Entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and fourth-generation business owner Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf is speaking out about a growing issue facing communities across upstate New York: the quiet erosion of local support systems and what that means for residents on a day-to-day level.
Drawing from decades of experience running local businesses, leading a regional animal rescue, and working directly with families, Lauren says the effects are already visible. "When people stop showing up locally, the impact is immediate," she said. "You feel it in small businesses, volunteer groups, and families who rely on those systems staying strong."
Across Monroe County and the surrounding region, small businesses and nonprofits are facing pressure from rising costs, staffing shortages, and declining volunteer participation. Key indicators include: small businesses account for over 99% of businesses in New York State, yet many report thinner margins than pre-2020 levels; in Monroe County, nearly half of nonprofit organizations operate with fewer than five full-time staff, increasing reliance on volunteers; local animal rescues across upstate New York report intake levels that remain 20–30% higher than pre-pandemic norms, while foster capacity has declined; more than 60% of consumer spending in the region now goes to non-local retailers, reducing dollars that stay in the local economy; and seasonal businesses report that one missed peak season can affect operations for an entire year.
"These aren't abstract numbers," Lauren said. "They translate into shorter hours, fewer services, and more strain on people who are already stretched."
Lauren's perspective is shaped by hands-on involvement across sectors. "Customers notice when things change," she said. "If a business cuts hours or a rescue pauses intake, it's usually because the support system around it weakened." She also emphasized the long-term nature of local ecosystems: "When you grow trees, you learn patience. You don't get results right away. Communities work the same way. If you stop investing, you don't see the damage immediately, but it shows up later."
Lauren notes that many residents want to help but aren't sure how to make an impact that actually sticks. "People think they need big gestures," she said. "Most of the time, what matters is consistency." Local businesses and organizations depend on predictable engagement — repeat customers, steady volunteers, and word-of-mouth referrals. "You don't need to own a business to support one," Lauren said. "You just need to choose it."
Lauren shared simple, realistic steps residents can take right now, including buying one item from a locally owned business instead of a national chain, leaving a thoughtful review for a local shop or service, sharing a local business or nonprofit on social media, asking a local organization what their most urgent need is, volunteering one hour, attending a local event, referring a friend to a local service provider, donating supplies instead of money, being patient with short staffing, and thanking a local business owner or volunteer directly. "Small actions add up faster than people think," she said.
Lauren recommends starting close to home: look for organizations with a visible local presence and clear leadership, ask how long they've served the community and who they help, check whether they publish updates or reports on their work, talk to volunteers or customers directly, and prioritize groups that show consistency over hype. "Trust comes from transparency and time," she said. "If something has been here for years, there's usually a reason."
Lauren encourages residents not to wait for the "right moment." "Communities don't stay strong on their own," she said. "They stay strong because people decide to take part." Her message is straightforward: choose one local action today, then repeat it. "That's how momentum starts," she said.
