Youth Bureau

607-739-3517

2305-C Grand Central Avenue

Horseheads, NY 14845

Mission Statement

     The Horseheads Youth Bureau's purpose is to advance the development of youth into responsible, productive shareholders in the Horseheads' community.  Education, recreation, counseling, delinquency diversion, program research and dissemination of youth program data and information are a few methods used to advance the Youth Bureau's purpose.  This has been consistent since the Youth Bureau's inception in 1974.

     The primary goal is to provide a variety of positive experiences as an alternative to delinquent behavior.  In New York State, the cost of incarcerating a youth in a NYS Office of Children/Family Service Detention Center is approximately $61,000 per year.   An average of 3-5 troubled young people from throughout Chemung County are sent to such a facility.  The Town of Horseheads Youth Bureau is a positive prevention tool to advance the well-being of youth and encourage them to shape their future in a meaningful manner.

      The Bureau receives its direction from the Youth Advisory Board, which consists of 15-20 community members representing a cross-section of the Town's population of 19,926.  Adults and youth meet monthly to discuss current Youth Bureau activities and consider new and/or unique youth development strategies.

      The Youth Bureau is a Department of the Town of Horseheads, a community encompassing 36 square miles.  Youth Bureau Executive Director Al Edwards and his staff are directly responsible to Town Supervisor Michael Edwards.  Funding for the Youth Bureau is provided by the Town and the New York State Office of Children/Family Services.  Individuals and many organizations have also provided generous support.

       Youth Bureau services are available to all youth who live within the Town of Horseheads.  Additionally, all youth attending school in the Elmira Heights or Horseheads School District may take advantage of Youth Bureau programming.  All Youth Bureau staff cooperates with local school officials in program and service delivery.

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Youth Bureau Administration

      Executive Director – Bruce May

      Youth Court Coordinator – Christopher Drake

      Youth Program Coordinator - Heather Hendley

      Clerk Typist - Megan Leach

Town of Horseheads Youth Court

Begun in 1976, Horseheads Youth Court is a successful alternative to the Family-Court system.  When a youth age 7-15 is apprehended breaking a law, he/she may be summoned before the members of the Youth Court for trial.  Members are local youth (ages 12-19) who are trained as judges, lawyers, and law clerks in the trial-by-peer process.

This nationally recognized Youth Court allows a first time offender to assume full responsibility of their negative actions without acquiring a juvenile record.  Many of these offenders are good young people who made a poor decision.  Youth Court allows these youth a "second chance.”

Any resident (grades 7-12) of the Town of Horseheads or a student attending Thomas A. Edison High School, Horseheads Middle School or Horseheads High School is eligible to apply for Youth Court membership.  Training is held in October-November at the Horseheads Village Hall.  The fourteen-hour training is followed by a written test and an interview.

Youth Court clients receive community service hours for their sentence.  This work is performed at the Youth Bureau, various Town and Village Parks, SPCA, YMCA, Horseheads Fire Department and many other agencies in the region.

Youth Court clients are referred by Horseheads Police Department, Elmira Heights Police Department, New York State Troopers, Chemung County Sheriff Department as well as school officials and parents.

What Kind of Training Is Given To Members?

Each prospective Youth Court member is required to take a 7-week training course.  Training is designed to give trainees a basic understanding of Penal Law, Probation, Family Court, and roles of Judges, Attorneys, and Law Clerks.  The course covers such topics as the jurisdiction of the Youth Court, advantages and disadvantages, the ethics of the court process, courtroom procedure, the rules of evidence and interviewing offenders.  An extensive part of the training also involves participation in simulated hearings and role-play of mock cases. At the end of the course, an examination is given followed by a personal interview.  At that point the selection will be made and candidates will be notified as soon as possible.

