Dear Monroe County Residents,

As your current President of Monroe County Legislator, representing the 26th District, I  thank you for your continued support during this term in the County Legislature.

I have enjoyed getting to know many of you throughout my time as a community advocate, non-profit leader, and County Legislator. I am a homeowner and member of this community, a proud graduate of The Aquinas Institute and Nazareth College, and a lifelong public servant. Born in Puerto Rico, I moved to Rochester, where I was raised in a single-parent household. My mother, a fierce, and loving woman, understood the importance and value of a solid education and chose to do everything in her power, including working several jobs, to ensure that I was exposed to an educational system outside of the reality of the neighborhood I grew up in.

Throughout my life, my passion has always been providing service to others. My advocacy experience started when I was young as I worked alongside Father Tracey and started a youth group within my church, St. Michael’s. At the age of 15, I began working as a community outreach advocate with Action for a Better Community’s Action Front Center, where I spent five years working as a peer educator in the field of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

For over 11 years, I dedicated myself to improving the lives of children, schools, and families in need, providing social and emotional support at the Center for Youth Services, Inc. I served as the Senior Relationship Manager and Latino Leadership Development Coordinator for the United Way of Greater Rochester, where I worked diligently to help provide critical funding to over 70 programs throughout Monroe County, touching the lives of over 30,000 residents.  I consider myself fortunate to fight for our children and families because I know first-hand how life-changing it can be when a community comes together to take care of its own. As a new mom, I have been blessed with a support system all families deserve.

As a leader within the Democratic Party, my values and commitment to our Party have not wavered. First elected in 2018, I have had the pleasure of working with my fellow Democratic Caucus colleagues and our County Executive to provide services and support to all of our community members during these trying times. I have lead and supported initiatives such as the Monroe County Language Access Plan, County’s Emergency Rent Assistance Program, legislation that would provide financial relief to struggling restaurants by temporarily capping the commission fees charged to restaurants by third-party food delivery services, the use of Federal CARES Act and ARPA funding to create an innovative grant program focused on women and minority-owned businesses and other non-profits, and leading efforts to educate and advocate for Equal Pay for Women all across our County.

Our residents deserve the best representation possible from their elected representatives. With your support, I plan on continuing to fight for what is right and for what our residents need. From what you have seen of me, thus far, I can assure you I will continue to put good government first- over self.  

Thank you for your time, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to continuing to serve you.

Respectfully,

Yversha Roman and Family (We serve together)