Cameron Community Ministries

Cameron Community Ministries, Inc. is an ecumenical urban community center located in the Rochester, New York, Lyell-Otis Neighbor...Learn more

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Michael Ford is fundraising
Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
One of the greatest privileges of my ministry is my ongoing partnership with Cameron Community Ministries. I have recently (December) returned to a position on the Board, and I wanted to reach out for your support.

Cameron provides more than 30000 meals each year to people in our community. To do this important work, we need all of our equipment in top shape. It has come to my attention that our main walk-in refrigerator needs replacement. Without this vital piece of equipment, the food we receive from our community partners cannot last long enough for us to turn it into healthy, filling meals.

Here is where you can help.

The total cost of the replacement walk-in refrigerator is $13,000. Our Board members have generously contributed approximately half of that amount. Other community groups have already contributed, as well, and we are incredibly thankful. We need to raise $6,000 more.

Please help us meet (and exceed) this goal. Any funds we raise beyond the total cost for this project will be set aside for future kitchen capital expenses -- as we know, things need replacing from time to time, especially things that are used on a daily basis as they are at Cameron. Any amount, large or small, will help us meet this goal and have a huge impact on our ability to serve our community. Thank you for your generosity!
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26 supporters
Lorelei Morrow is fundraising
Social Worker for Cameron Community Ministries
Cameron Community Ministries is a nonprofit community center located in the Rochester, New York, Lyell-Otis Neighborhood, which is an area of high poverty. Cameron provides programs for neighborhood residents through volunteers and staff that give (i) school-age children and their families educational and recreational experiences to build life-skills and positive values in a structured, safe and nurturing environment, (ii) meals to the hungry, and (iii) clothing to those in need. Cameron's service to the neighborhood demonstrates respect for the dignity of all persons.

Cameron hosts an afterschool program for children located in the Lyell-Otis neighborhood. This program has 25 students enrolled in the K-6 Program and 15 in the Teen Center Program. Most of these students live in the area, where approximately 25% of Rochester's crime occurs. The trauma that the children and youth at Cameron have experienced is extensive. In the K-6 Program: seven children have an incarcerated parent, five have lost a parent to a homicide, four were sexually abused, six have a mental health diagnosis, and one has contemplated suicide. In the Teen Center: one has experienced gun violence directly, one was sexually assaulted, two are struggling with an identity crisis, one has a mental health diagnosis, and two have lost a parent to substance abuse overdose. The organization's biggest goal is to disrupt the cycle of violence that these innocent children are raised in.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events (all types of abuse and neglect) that occur before a child reaches the age of 18. Per the CDC, "adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity." It is an unfortunate truth that drug usage, gang membership, and the glorification of violence/weapons are all normalized for these children.

These children need help and are now asking for it.

The need for a social worker is clear. The social worker's primary objective would be:

Working with youth struggling socially, educationally, or with health concerns

Developing a supportive relationship with the youth to help them overcome or deal with problems

Conduct group discussions with youth

Increase the confidence of youth to allow them to understand and address their issues

Providing a safe space and a "safe" adult for the youth to talk to

Advocating for the youth and providing resources/referral information

Implement empirical prevention and treatment strategies

This organization does everything it possibly can to serve this neighborhood's community. The devastatingly high crime and violence rates hit these children the hardest. This nonprofit stretches every penny to the limit, and every donation will help move Cameron closer to hiring a social worker.

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13 supporters
Jennifer Muniga is fundraising
Kaila & Jalisa's Road to Mercy
The pressures to engage in unhealthy lifestyles are immense in the Cameron neighborhood. There are many factors that create an environment for young girls to make poor choices and engage in negative behaviors that can have life-long consequences. To counter these risks and set girls up for future success, we created a small group called The R&R for Girls group. R&R stands for Respect and Responsibility. Our motto is "Be strong, be confident, be fearless, and stick to your goals."

This year the R&R group toured Our Lady of Mercy School. Mercy is a private all-girls Catholic school teaching grades 6-12. Every year 100% of the girls graduate and 98-100% go on to attend college.

Seven of our R&R girls toured the school, five decided to take the placement exam and two were accepted with flying colors! Kaila Toppin and Jalisa Egues will be attending Mercy this Fall. We couldn't be more proud of them!

Mercy costs $8,800 per student per year to attend. The families will receive 50% of the cost in financial aid. The girls have applied for scholarships and are fundraising for themselves as well. However, we need to help cover the gaps for Kaila and Jalisa. We want to level the playing field. The girls deserve to have the same opportunities that all of the other young women at Mercy have. This includes, uniforms, school lunches, yearbooks etc...

We know that R&R for Girls has given Kaila and Jalisa the experience and background that they need to succeed in this environment. They are strong, confident and ready to take on their dreams. This opportunity is life changing. Can you help them?!
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23 supporters

About Cameron Community Ministries

Cameron Community Ministries, Inc. is an ecumenical urban community center located in the Rochester, New York, Lyell-Otis Neighborhood, which is an area of high poverty. Cameron provides programs for neighborhood residents through volunteers and staff that give (i) school-age children and their families educational and recreational experiences to build life-skills and positive values in a structured, safe and nurturing environment, (ii) meals to the hungry, and (iii) clothing to those in need. Cameron?s service to the neighborhood demonstrates respect for the dignity of all persons. We are faith based, but do not proselytize. All are served.

48 Cameron StRochester, NY 14606

Find Cameron Community Ministries at

Causes

Christianity, Human services

Established

1986

Tax ID

16-1257507

NTEE code

Organization-Sponsored Eatery or Agency

Cameron Community Ministries is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 16-1257507. Donations are tax-deductible. Select content is provided by GuideStar.

Recent Donations

Anonymous donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$5021 hrs
Daniel Harrison donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$1002 d
Alexandra Hotz donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$253 d
Lake Avenue Baptist Church donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$5004 d
Bethany Presbyterian Church donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$1,0004 d
James Shaw donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$1004 d
Offline Donations and Commitments donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$9,0004 d
Darlene Goulette donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$257 d
Joyce Johnson donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$1008 d
Jonathan Hardin donated to Help Replace Cameron's Vital Fridge
$1008 d