2008 Position Statement
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Operation Restoration 2008 Position Statement |
Operation Restoration
MISSION
The mission of the Board of Directors of Glory Hill is to restore and oversee the use of a local property, Glory Hill, for the benefit of our youth and our local community of Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler Counties. The Board of Directors has established a program, Operation Restoration, to facilitate their mission by securing the necessary funding and supplies through community involvement and outreach, volunteerism, fundraising, donations and sponsorships.
The objective of restoring Glory Hill is to provide a unique site for local non-profit youth organizations to further their goals and enjoy outdoor activities and the surrounding woodland beauty. Glory Hill will be open for use by non-profit youth organizations whose purpose is to offer support, enrichment and guidance to children and adolescents to become independent, empowered adults who can positively contribute to our community.
The Glory Hill Youth Community has set a mission to provide local children and teens with a safe and caring, community-oriented place to come together where positive, constructive and respectful behaviors are championed. Glory Hill Youth Community will strive to provide our community youth with a haven to find a friend, supportive guidance and a sense of belonging to a prolific, nurturing establishment. Glory Hill Youth Community aims to establish and cultivate an environment where our youth can find fellowship and guidance to become productive adults who can, in turn, impact our community with meaningful contributions and further promote positive behavior right here in the Southern Tier of New York.
PROPERTY HISTORY
Glory Hill is a 112-acre property that has been historically used for non-profit youth organizations as donated and designated by Sayre Wells Woods. Groups who have used the property in the past include the former Elmira Neighborhood House (now the Ernie Davis Community Center) and local troops of the Boy Scouts of America. The property is a vast natural resource for outdoor activities and nature studies. The property includes a large building that was previously used as the headquarters, with a large full-service kitchen and several thousand square feet of space for activities. There is an additional large building that was used for storing equipment. The large backfield behind the headquarters included firepots and picnic tables, camping areas, a baseball field and several acres for other activities. At the far end of the backfield was a bathhouse with fully functioning plumbing providing toilets, sinks, showers and lockers. This was located near the dam on the creek which provided a large swimming area. Beyond the creek is the vast hillside with hiking trails. At one time, there were secluded cabins on the hill for camping.
Usage of the property declined over the years, particularly after the Flood of 1972. Because the property was primarily vacant, many of the amenities that the property once provided were destroyed by vandalism.
CURRENT POSITION
Members of the New Hope Baptist Church originally pursued obtaining the deed to accommodate the activities of their expanding youth organization. Several members of the church are also members of the immediate community surrounding Glory Hill. As such, there is also a personal tie driving the hope to restore the property.
Upon securing the deed to the property, members of the church appointed a separate Board of Directors to oversee the property. The Board of Directors has expanded the scope of the property's use to include non-profit youth organizations in Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler Counties. If successful, there is a potential to open the scope further to include other counties, including counties in nearby Pennsylvania. This would be considered on a case-by-case basis should requests from organizations outside the local three counties be received. Targeted populations will be members of non-profit youth organizations who foster positive behavior and potentially youth populations served by social services agencies and programs. Plans are being developed to allow handicapped access.
Funding and supplies to date have been obtained primarily through private donations from church members, local businesses and community members in addition to fundraising efforts.
It is important to note that while the church holds the deed to the land, the program and property will be administered separately by its own Board of Directors. As such, the program is non-denominational and does not discriminate or align itself to one "religion" - its mission is based on respectful, socially productive guidelines and fellowship. Glory Hill will be open to non-profit youth organizations regardless of their religious affiliation.
2008 PLAN
Members of the Board of the Directors have developed a list of short term and long term tasks that will need to be completed to restore the property to a usable state. The main project for 2008 will be building a pavilion on a concrete slab measuring 40 feet x 48 feet. The pavilion will be key to provide a sheltered area for gatherings while restoration of the main buildings is completed. Plans for the pavilion have been completed, and building is anticipated to begin in mid-June with completion planned for mid-July.
Other tasks will include clearing the field of overgrowth, restoring electrical service to the property and establishing restroom facilities. Some of these activities have begun and will continue to run concurrent with the building of the pavilion.
Once the pavilion is established, a Grand Opening is scheduled in August 2008 with an outdoor celebration and picnic at the pavilion, open to the entire community, and supported mostly by volunteers and through donations of supplies. We have a commitment from one band (volunteer) and are in the process of recruiting additional entertainment suitable for all ages. There will be sports and many activities planned for children and teens as well as a dedication ceremony.
ANNOUNCEMENT AND ADVERTISING
Announcement to the community has begun and will continue through advertising, flyers, and networking with family, friends and other youth groups. There are plans for targeted outreach to other community service agencies to increase an awareness of the property and its use for youth organizations. The Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church has confirmed an interest with Garth Wade of the Elmira Star Gazette to produce an article in the local newspaper focused on the restoration efforts and community benefits of Glory Hill. Website hosting and related management was donated to further expose the program. Please visit our sponsored website at www.gloryhill.org.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
There is substantial support from the surrounding community to restore this beautiful natural resource and put it to use to benefit our local youth. Owners of immediate neighboring properties have been engaged and express keen interest in the restoration to enjoy the natural environment and to deter further vandalism in the area. Funding and supplies have been obtained through private donations from church members, local businesses and community members. The Army Corps of Engineers has expressed an interest in restoring the vehicle bridge over the creek and securing the dam for the swimming area. The Town of Catlin, where the property is located, has approved our proposal in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Boy Scouts have maintained an interest in using the property again when amenities are available, and we anticipate expanding this interest to other organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, Cooperative Extension programs such as 4H as well as organizations focused on the study/observance of natural resources. Several businesses in the local area have responded to our mailings with interest in supporting our program.
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
Success of Operation Restoration will be measured primarily by the amount of restoration actually completed to the amount required. This will obviously impact the operation of Glory Hill whose success will be measured initially by the utilization of the property as well as the number of youth organizations participating. Response rates to mailings will be tracked, and feedback from participating youth organizations will be captured and responsive action will be assessed and initiated by the Board of Directors. Other applicable key indicators will be developed as Glory Hill evolves.