GENESEO, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2024 — Today, children from across the county joined their parents, grandparents and guardians to attend Livingston County’s Bring Your Child to Work Day event. The day gave kids a first-hand look into what exactly their loved ones do each weekday after leaving the house and the direct impact their county government work has on the local community.
On both campuses, the event began with breakfast treats for the young attendees, followed by a welcome announcement from County Administrator Ian M. Coyle. He explained how county government works and illustrated how the dedicated public service of the young guests’ parents and guardians contributes to its smooth operation. Coyle highlighted the various services provided by the county, such as 911 emergency response, dog control, and workforce development, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the county’s 31 departments and approximately 1,200 employees.
Livingston County Training and Professional Development Coordinator Kelly Greenway planned and organized the all-day event, which took place at both the county’s Government Center in Geneseo and its Murray Hill Campus in Mount Morris. By engaging kids in hands-on activities and informative sessions, Greenway aimed to inspire potential future public servants and promote a greater appreciation for the role their parents perform each day.
“I hope our young guests were able to walk away impressed by all the great work their parents do here for Livingston County and its residents,” she said. “Our goal was to have them learn something about county government, what it does, and maybe even spark an interest in a future career.”
Following the administrator’s introduction at the Government Center, Deputy Michael Anne from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office discussed the importance of Child ID Kits and offered parents and guardians the opportunity to create these kits for their children throughout the morning. The kids and their county employee then took part in a photoshoot to commemorate the special day. Next up, the children participated in a scavenger hunt which brought them into several different departments for an up-close look at county government in action.
Brenelle Martin, Employment and Training Counselor with Workforce Development, brought her two daughters, Norah (age 5) and Lucy (age 8), to experience the day.
“I think this is great,” said Martin. “I’ve been working for the county over 12 years and it’s just really nice to be here with my daughters today. Every office has a positive atmosphere. It’s a wonderful place to work.”
Her daughter Nora added, “I was very excited to come here. My mommy gets people to go to work. I got to see her office.”
Over on the County’s Murray Hill Campus, the kids also received a walking tour of the 138-acre grounds hosted by County Historian Holly Watson and Records Inventory Supervisor Megan Sokolow. They discussed the history of each building and gave a brief explanation of the work the kids’ parents are performing there now. The group then made their way into the county-owned Al Lorenz Park for a nature walk and the opportunity to play lawn games provided by the Central Services department.
Veteran Services Director David Terry had his two daughters, Jenna (age 11) and Sophie (age 9), in tow for the day on Murray Hill.
“They learned a lot about the county and what we do,” said Terry. “They really liked the hands-on parts like scanning documents and pulling out old maps over at the Historian’s office. It was just a great collaboration seeing what all the different departments do and working together with everyone to make the event possible.”
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.