The Oneida County Children Care initiative recently completed its seventh successful year.

The County Youth Bureau initiative began in 2009 to introduce children to the lessons of community service through volunteerism.

County Executive Anthony Picente recognized the eight agencies and youth volunteers involved in the 2015 initiative today.

4,421 youth gave back 1,704 volunteer hours to the community last year.

Agencies that took part in the initiative included Utica Safe Schools,  the Neighborhood Center, the Thea Bowman House, the Salvation Army of Utica, Cornell Cooperative Extension, John Bosco House, Dodge Pratt and the Center for Family Life and Recovery.

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