On June 29th, members of the Lake Vermilion Indian Reservation saw the highly anticipated opening of a brand new Boys & Girls Club facility! Youth, parents, community members and staff were present to enjoy the day and welcome the newest addition to their community.
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The Boys & Girls Club of Duluth has been operating a Club on the Lake Vermilion Indian Reservation since November 2004. Since then, every child of membership age on the reservation has signed up to be a member. Before the Boys & Girls Club, kids were lacking positive, consistent activities. Raini Boshey, Keystone President, Junior Staff and Mentor, states, “…one day a staff member asked to me get involved in some activities with the kids. I thought, Hey! I like this. So I began attending more and more often getting involved in various programs until I was asked to be the Keystone President. I felt wanted and important and I know what I do makes a difference.“
Before the new facility was built, Boys & Girls Club programming occurred in an old shed. The Club was bursting at the seams and programming was difficult. Recruitment efforts were postponed until the new Club was operational and more space would be provided. “We needed a space that reflected positively on the youth that we serve,” explains Todd Johnson, Chief Professional Officer. “We want our membership and programming to expand and reach out to every child that may need us.” Now, every child that needs the Club will be able to access the new, bigger, space. Programming that was once challenging in one large room is now excelling with several programs and activities occurring simultaneously. The kids have access to a variety of program spaces, including, a Learning Center, Arts Room, Cantina, Games Room and Gymnasium.
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