We Meet People Where They Are
About Harambee
Harambee was founded to address the needs of individuals experiencing housing insecurity, substance-use challenges, and chronic mental-health conditions in Rochester, New York.
What Guides Us
Our Core Values
We believe effective care begins by recognizing the whole person and the challenges they face. For many people, these challenges intersect where housing instability overlaps with poverty, healthcare barriers, untreated health conditions, trauma, incarceration, addiction, and limited access to information and support. Our work combines compassionate engagement with practical assistance, helping individuals navigate systems, connect with healthcare and community resources, pursue stable housing, and address needs that may otherwise prevent long-term progress.
Community-Focused Leadership
Meet Our Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Sabrina Holmes
Sabrina Holmes is an experienced mental health and substance-use clinician with more than 20 years of service to underserved communities.
Her work focuses on trauma-informed practice, culturally responsive care, behavioral health, housing instability, and the integration of health-related social needs into service delivery.
As Chief Executive Officer, Sabrina leads Harambee with a commitment to dignity, self-determination, compassionate care, and sustainable community change.
Chair of the Board
Chaneisse Reaves, RN
Chaneisse Reaves brings extensive clinical expertise and leadership experience working with individuals affected by co-occurring substance-use and mental-health disorders.
Her background also includes supporting homeless populations living with chronic health conditions. Her leadership helps Harambee maintain a compassionate, holistic, person-centered approach to serving underserved communities.
Vice Chair
Irene Wilson, CRPA
Irene Wilson is a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate who draws on lived experience to help support individuals navigating mental-health and substance-use recovery.
Board Secretary
Shavory Burrows, LPN
Shavory Burrows, LPN, serves as the Secretary of Harambee, bringing valuable clinical and program management experience to the organization’s leadership. With a background in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, she has extensive experience coordinating programs, advocating for person-centered care, and ensuring quality service delivery.
Board Member
Cheryl Rizzo, LCSW
Cheryl Rizzo has been a dedicated social worker serving diverse populations in Rochester for over 30 years. She has made significant contributions to advancing social justice and delivering trauma-informed care to the city’s most vulnerable communities.
Board Member
Eroll Freytes, BSW
Eroll Freytes is a social worker in Rochester who advocates for Hispanic communities, amplifying underserved voices and bringing visibility to those too often overlooked.
Everyone Deserves A Path Forward
Help Build a Stronger Community
Your support helps Harambee Community Action Initiative connect individuals with housing, food, clothing, healthcare, recovery resources, benefits, employment support, education, and other essential services.