We exist to ensure every person in our community can obtain the basic needs of life with dignity and respect.  By providing healthy food and connections to available community resources, the Center 4 Hope moves people from crisis to thriving by giving help for today and hope for the future.

Our Board

  • Jane Shukitis | Board Chair

    Retired President and CEO of UR Medicine and Home Care

  • Tom Confer | Treasurer

    Retired Mortage Loan Officer

  • Todd Olsen | Secretary

    Retired US Air Force Officer - Worked 33 years in Marketing and Sales with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

  • Halie Cardon

    Digital Media Specialist at Hope Church - Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration

  • Tim Wortham, Jr.

    Senior Director of Institutional Advancement at the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication

  • Matt Hurlbutt

    President and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise

meet the staff

Chris Folwell

director of the center 4 hope

Chris was born and raised in Rochester, NY. Graduating from Gates Chili High school he would later go on to earn his Master in Contextual Theology from Palmer Seminary at Eastern University. For seventeen years Chris was on the Pastoral Team at The Father’s House, located in Rochester, NY. Chris and his wife Tanya had the opportunity to launch a downtown extension site of The Father’s House in 2009, this provided much opportunity to build systems and teams to care for those who have a tremendous need. Chris’s deepest desire is to see the Kingdom of Heaven expand on earth, he also has a passion for leadership and leadership development in others. Chris and his wife Tanya reside in Pittsford, NY with their three children Kenadi, Levi, and May.

Melissa Maclean

Development coordinator

Melissa was born and raised in Rochester, NY. After completing an undergraduate degree at Houghton College (University), she returned back to Rochester to complete a Masters in Social Work (MSW) at Roberts Wesleyan College, and is currently finishing a Masters of Arts (MA) at Northeastern Seminary. Melissa has worked in a range of workspaces, including relief work to victims of human trafficking, refugees, individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as marketing for both nonprofit and corporate companies. She felt a call to ministry in her twenties and believes in the whole-person model of care, which led her to pursue studies in marketing, social work, theology, and health, in hopes of better serving both the Center 4 Hope and the greater body of Christ. She currently resides in the city where she lives with her husband Spencer.