Tag: kim brumber

East House raises starting pay

East House, a nonprofit that provides housing and support services to individuals recovering from mental health and substance, will raise the base starting pay for staff to $15 per hour.

“The work our employees do is incredibly tough and their passion and commitment to our clients is what makes this place so special,” East House President and CEO Kim Brumber. “While this increase is a step in the right direction, we need the community and our elected officials to know this is not the only answer. We continue to face ongoing pressures as the scope of practice and staff responsibility has increased, client health challenges have grown more complex and the labor market continues to be extremely competitive. The health of our community depends on programs and services like East House.”

East House employs 215 full-time, part-time and per-diem employees and is one of the few providers in the region that specialize in both mental health and substance use disorders for adults, as regulated by both the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). The baseline-pay change comes amid increasing demand for services, due in part to the pandemic.

East House works with more than 1,500 clients annually, most of whom live below the poverty line and receive a continuum of supported residential care including short-term respite, 24-hour community living, apartments with on-site staff and independent living support. Education, employment and financial case management also are important elements to wellness and healing and East House provides a network of wraparound recovery services that continue to evolve based on client needs.

The nonprofit organization was founded in 1966.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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East House names new chief executive

Kim Brumber
Kim Brumber

Rochester’s East House has chosen a nonprofit veteran as its next leader.

Kim Brumber, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York, on Jan. 7 will step into her new role as president and CEO of East House, a nonprofit that provides recovery services and programs to individuals in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders. She will lead East House’s efforts to provide quality housing and recovery support services to those facing the challenges of mental health and substance use disorders.

Brumber has led VoA for two years, and previously was a CEO in the NeighborWorks network. Under her 15-year leadership, NeighborWorks Rochester grew from a $500,000 operating budget with a staff of eight to more than $2.5 million and a staff of 22. She also led the merger of four NeighborWorks organizations across Western New York to create a sustainable business model for small community development organizations.

“After an extensive search and interviews, we believe Kim Brumber has the experience and skills necessary to lead the executive team, work effectively with community partners and supporters, drive measurable impact and build strategically to ensure the continued growth of East House,” East House board chairman Andrew Dollinger said in a statement.

Dollinger said the organization wanted to find a proven leader who could build upon the successes and programs already in place at East House.

“I have always been driven by a desire to lead transformation, whether that be the transformation of a house, a neighborhood, an organization or the staff that works with me,” Brumber said. “I am so honored to be leading the East House team, who has helped thousands of people in recovery to transform their lives.”

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer