Honor Chemung Youth Bureau

Senate Resolution No. 1124 BY: Senator O'MARA COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Chemung County Youth Bureau on April 25, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Chemung County Youth Bureau, to be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, April 25, 2017; and WHEREAS, For 40 years, the Chemung County Youth Bureau has served as a tireless advocate and has supported youth service goals and positive recreational development for the children and families of Chemung County; and WHEREAS, In the spring of 1977, the Chemung County Youth Bureau was established by a resolution of the County Legislature under the broad goals of researching the needs of county youth; under the luminous leadership of its first Director, Polly Sanders, the first year's budget was $24,495; and WHEREAS, Later that year, the administration and coordination of the Summer Cohesion Program was transferred from the Elmira City School District to the Chemung County Youth Bureau; in the spring of 1984, the City of Elmira Youth Bureau closed, and many of its planning functions were merged with the Chemung County Youth Bureau; and WHEREAS, In the fall of 1994, the Chemung County Youth Bureau merged with the Chemung County Parks and Recreation Department; four years later, the administration and operations of the county parks were reorganized under the Buildings and Grounds Department; and WHEREAS, From 1994-2012, with the financial support of DSS and NYS OCFS, the Youth Bureau experienced an unprecedented growth of youth programs; during this time, the Juvenile Assigned Work Service Program (JAWS), the SPOT Program, Super Saturday Program, Summer Youth Employment Program and the Learn & Earn Program were all developed; and WHEREAS, Today, after four decades of valuable service, the Chemung County Youth Bureau maintains a 1.3 million dollar budget and performs administrative and planning functions as well as providing direct services to youth and families in Chemung County; and WHEREAS, The Youth Bureau is one of the major youth employers in Chemung County, offering approximately 200 seasonal and part-time staff positions; in 2016, over 13,000 young people were served by programs and partnerships of the Chemung County Youth Bureau; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the Chemung County Youth Bureau for its unwavering commitment to the young citizens of Chemung County, as it provides an uncompromising standard of excellence in the delivery of superlative community service; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Chemung County Youth Bureau; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Chemung County Youth Bureau.