Genesee County Youth Lead Program

Press Release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is now accepting applications for Genesee Youth Lead. This eight-month program focuses on developing leadership skills through thoughtful sessions and hands-on experiences. Each session is focused on a specific topic, which varies year to year depending on the interest of the youth.

Topics include:

• Agriculture
• Arts and Culture
• Business
• Community Service
• Emergency Preparedness
• Government
• Health and Human Services
• Job Readiness Training
• Law Enforcement
• Leadership Opportunities
• Team Building
• Tourism

The Youth Lead program begins in October 2025 and ends in May 2026. Sessions are held the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at GVEP (BOCES), except for in March. Session dates are October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 16, April 8, and May 13.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic school year
• Must attend school in Genesee County
• Must complete an application, provide supplemental letters, and complete an interview with Youth Bureau staff
• Must be able to make up any and all missed schoolwork

Applications are due to the Youth Bureau no later than Wednesday, September 1. Please email completed applications and letters to Genesee.youthbureau@dfa.state.ny.us or mail documents to Genesee County Youth Bureau, 5130 East Main Street Batavia.

Additional information can be found at https://shorturl.at/DLLnA. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments.

Press Release:

Eight local students graduated on Wednesday, May 14, from the Genesee County Youth Bureau’s Youth Lead Program. This eight-month-long program focuses on developing leadership skills through hands-on experiences. 

Congratulations to the following Genesee County Youth for completing the program:

• Elle Bentley, a Freshman from Elba
• Preslee Blecha, a Freshman from Alexander
• Jenavieve Gang, a Freshman from Oakfield-Alabama
• Lyla Jones, a Freshman from Le Roy
• Kennedy Lear, a Freshman from Alexander
• Lucia Longoria, a Sophomore from Elba
• Zachary Thorne, a Freshman from Alexander
• Carolyn Wujcik, a Freshman from Le Roy

These eight students met monthly to learn more about their community, how to be leaders, and the needs and challenges found in Genesee County. 

Areas of topic this year included Leadership, Business, Community Service, Criminal Justice, Arts & Culture, and Health & Emergency Preparedness. A few highlights of this year included a tour of The Chamber of Commerce, creating holiday cards for the elderly in Genesee County, a tour of the new Genesee County Jail, a history of Jamaican Culture by Jackie Swaby at GOART!, and a fire extinguisher demonstration by Gary Patnode of Genesee County Office of Emergency Management. 

Congratulations to these future leaders!

Applications for Youth Lead are open for the 2025-2026 school year. Interested Genesee County high school students, grades 9-12, are encouraged to apply. Applications are due September 1, 2025. For additional information or to apply, visit https://shorturl.at/t6qPr.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year. 

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1.

The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands on experience.  Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.

The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month except for March due to a leadership event planned.

The program dates are: Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 19, April 10, and May 8.

Youth that complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.

The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.

The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Applications for the program can be found at https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/youthbureau/genesee_youth_lead.php

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585)344-3960 or at youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 3.

The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands on experience. Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.

The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 13, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month. Students will take the BOCES bus from their school to attend the program.

The program dates are: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11.

Youth that complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.

The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.

The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Applications for the program can be found at https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/youthbureau/genesee_youth_lead.php

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585) 344-3960 or at youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 3.

The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands-on experience.  Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.

The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month except for November due to the holiday.

The program dates are: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11.

Youths who complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.

The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.

The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Applications for the program can be found here. 

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585)344-3960 or at:   youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.