03/10/2026
Cameron Community Ministries Innovates to Thrive
For over forty years, Cameron Community Ministries has served the Lyell-Otis neighborhood of Rochester, one of the lowest income zip code tracts in the city.
Like many nonprofits who struggle to cultivate alternative revenue sources in the face of government funding cuts and declines in charitable giving, Cameron has consistently sought every measure necessary to preserve its core ministries that serve the city’s most vulnerable populations.
In the light of the challenges of the current economic and political climate — specifically facing a 2025 deficit of roughly $80,000 and a similar 2026 projected deficit on an operating budget of $800,000 — Cameron’s Board of Directors acted to innovate in order to thrive.
On Friday, March 6, the board took the difficult step of eliminating three paid positions, which will eradicate the deficit in its current operating budget.
Additionally, the Board unanimously agreed to return Cameron to its core mission by focusing resources on its biggest impact programs: our daily lunch program, food pantry, clothing boutique, and after-school program.
“While we deeply regret this reduction in force and the disruption it will cause in the lives of three Cameron employees, by returning to a sustainable budget and our core programming, Cameron will be in a strong position to continue as a beacon of hope and a place of service and empowerment for the Lyell-Otis neighborhood,” said Jim Stockmaster, Chair of the Board
