An Experience Like No Other

Marienne Siracusa - Volunteer

“I have had the pleasure of rowing with several Master Rowing programs in the Rochester NY area over the last several years. The experience with all the clubs was and is pleasurable.

My experience with Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing is not only pleasurable, it is an honor.  When I first volunteered with RCiR I had no clue that “this” rowing experience would be like no other one I had ever experienced. I had no idea how by simply showing up to row that lives could be so remarkably changed for the better. Not only for the program participants, but also for the volunteers in the program.

Our mission is to create a supportive INCLUSIVE and fully accessible environment for veterans and people with ANY challenge. 

Our group of veterans can be working through some pretty serious issues. We volunteers are in the boat so each vet under Tim and Denny’s guidance can learn the mechanics of rowing.

In the beginning, there is a lot of introspective rowing, not a lot of talking or interaction. But then an amazing thing begins to happen. The vets, who in the beginning do not talk much, start to verbalize how this rowing program is sometimes, their ONLY lifeline to peace and tranquility.

This program, with Tim and Denny at the helm, is the only place where they could “turn off” their brain and find some peace. When we push off from the dock, they leave their problems on the dock. This program was literally saving their lives… Literally! We hear this over and over. Soon the vets, volunteers, along with Tim and Denny become more than individual rowers, we all become one in spirit and start on an amazing journey together as “one” not as individuals anymore… The Journey continues!”