Camden, New York (August 2024) – Camden Life Center has been awarded a grant of $10,000.00 for the Youth Advisory Council & Internship Program by the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties.
This new project at Camden Life Center hopes to support the implementation of the Camden Youth Advisory Council (YAC) action plan aimed at enhancing the well-being of rural youth through better access, education, opportunities, and environment. This program began in May 2024 and will continue through the end of the year. It aims to meet one of Camden Life Center’s goals which is to empower the rural community to thrive by addressing needs across the lifespan. The Camden YAC will also meet the need highlighted in a study conducted in 2024 by Syracuse University which identified the need for increased youth programming. Director, Jessica Perusse says, “It was amazing watching the youth come together to work on this action plan under the guidance of Rebecca Wallace. Her teaching experience created a highly interactive, thought-inducing activity where each kid came away feeling a sense of pride and ownership.” The primary population served by this project includes high school youth interested in creating change in their community.
Funds will support expanding our services and events for youth. This includes purchasing therapeutic and educational tools like games, books, art supplies, workgroup materials, and snacks for meetings and events. Additionally, funds will be allocated for recreational equipment, including a gaga pit and outdoor movie supplies. Outreach materials that will be used to combat rural stigma. The Camden Life Center offers a wide variety of services through thoughtful partnerships with service agencies. Working together, partner agencies such as Come to the Table Counseling, Center for Family Life and Recovery, Helio Health, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, the YWCA, and others each bringing their own unique specialization of services and programs to our community. The goal of this collaboration is to bring the most requested and needed services and support right onto Main Street, Camden.