This summer, kids played Jenga and enjoyed socializing outside at The Place. The Place is located at 22 East Main Street and offers programs to support Chenango County youth and families. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The Place, located at 22 E. Main St., continues to provide programs and support for Chenango County youth and families, helping them realize their full potential as responsible, contributing members of society.

Also known as the Christian Neighborhood Center of Norwich, The Place is a fully licensed youth service and operates a school-age childcare center with a capacity for 75 children.

Additional programs include Destructive Adolescent Behavior parenting classes, Drop-ins, Why Try, Social Care Navigation, Family Connections, and kids before- and after-school programming.

“We have a 10-week parenting program running now, called Destructive Adolescent Behavior, and are about halfway through, ending in September,” said Sharon Vesely, executive director for The Place.

“We run multiple parenting programs and alternate the classes. We’ll be offering Loving Solutions in mid-October or early November. That class is for children ages seven to 11.”

She noted it is another 10-week program, after which they will offer another session of Destructive Adolescent Behavior.

“Every 10 weeks we offer parenting classes for Chenango County residents,” Vesely said. “The classes are free and held in the evening with a meal provided.”

She said the programs empower families and offer parents techniques and strategies for balancing behaviors, depending on the child.

Vesely also mentioned that during the summer they offer programs for school-age children ages five to 12.

The Place coordinators shared details about additional programs offered.

KIDS Program Coordinator Maggie Meza said they offer before- and after-school care throughout the school year for children ages five to 12.

  She said they also provide full-day programming for most holidays and snow days. Every day after school, time is blocked off for homework.

Outside of the curriculum, they collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chenango County 4-H, and others to provide additional activities and projects.

“Overall, our mission is to maintain a space with a rewarding environment for the children,” Meza said.

Although Meza would not share the exact cost of the programming, she said the full-day program and before- and after-school care are in line with the market rate issued by the state for Chenango County.

“We can also provide financial aid assistance,” she said. “Our first day is Sept. 8, and we already have some spaces signed up for and still have openings available.

Another offering is “Why Try,” a youth resiliency class designed to strengthen the family unit.

Lizzy Hathaway, EPIC teen program coordinator, said another program offered is Dungeons & Dragons, available at both the Norwich and Bainbridge locations.

She said over the summer, they provide a place for teens ages 12 through 19 to hang out, socialize, have fun, and enjoy a meal.

Hathaway noted that on Sept. 3, The Place is hosting Bingo in Bainbridge from 2 to 4 p.m. and in Norwich from 5 to 7 p.m.

She explained that teen drop-ins occur on non-school days, while after-school programs take place in both locations. Norwich drop-ins take place Mondays and Thursdays, and Bainbridge drop-ins run Tuesdays and Fridays.

“Life skills are a focus during drop-ins and include cleaning, cooking, budgeting funds, how to change a tire, laundry, and more,” she added. “Usually, we have about ten to 15 youth in attendance.”

Vesely said, “Socialization is a huge part of what we do, and socializing is definitely a life skill.”

 

The Place also has a Youth Advisory Council consisting of five teens who meet once a month. Hathaway noted that the teens are compensated for their time with gift cards.

  “Right now, the focus is on those without homes,” she said. “Our mission is to help the homeless, and we want to make homeless kits with needed items, some of which are donated.”

  She said they are reviewing how the council functions and considering various ways to get out into the community.

  The Place Care Coordinator for Social Care Navigation Jasmynn Abrams said she helps Medicaid members with housing, transportation, and nutrition, specifically aiding certain populations.

She explained that this population includes individuals with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or those who are pregnant or postpartum and more.

“We help with boxed food deliveries to their homes, food vouchers that can be used at stores, housing assistance for up to six months, and bus vouchers for transportation,” she said. “An entire family can be screened for the program.”

Alexa Bates, family support specialist for Family Connections, shared details on the system supporting foster care families.

“It’s a new, growing program that strives to provide neutral, strength-based family support by fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful environment,” Bates said.

 

She explained that services include parent education and visitations that focus on strengthening family relations, promoting positive parenting skills, and supporting healthy family connections.

  Vesely added that this program offers services, including a pre-visit session to help with developmental activities and meet with the family to discuss techniques useful to the session. They also provide any other resources the family might need.

  “The mission is to strengthen the family, build confident parenting skills, and provide opportunities to the parents that may be new to them and bring new strategies to strengthen the family,” she said. “When you have strong families, you then will have a strong community.”

Vesely also noted 2026 has been a busy year, and with the new day care facility almost finished, they look forward to its opening in 2027.

The Early Learning Center, located at 19 E. Main St. in Norwich, operates under the umbrella of The Place and is in its final construction stages. 

“We’re hoping by the first part of 2027 we will be up and running,” she said. “We look to have the program licensed for 50 children under the age of three.”

The organization’s ongoing impact was recently recognized when Commerce Chenango honored The Place with the Commitment to Community Award at its annual awards gala.

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

Having operated in the county for more than 40 years, The Place serves an average of 1,100 youth per year across a footprint stretching from Earlville to Bainbridge. 

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

Founded in 1983 as a 501(c)(3) organization, The Place has served youth and young adults through an established continuum of research-based programs designed to prepare them for college, careers, and citizenship.

For more information on The Place, visit theplacenorwich.com or search for The Place on Facebook.