February 17, 2026
Oneida County Youth Volunteer Nearly 3,700 Hours Through Children Care Initiative
County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that 1,084 youth volunteered 3,698 hours through the Oneida County Children Care initiative in 2025.
"This year, over 1,000 young people in Oneida County stepped up to make a difference in their communities, demonstrating the power of service and compassion," Picente said. "Through the Oneida County Children Care initiative, these volunteers have not only contributed thousands of hours to meaningful causes but have also shown that our future is in good hands. Their dedication to helping others—whether through beautification projects, raising awareness or uplifting those in need—is truly inspiring. I commend their efforts and thank our partner organizations for fostering a spirit of volunteerism that will have a lasting impact on our county."
The county initiative partnered last year with Center for Family Life and Recovery, ICAN, The Neighborhood Center, Safe Schools Mohawk Valley, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Thea Bowman House.
Youth volunteers performed community service that included creating Black History Month projects; planting flowers at The House of the Good Shepherd; supporting Hope House and participating in the County’s Intergenerational Spring/Fall Clean-Ups, National Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week, Youth Mental Health Day, Heart Warming Christmas Campaign, Adopt-A-Family, Harvest on the Hill and the Boonville-Oneida County Fair.
“The Oneida County Children Care initiative began in 2009 with a goal of teaching our children the invaluable lessons of community service learned through volunteerism,” said Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green. “Our youth-serving agencies do incredible work daily with our children. Nothing has stood in the way of their commitment to teach our youth the value of volunteerism and giving back to their communities. This Oneida County Children Care initiative once again proves that our children really do care.”
Now in its fifteenth year, the Oneida County Children Cares initiative has seen 18,764 youth dedicate 63,738 hours to community service.
Oneida County Partners
