DSS completes 6-week series of workshops for youth in Orleans County

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Department of Social Services: A speaker addresses a group of young people during a Lilypad workshop at Hoag Library in Albion.

Press Release, Orleans County DSS

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services completed its first series of workshops for its Lilypad program through NYS Safe Harbour.

The Lilypad is a crisis intervention program. It is designed to provide a safe place for youth to gather over the course of six-weeks to educate, and address immediate safety issues, while developing life skills to reduce the risk of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

Lilypad speakers included Homeland Security, Love146, the Laughing Survivor, Orleans County Digital Literacy, Orleans County Mental Health, Job Development, BOCES and D’Youville College.

The program was a huge success with up to 50 individuals in attendance each week. Individuals that participated in the spring session of the Lilypad had the opportunity to win raffle prizes including, but not limited to, a kayak, a trip to Outward Bound, and an Into the Enigma gift certificate. All participants received survival backpacks.

The Lilypad will begin another six-week workshop starting in late September. Please contact Sharon Nenni at Sharon.Nenni@orleanscountyny.gov or 585-589-3136 for information.