Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Boys & Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles, Hayward, WI
December 2008-June 2009

By Heather Peterson, Unit Director

Images is a program designed for young ladies to help increase their self-esteem and self-worth. This year Jr. Images was a huge success! We started out with 15 “tweens” and finished with 12! Out of the three that did not make it to the end, two had other commitments at school such as after school sports or activities. Only one did not make it to the end because of failing grades.

This was our first year offering Images to a younger crowd of girls. They range in age from 12-15 years. They learn what their true “essence” is. We have girls from the school on the reservation and the public school. Sometimes these girls don’t always get along, mostly because they don’t know each other. By the end of the year they are all good friends. The program has really created lasting relationships between girls that might not ever have transpired.

We meet once a week as a group and are involved in a variety of activities inside and outside of the Club. The Images girls are required to earn points through community service, regular meetings, Club hours, fundraising, and personal growth activities. They learn to set a goal and how to work hard to achieve it. Usually the reward at the end of the year is a trip. The girls this year chose Chicago! Not only do the girls need to earn points to go, they also sign a contract that states they will not be involved in any sort of negative encounter with law enforcement, that they will maintain passing grades in all school subjects, and will refrain from alcohol and drugs.

While in Chicago we did all the “touristy” things that included Six Flags, shopping, Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago History Museum, Navy Pier, and no trip to Chicago would be complete without going to Sears Tower. We also stayed one night at Key Lime Cove thanks to Mr. Dave Anderson. The whole trip was awesome! For some of the girls it was their first time out of the state of Wisconsin. We have just started our next round of Jr. Images. We have 100% retention plus an extra five girls! We are hoping for an even more successful Year Two!