The Place in Norwich will be awarded the Commitment to Community Award by Commerce Chenango. This award is presented annually to groups improving the quality of life in Chenango County. (Photos by Sophia Root)

By Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

NORWICH - Commerce Chenango is proud to recognize The Christian Neighborhood Center of Norwich, Inc., doing business as The Place, with the Commitment to Community Award at the Annual Commerce Chenango Awards Gala.

This award is presented annually to a member whose mission and work visibly improve the quality of life in Chenango County.

The Place has operated in Chenango County for more than 40 years, serving an average of 1,100 youth per year across a footprint that stretches from Earlville to Bainbridge.

Its origins trace back to the early 1980s, when Reverend Scott Kavanaugh of the First Baptist Church began welcoming teenagers who gathered on the courthouse steps into his church.

The First Baptist Church, United Church of Christ, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and Broad Street Methodist Church later combined resources to purchase the building the organization occupies today. This multi-denominational foundation established a model of collaboration the organization continues to build on.

In 2025, The Place fostered 77 individual partnerships with local organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, 4H, SUNY Morrisville, the Chenango County Historical Society, Visions Federal Credit Union, GHS Credit Union, and the Earlville Opera House, among others.

Executive Director Sharon Vesley describes collaboration as central to the organization's identity.

She said, "We are connected to many businesses and agencies in the community to provide resources for youth and families. Collaboration is our foundation."

The Place adapts its programming in direct response to observed community needs in addition to offering fixed program structures. Notable examples include a multi-year, countywide free bike helmet initiative, the distribution of hundreds of activity bags during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an annual school supply drive.

The organization also maintains records of its full history through scrapbooks and yearbooks spanning more than four decades of operation.

Kids Program Coordinator Maggie Meza has been with The Place since late 2018. While reflecting on the role The Place plays in the community, she remembers the meaningful work they did during Covid-19.

Meza said, “It meant a lot that families trusted us during that uncertain time. When families were separated, they found a village here.” Meza continues, “We show up to celebrate good moments, like trick or treating, but also offer support during hard times, helping families navigate personal issues, providing resources and making sure they’re heard.”

Another program offered by The Place is the EPIC Teen Program (Empower, Prepare, Inspire, and Connect). Operating in Norwich and Bainbridge, this programing provides after-school activities for teenagers. Participants have access to CPR, First Aid, and Babysitting certifications, introductory business skills, and practical life skills including cooking, time management, and emotional coping strategies. Teen Program Coordinator, Lizzy Hathaway, notes that EPIC programming is shaped by participant interest, and the teens often choose what they would like to learn.

Hathaway recalls a teen who wanted to learn about preparing and filing taxes, so she made that the activity of the day. Hathaway ensures the teen program is integrated in the community, through activities like Story Path Walks and community kindness art projects. The EPIC program also offers support and resources for parents.

The Youth Philanthropy Council, originally launched by the United Way, now operates through The Place with chapters in three Chenango County school districts and 50 student participants.

High schoolers fulfill 15 volunteer hours annually, research local nonprofits, conduct their own fundraisers, and award grants to organizations through a Request for Proposals process.

Earlier this month, the council held its annual award night, distributing funds to five local organizations. The council also hosts the annual Nonprofit Showcase, which connects students with nonprofits across the county.

Youth Philanthropy Council Coordinator, Anna Natoli, brings more than 30 years of experience in education to her role. Natoli oversees the Summer Youth Employment Program as well, which places teens in local businesses for four weeks during the summer, five hours per day, with the goal of building professional skills and community connection.

Natoli said, “This connects them to the community and teaches them invaluable lessons like respect and hard work. It is also crucial for these businesses and our community to see these kids in a new light.”

The Place is currently developing The Beginning Place, an early learning center for children aged six weeks to three years, responding to feedback from local businesses about a gap in programming for young children.

Vesley said, "You can't strengthen a community without empowering youth and strengthening families.”

The Beginning Place, located in the center of Norwich, is currently under construction.

New to The Place is the Social Care Navigation Program, which connects families to resources addressing barriers in transportation, housing, and nutrition.

The program is reimbursed through New York's 1115 Medicaid Waiver, making it one of the few revenue-generating programs at an organization that offers most of its services at no cost. Care Coordinator Abrams is new to the organization and was crucial in the development of this program. Abrams also leads the Family Connections program; a supervised visitation initiative operated in partnership with the Department of Social Services.

Each visit includes an activity planning session, a parent-child visit, and a reflection discussion with Place staff.

While The Place has historically been perceived as serving primarily lower-income families, its programs are available regardless of socioeconomic status. Vesley claims that the founders’ vision for The Place was to be somewhere where every youth can hang their hat.

Vesley is proud of the relationships built within the organization, as it is the foundation of its community impact. The Place is aiming to expand their reach and serve 100,000 more individuals over the next 30 years, continuing the intergenerational presence the organization has maintained since its founding.

If you would like to celebrate The Place as our Commitment to Community winner, please join us at our Annual Gala at the Canasawacta Country Club on Thursday, June 18th at 5 p.m. Registration can be found online at the events calendar on www.commercechenango.com.