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:

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.