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.