Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Youth Bureau are pleased to announce the establishment of the Ossining Youth Bureau and the reestablishment of the Port Chester and Yonkers youth bureaus.
“Across the county generations of parents, young adults, and youth have benefitted from Youth Bureaus,” County Executive George Latimer said. “Prior to
the economic devastation brought on by COVID-19, discussions surrounding the need for social, emotional, physical, educational, and economic supports were ongoing; but the pandemic made this more pronounced. This historic addition of three Youth Bureaus in Westchester stands as a clear reminder that we are investing in [the] county’s children, youth, and families.”
Westchester County has become the first county to establish a new youth bureau since the 1980s.
“For decades local governments have contemplated the feasibility of starting or reviving municipal Youth Bureaus; yet, efforts did not advance until recently,
when key community members, local and county governments, and the Westchester County Youth Bureau began developing local strategies to address the
multitude of children, youth, and family’s needs,” said Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, county Youth Bureau executive director.
A youth bureau is an agency created by counties and cities, or a town or village with a total population of 20,000 or more, for the purpose of planning, coordinating and supplementing the activities of public, private and religious agencies devoted to the welfare and protection of youth.
“Now more than ever, we need to reengage our young people with programs and enhanced offerings that can tackle their growing needs,” said Anthony Landi, Yonkers Parks, Recreation and Conservation commissioner. “Special thanks to the County and our local community-based organizations for their support in
investing in our next generation.”
Port Chester Mayor Richard Falanka said, “It is our hope that its mission shall be to continue to work hard with our local youth so that they may gain valuable experience and measurable skills that will in turn improve their confidence as abilities as they prepare to be successful members of today’s society. Many of our youth have already expressed that they have great pride in having successfully completed various work programs provided by the village government. Many of our youth received compensation for the firsttime in their young lives which contributed to needs of family lifeduring the COVID-19 pandemic. The Port Chester Youth Bureau will continue to build a foundation of progressive programming that will create youth leaders through workforce empowerment.”
Frank Williams, the executive director of the White Plains Youth Bureau and President of the Association of New York State Youth Bureau Association said, “Youth Bureaus rely on the evidenced based Positive Youth Development philosophy. We approach working with children and youth through a strength-based formula that allows youth to develop skills and competencies so they can transition into self-sustaining adults, exercise their voices, and increase their awareness of leadership and civic duty.” (Submitted)
