CAMERON COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC

Founded in 1984, Cameron Community Ministries is an Urban Outreach Community Center in the Lyell-Otis Neighborhood of Rochester. We offer many programs including, Youth After-School and Summer programs, a free hot meal program that serves lunch daily, an emergency food pantry and a clothing house that serves community members in need of clothing and housewares. Cameron is currently serving more people than ever before. Last year (2014) we served over 55,000 hot meals and our Youth programs had extensive waiting lists. The Cameron Youth Program offers a safe place to be after school for elementary school children in the neighborhood. The primary emphasis is on homework completion, tutoring, and positive behavior and conflict resolution. The Program also focuses on offering children exposure to a world outside of their immediate zip code through field trips and other cultural arts programs. The children have a chance to not only improve their educational skills but also select from a wide variety of cultural activities and clubs and learn new recreational sports and games throughout the year. The pressures to engage in unhealthy lifestyles are immense in the Cameron neighborhood. There are many factors that create an environment for poor choices and negative behaviors that can have life-long consequences. Most of Cameron's children are considered at risk of crime, violence, teen parenting, substance abuse and poor academic performance including drop out. Cameron's staff and volunteers work every day to give the children the tools necessary to fight for a better, more successful future.