PAST, PRESENT,
& FUTURE
52 YEARS OF SERVICE.
The Town Shop was created on March 7, 1971, as a drop-in center and prevention program for teenagers in Camillus, NY. When problem areas within the teen population began to arise in the late ’60s, adults began to ask themselves: “what is going wrong? ” Teens answered: “There was nowhere to go, nothing to do.”
Our founders were invited to interview for a youth development position with the Town of Camillus in 1971. They were surprised to find the building brimming with teenagers when they arrived – each with an equal say in who would lead the new program into the future. David and Cheryl Vermilya ran the program as a husband & wife duo for several decades, and their beaming adoration for the Town Shop, their participants, and eachother created a legacy that has transcended every expectation. The Town Shop has consistently provided local youth a place in their community with access to guidance, peer support, and a judgment-free atmosphere.
WHAT WE PROVIDE.
The Town Shop offers a large recreational area on the first floor for games, including an antique pool table, as well as resource materials and areas for studying on the second floor. The Town Shop also has a kitchen, TV room, art gallery, computer room, and a large “Great Room” with a small stage. The Town Shop allows the use of several quality guitars, as well as athletic and recreational equipment such as canoes, tents, kayaks, snowshoes, and cross-country skis.
OUR PROGRAMMING.
The Town Shop offers a wide range of programming, including daily drop-in building hours, weekly community service opportunities, adventures in nature including hiking, kayaking, camping, and opportunities for young people to be creative and express themselves, including open mic nights, Karaoke Nights, Art Workshops, Poetry Workshops, and live performance opportunities. In addition to local activities, the Town Shop also provides opportunities for youth to participate in various overnight trips, including music and culture festivals, New York City / Woodstock, and Cape Cod.
Our program also invests heavily in skill-building, job readiness, and individual work opportunities for young people to build resumes and grow their abilities in work settings. We offer college visits for groups to see regional private and public universities and trade school options such as OCM BOCES.