The North Shore Youth Council may not have had as strong a presence in Miller Place as it would have liked the past year or so, but that didn't stop kids and teens in the community from getting involved.

At Wednesday's Miller Place Board of Education meeting, 36 student volunteers were honored for their service with the NYSC's Buddy Program. Due to construction in the district, the not-for-profit agency was unable to operate directly out of Miller Place. Now its looking to reaffirm it's ground in the community.

"Tonight I’m really saying thank you to these young people that volunteered in the last two years from Miller Place, about 100 recreational kids," NSYC Director Janene Gentile said. "Miller Place is a little slow right now...but we’re hoping to get the space back, which was closed because of construction last year. I’m not asking for funding, just, let’s do the program again."

The volunteers in the Buddy Program shared five weeks of their Summer vacation with the NSYC, and the council is always looking for more volunteers.

"We’re really just trying to heighten the awareness," Gentile said. "Let's restore all of the services, we can provide this, we can help them if they come in a creative manner with some of their other services, arts music and so on"

The NSYC is celebrating 30 years in the community and Gentile is coming up on 20 years as the director of the program, which covers a 20-mile corridor in the community. They provide drug and alcohol counseling, mentoring programs, and job opportunities for youth.

"It's a wonderful way for a child to help build their college resume," Gentile said. "We need every avenue we can."