Ministry of Concern recognized by Chamber for service to community

Provided photos: The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern has started a food and personal care pantry at Albion Central School in the middle and high schools. This photo from February includes, from left, Rose Friedl, youth coordinator for GOMOC; Jami Allport, executive director for GOMOC; and Brittany Barleben, middle and high school social worker.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jami Allport is director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, which will be recognized with the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course.

ALBION – The organization known for years as “The Agency of Last Resort” will be honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with the Community Service Award.

The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and other honorees will be recognized at the 27th annual awards ceremony on Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Jami Allport, director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, said the organization is very excited about receiving that honor.

GOMOC began in 1955 as the Migrant Ministry, when Medina teacher Arden McAllister and Sister Marian Adrian started it to support migrant farmworkers in Orleans County. Sister Marian would eventually serve as director from 1991 until her retirement in 2006.

The agency focused on meeting the basic needs of migrant families who were vital to the local economy, but often lacked access to stable housing, transportation and essential services.

Over time, the GOMOC mission was expanded to serve all individuals and families in crisis in Orleans and Genesee counties. Today, according to Allport, GOMOC operates a wide range of critical community programs which address immediate needs, while helping families work toward stability.

This includes a furniture program coordinated by Staci Palmer with truck drivers James Shoeberlein Jr. and Kyle Woolston; Emergency Assistance Program, overseen by the office staff as a whole; Homeless Outreach Program, overseen by Steven Trembley; Youth and Family Empowerment Program, led by Rosie Friedl; the Mary Grace Room, overseen by high school intern Abby Kincaid; and Rental Assistance Program, run by Office Manager Carol Whalin.

Through these efforts, COMOC continues to be a lifeline for residents who have nowhere else to turn, Allport said. The organization operates on the belief that every individual deserves respect, dignity and access to resources, regardless of their circumstances.

For many years, the agency had officers on Main Street, until being offered space in the First Presbyterian Church, where they moved in March 2024.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce,” Allport said. “This recognition reflects not just the work of our staff, but the incredible support of our entire community. Together, we make a difference in the lives of people who need it most.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion village trustee Tim McMurray and Jami Allport, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, on Jan. 25, 2024 walk along the railroad tracks in Albion between Main Street and West Academy Street. They were among several agency and government leaders out that day trying the measure the homeless population in the community. Allport offered gift cards to Tops, as well as snacks, blankets and gloves. GOMOC for the past year has made backpacks with supplies available to the local unhoused population. The backpacks were purchased with a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.