Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Club leaders gathered in Orlando, FL this May for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 101st Annual Conference and Native American Workshop. Over 70 Club professionals enjoyed an array of talented speakers in the Honoring our Past, Protecting our Future workshop. Ron Gurley, Chairman of the Native American National Advisory Committee and Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Green Country emceed the event. Eugenia Tyner-Dawson, from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs was the first speaker. Ms. Tyner-Dawson brought greetings from Assistant Attorney General Regina Schofield and made an exciting announcement about OJP funding for Clubs on Native American Lands and in Public Housing. She also shared program opportunities for Native American communities and invited all Club professionals and their tribes to become involved. The Tribal Justice and Safety website contains information about the myriad opportunities available through the Office of Justice Programs.

Special guest Rick Goings, Chairman of Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Governors followed with an inspiring message about the accomplishments of Native American Clubs and future steps to ensure sustainability on the local and national levels. Afterwards, Mark Piccirilli provided attendees with an overview of Federal Resources and Special Initiatives for Native Clubs.

Special Initiatives in Indian Country

Next, Club leaders from across the Nation addressed the group to share updates on several of the special initiatives taking place in Indian Country Clubs. Toni Sarcinella, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Toni Pace, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chickasaw Nation gave an eye-opening presentation of the methamphetamine epidemic that is taking place in many communities. They also provided an overview of the newly released MethSMART program.

Lamont Yazzie, Program Manager for the Navajo Nation updated Club leaders on the successes of the National Native American Mentoring Program. The program currently serves over 300 children of prisoners in 7 states and 11 Native communities. Mr. Yazzie was joined by Deborah Yatsko, Program Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who discussed the national scope of the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program and upcoming funding opportunities from the Department.

Carla Fearon and Anna Calkins, Unit Directors of the Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club and Lapwai Boys & Girls Club respectively, discussed the current status of the T.R.A.I.L. diabetes prevention program. T.R.A.I.L. is currently implemented in 40 Boys & Girls Clubs and has served over 4,500 youth since its inception in 2003.

Next, Johnny DiBartolo, Director of Teen Services for BGCA and Brian Yazzie, Director of Native American Services for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale discussed attracting teens to Native Clubs through financial education. They specifically talked about the Money Matters Program. Joanna Donohoe of First Nations Oweesta Corporation also participated in this discussion. Oweesta provides a variety of resources to Native communities including training and technical assistance on personal financial management and investing, train-the-trainer events, and how to develop Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). Ms. Donohoe urged Native Clubs to follow the example of Salt River by partnering with the Tribe and Native CDFIs to bring needed financial education to the community as a whole.

A Fitting Conclusion

Glenn Permuy, Sr. Vice President of Services to Clubs joined Mark Piccirilli and Ron Gurley for a Town Hall meeting. Participants were encouraged to ask questions of these national leaders and provide suggestions for the future of Native Clubs.

To close the day, Marcus Guinn of Kauffman & Associates gave a motivational presentation about the Parents Speak Up! National Campaign, supportedby the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage parents of tweens and teens to talk to their children about waiting to engage in sexual activity and increasing their child’s chances of reaching their goals and dreams.

This marked the conclusion of an action-packed workshop. Club leaders departed with a greater understanding of opportunities and successes. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference officially kicked off the following morning, providing Club leaders with further opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development.