Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. will announce the 2016 Oneida County Care Initiative

In 2015, 4,421 youth gave 1,704 volunteer hours to the community through the Oneida County Children Care Initiative.

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced that in 2015, 4,421 outstanding Oneida County youth gave back an amazing 1,704 volunteer hours to the community through the Oneida County Children Care Initiative, an Oneida County Youth Bureau initiative that began in 2009.

“As Oneida County supports our youth through programs and activities at some of our grassroots agencies, we want the young people of our community to know that it is just as important to give back to the community as it is to do anything else,” Picente said. “The Oneida County Children Care Initiative helps youth understand the benefits of community and volunteer service so that as they mature, they strengthen their community roots and their commitment to service.”

Oneida County Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green has recognized youth volunteers from The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Cornell Cooperative Extension, The Neighborhood Center, Thea Bowman House, John Bosco House, Utica Safe Schools/Underground Café and Dodge Pratt Northam Art Community all performed community service that included assisting in a bicycle giveaway for Utica children, making Christmas cards to send to veterans and service members, soliciting donations, collecting money and walking in Utica’s version of America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk, the Walk to end Alzheimer’s, Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide, Making Strides to end Breast Cancer Walk, cleaning senior citizen’s yards, preparing food and serving meals at local food pantries, youth mentoring and tutoring and other community activities.

“The Oneida County Children Care Initiative promotes youth being involved, community conscious citizens,” Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green said. Green added, “We are continuing to see our youth take ownership and pride in making a difference within our community through volunteering.” This initiative is a testimony to the work our youth serving agencies do on a daily basis and to the youth of Oneida County, who really do care.