Orange County hosts Summer Youth Government Immersion Program

GOSHEN, N.Y. - Orange County Government, through County Executive Neuhaus, the Youth Bureau, and the Human Resources Department, hosted 16 teen volunteers in a variety of departments this summer. This program offers hands-on work experience for local high school students who live and attend school in Orange County.

"The Summer Youth Government Immersion Program provides an invaluable experience for young adults to get a taste of different career paths, and start to figure out what their interests are," said Neuhaus. "We value their work with the County and are glad to offer this important program. I encourage current high school students to take advantage of this opportunity next summer."

These teens spent part of their summer break volunteering while also gaining real-work experience. Teens are matched to County departments that meet their interests and have available volunteer opportunities. Host departments for this summer included: Orange County Airport, Department of Health - Division of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Department of Social Services, District Attorney's Office, Emergency Services - Division of Emergency Communications and Management, Sheriff's Office, Tourism and Film, Veterans Service Agency, and Youth Bureau.

The program began with an orientation that included tips on how to incorporate volunteer activities on applications when applying for jobs, scholarships, and colleges. The students also received vital interview skills during their initial meetings with their supervisors.

Dedicating time as a volunteer helps the youth expand their networks and boost their social skills. Volunteering gives them the opportunity to practice important skills that can also be useful in the workplace. Since the program started back in 2011, over 243 teens have volunteered. Based on testimonies from the teens who took part in the program, it has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for the youth of Orange County.

"This impressive group of teens took a big chunk of time out of their summer breaks to volunteer in County Government. That is not easy to do," said Orange County Youth Bureau Executive (OCYB) Director Rachel Wilson. "They demonstrated such a great level of professionalism and enthusiasm all summer long. At the end of the program celebration, I got a chance to talk with a handful of teens. All their feedback about their experiences was positive, and that was exciting to hear."

The program concluded with a ceremony at SUNY Orange, during which youth and supervisors demonstrated the value of the program by sharing highlights from the summer. During the program, Wilson expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the participating departments for adjusting their schedules and coming up with creative projects for the youth this summer. She also thanked the youth for their dedication and hard work and encouraged them to keep pursuing a spirit of volunteerism and civic engagement as they continue on their paths of education and employment.

For more information about other volunteer and skill building opportunities for youth and young adults, please contact Linda Seppey or Michael Bark at 845-615-3620, [email protected]; [email protected] or follow @OrangeCountyYB on Facebook.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on You Tube.

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