In the 1960s, individuals discharged from psychiatric hospitals, who were not ready to live on their own, had no place to go. The Mental Health Association (MHA) of Rochester, headed by Hilton Hedrick, developed a plan that would provide supported housing options for individuals with persistent mental illness in the community. As a result of the MHA plan, East House was founded. The founding board members, led by Paul Wolk and Hettie Shumway, championed East House to become incorporated as a non-profit organization. East House was founded by The Honorable David O. Boehm, Ralph T. Collins, M.D., Hilton Hedrick, Hettie L. Shumway, James Sterner, M.D., and Paul Wolk.

In 1966, with the additional support of local foundations and private donations, Dorothea Brayer was hired as East House’s first executive director. That year, with three employees and an annual budget of $39,000, East House became the first halfway house in New York State and one of the pioneer programs in the country for individuals recovering from mental illness.

Since 1966, East House has been on the cutting edge of providing recovery services and programs to individuals in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders. To see the full East House Chronology, Click Here.