TemPro
TEMPRO AT TEMPLE B’RITH KODESH 
“Tempro” stands for TEMple PROject to help families who are in need of housing!
Tempro Development Co. Inc. was formed in July of 1969. Community members Sanford Gradinger, Erwin Witt, Thomas Fink, Stephen Jacobstein and Seymour Grau founded Tempro Development Co. Inc. after being inspired by Rabbi Bronstein. Tempro was started as a major social action project of Temple B’rith Kodesh.
The founding members of Tempro were concerned about the plight of families in Rochester who were experiencing homelessness after the riots and the unacceptable conditions they faced in local hotels and shelters where they were placed. In addition families were divided and not able to stay together which made a traumatic situation worse. The founders of Tempro started the project with three houses near the public market where those families could stay. Over time the number of homes has increased to eleven. These eleven homes are fully equipped for families to stay together, which would not be possible in more typical shelter services.
Households with three to 10 family members are assigned to an appropriate Tempro home. The emergency housing specialist assists them in obtaining kitchenware, food, linens, bus tokens, and toiletries and hygiene products so that they can without delay continue to live as a homogeneous family. Where public transportation is not available, our van gets the family to medical appointments, intervention programs, and housing services. Arrangements are also made for the children to be able to continue the very next day in their present school.
A contract with the Monroe County Department of Social Services, utilizing federal and state funds, enables us to house over 150 families a year with a partnership that includes management and support services by Providence Housing Corporation (an affiliate of the local Catholic Diocese).
DONATE DIRECTLY by specifying TEMPRO at the dropdown menu - OR select from our FAMILY ITEM WISH LIST
Tempro Development Company, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charitable corporation. For over fifty years, Tempro has helped families experiencing homelessness in Rochester. Our families are each housed in one of our eleven houses to avoid separation or placement in communal shelters. Each home is furnished and fully equipped.
Donations support maintenance and upkeep of the houses and the van. In 2022, significant investments were made in exterior painting, siding, gutters, and masonry repairs.
Donations also fund the purchase of a customized welcome basket for each incoming family. Upon arrival, every family receives personal hygiene supplies for each family member and basic housekeeping supplies. WISH LIST items also go directly to families who need them.
Tempro maintains a food cupboard to provide food for families who arrive at our houses without food. The cupboard provides meals while emergency assistance is being processed. Donations fund these food purchases as well.
Homelessness is an ongoing issue. We strive to minimize the trauma this situation can cause families. Your support helps with this effort. Use this link or the DONATE button on the TBK home page and be sure to specify TEMPRO on the TYPE dropdown menu.
PITCHING IN AT TEMPRO
Congregants are encouraged to consider participation in a committee, leading to serving on the Board of Directors. These experiences can enhance one’s skills which can be carried over to your own professional development. We would be very pleased to hear from individuals with a desire to take individual or shared responsibility for money management for a small charitable corporation, coordination of volunteer activities, outreach and communication to the Temple and the Federation community, IT and social media, and events planned for the client families. Ours is a congenial and welcoming group of students, householders, and business and professional folks.
The needs in our community are great and we need Temple members to help us help our Rochester community! Please contact Dan Gurell (dan@gurell.com) or Jerry Zakalik (jerryzakalik@gmail.com) to find out more.