Requirements to Become a Youth Court Member:

       A. Students in grades 7-12 in the Horseheads or Elmira Heights School District, or a resident of the Town of Horseheads.

B. Comprehensive 7 week training.

C. Mandatory attendance.

D. Participation in training activities.

E. Accuracy on take-home assignments.

F. Pass competitive bar exam.

G. Personal interview.

The 2005 Youth Court Member Induction ceremony.  The Youth Court members are being sworn in by Town Supervisor Michael Edwards.

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Youth Employment Services

The most popular Youth Bureau Program is YES. It is a clearinghouse for jobs for youth ages 14 to 21. Youth are required to obtain working papers from their schools nurse's office and a social security number before they may be referred to a job. Job placements are made throughout Chemung County.  The Youth Bureau also pursues state and federal job development support regularly.

Youth learn about job experiences, interviewing skills, applications, references, resume writing as well as various communication skills.

For youth under age 14, several income-generating activities are planned annually to provide these youth with useful opportunities to lean about sales and earn money.  Christmas wreaths and candy sales generated significant income for area youth last year.

The statutes of the New York State Department of Labor govern the YES Program. YES is a referral program.

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Youth Council

Youth Council is an organization which determines youth interests (Recreational, social, cultural, etc.), helps to create a beneficial environment for the community, and helps youth build different skills through conferences, seminars, community service events, and recreational activities.

What Youth Council Does

Some of the events that Youth Council sponsors are: T.G.I.F.’s, Youth for Youth, Battle of the Bands, Horseheads Middle School Dances, and Trips to New York City and Darien Lake.

Requirements for Membership

1. Must be a resident of Horseheads or Elmira Heights or a student in the Horseheads or Elmira Heights School District.

2. Members must be in grades 9^th through 12^th.

3. Members must be willing to share their ideas, participate in Youth Council Meetings, and participate in Youth Council sponsored activities.

How To Join

Attend one of our meetings to meet the members and hear about our upcoming events, activities, and plans.  If you like what you have seen, continue to attend weekly meetings and fill out a Youth council application.  Before you know it, you will be helping make your community a better place for all to enjoy.

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Learning Web

Youth are allowed to explore a skill, trade, craft or hobby through a one-on-one or small group basis with a person knowledgeable in a particular field.  This opportunity is available to any youth willing to take on responsibility of such a commitment.

VOLUNTEERS are needed regularly to share their skills with area youngsters. Examples of Learning Web activities: baby-sitter clinic, DJ workshop, pottery, cartooning, ceramics, fishing, small engine repair, carving, whittling, clowning/puppetry and various sports.

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Recreation

The Youth Bureau works closely with the Village of Horseheads Recreation Department to provide meaningful recreation activities for youth and adults of all -ages throughout the year. Great efforts are made to provide these activities free of charge or at very low cost.

Any youth who cannot afford the cost of any Youth Bureau activity may request a full waiver of any costs. Contributions have been made to the Youth Bureau to insure that no youth is prohibited from participation due to economic hardship.

WINTER RECREATION:

The Youth Bureau plans some indoor/outdoor activities at local parks and other recreation facilities. The Youth Bureau's Youth Basketball Program operates from November thru February for boys and girls in grades 3-9 at local schools.

SUMMER RECREATION:

Many activities are planned by all Youth Bureau staff to enhance seasonal youth development activities.  Summer Cohesion is a cooperative collaboration with other servicing agencies in Chemung County to provide local youth age 7-12 with a variety of recreational experiences in the summer.  In the past, Horseheads area sites have included Ridge Road School, Center Street School, Gardner Road School, St. Mary Our Mother School, Breesport Methodist Church and the Erin Town Hall.  Registration for the program occurs in June each year.

Upcoming Youth Bureau Activities
                          
                        
Presently – Youth Council is continually accepting new member applications. Applications may be picked up at the Town of Horseheads Youth Bureau. Interested 9th through 12th graders may attend a Youth Council meeting at the Town of Horseheads Youth Bureau any Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Bruce May at 739-3517.

 

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