Suffolk Officials Announce Second Annual Youth Week May 16-21

Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone have announced the second annual Suffolk County Youth Week will be held from May 16 through May 21. As part of the annual weeklong celebration, several events have been planned to honor, mentor and celebrate young people in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Youth Week is the result of legislation sponsored by Legislator Richberg and approved by the county legislature to designate the third week of May as “Youth Week” starting in 2021. A collaboration among the Suffolk County Legislature, Suffolk County Executive Bellone, the Suffolk County Youth Bureau, and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the goal of Youth Week is to recognize children between the ages of 9 and 12 as well as teenagers and celebrate their active participation in our communities.

“I want to thank all of our partners and supporters who helped bring our second annual Youth Week to fruition,” said Legislator Richberg. “Youth Week is about celebrating our next generation of leaders, encouraging them to stay on the path of helping others, and giving young people more opportunities to get involved. We hope to keep this a tradition in Suffolk County for many years to come.”

Suffolk County Youth Week will kick off on Monday, May 16 with the Second Annual Suffolk County Youth Awards, a celebration of young people from across the county. This year’s awards will recognize youth who have gone above and beyond in helping their communities over the past year. Suffolk County youth who performed extraordinary community service will be honored in a virtual awards ceremony. To nominate a young person worthy of recognition, please visit https://bit.ly/3LF2I9Z. To register for the awards ceremony, please visit http://tinyurl.com/SCYouthAwards2022.

“Every day, whether it is through community service, recreational sports, various forms of art, or school clubs, our young people contribute to the vibrancy of our communities in innumerable ways,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “Youth Week is designed to not only provide our youth with the tools they need to continue to succeed, but to also recognize and honor each and every one of them for their outstanding achievements, character, and leadership.”

“Implementing a ‘Youth Week’ into the county was an important step towards empowering today’s youth, they are the next generation of leaders,” said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. “The program allows youth to realize their potential in the workforce.”

A number of youth job fairs will be held across the county throughout the week, and Youth Week will conclude on Saturday, May 21 with a day of service clean up, during which young people will be invited to help clean up their communities by identifying an area in need of cleaning within their legislative district. To determine your legislative district and to contact your legislator, please visit https://scnylegislature.us.

The awards will recognize young people from across the county who have gone above and beyond in helping their community over the past year. Suffolk County youth who performed extraordinary community service will be honored in a virtual award presentation.

Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area

471 Atlantic Ave., Bellport

2pm-5pm

Dominican Village – Helen Butler Hall

565 Albany Ave., Amityville

2pm-5pm

Riverhead High School

700 Harrison Ave., Riverhead

12pm-3pm

Walt Whitman High School, South Gym

301 W Hills Rd., Huntington Station

2pm-5pm

Brentwood High School Ross Center

2 6th Ave., Brentwood

2pm-5pm

Central Islip High School

85 Wheeler Rd., Central Islip

2pm-5pm

Wyandanch Memorial High School

54 S 32nd St., Wyandanch

2pm-5pm

Gordon Heights Fire District

23 Hawkins Ave., Medford

2pm-5pm

Young people and youth groups are invited to help clean up their communities. To learn about events in your area, contact your local legislator’s office. Visit https://scnylegislature.us to find the contact information for your legislative office.

For any inquiries, contact Charvon Davis-Pierce at 631-854-1111 or Charvon.Pierce@suffolkcountyny.gov.