Glen Cove Youth Bureau Serves up Annual Thanksgiving Meal

Staff members at Glen Cove Youth Bureau were busier than usual on Friday as they prepared for their third annual Thanksgiving dinner.

The hard working ladies, executive director Arlene O'Dell, bookkeeper Amy Franklin, and program coordinator Sandra Potter laughed and chatted amongst themselves while they hurried to put the finishing touches on the turkey and sides before the children arrived.

The warmth in the room was much like that of a home, as the women and other staff members all pitched in to make the meal special for their thirty plus kids.

On the menu were the traditional Thanksgiving fixings: turkey, mashed potatoes, candied yams, corn bread, corn, peas, stuffing and homemade cherry apple and pumpkin pies, made especially by Ms. Potter.  

The purpose of the Youth Bureau is to promote positive youth development, helping youths to make healthy choices, said O'Dell, as she carved the nearly 22 pound turkey.

"It is a safe place for them to come and socialize with other kids," she said. 

The children, grades one through ten, made themselves at home playing ping pong, billiards, watching television and chatting amongst themselves, while they waited for dinner to be served.

Adults and kids alike interacted with ease and fondness towards each-other throughout the night. The sense of familiarity and home set the mood for a joyful and festive dinner.

Several children proudly announced the things they were most thankful for this year. While seven-year-old Gabrielle named her rabbit, ten-year-old Kevin V was especially grateful for his pet parrot, Bob. A brave and quite mature Kevin H, who at only ten-years-old, eloquently articulated how grateful he was to have the Youth Bureau and its staff available to him and other children in the neighborhood.

"I am thankful that I have a place to come and hang out with my friends and feel safe," Kevin said, not to mention the Wii, which seem to be a favorite among the children.

The meal was joined by councilman and Youth Bureau board member Tony Jimenez who encouraged the children to "remember what Thanksgiving means," and to "give thanks for the things that you have." Jimenez said how wonderful it was for him to see such "happy looking kids, looking forward to their meal and enjoying the center.

The Youth Bureau and its programs are funded by the city of Glen Cove, The Nassau County Youth Bureau, New York State Office of Children and Family Services and The department of Education.

Their programs are entirely free and is open to all youths in Glen Cove. Registration is required for some events. The center, located on Glen Street, is open six days a week, until 10 p.m. for drop off services.

All the hard work and efforts of the friendly and caring staff at the Glen Cove Youth Bureau paid off. The meal was a success and rated "very good" by most, if not all of the children. There was nothing but smiles and laughter around the table as the kids enjoyed their very special Thanksgiving meal.