochester, NY 14607.

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