Summer Cohesion Celebrates 50 Years In 2024

[TTL News 308]

In 2024, Summer Cohesion will celebrate 50 years of recreational, educational, and cultural enrichment programming for youth and families in Chemung County according to a press release sent out last week. 

In 1972, Hurricane Agnes and the infamous flood wreaked widespread destruction throughout Chemung County. It also emphasized the critical need for our community to conduct collaborative program planning for summer youth programs to better meet the needs of our children and families.

The Elmira City School District, along with seven key partners: the United Way, the City of Elmira, the Town of Southport, ARC, the Jewish Community Center, YMCA, and YWCA, all came together to meet that need. In 1974, the program now known as Summer Cohesion was created.

From 1974 until 1976 Summer Cohesion was administered through the Elmira City School District. Summer Cohesion officially became a county program when it was placed under the newly formed Chemung County Youth Bureau in 1977.

Although a county-operated program, Summer Cohesion still maintains its collaborative community roots.

The Youth Bureau says they plan to have two celebratory events in the coming months, and they hope Cohesion parents, participants, and staff from the past,
present, and future join them to commemorate this milestone.