Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country
Pre-Conference Workshop
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, Club professionals and board members attended the Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country Pre-Conference Workshop the day before the start of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 105th Annual National Conference in New Orleans, LA. The attendees came to the workshop seeking information on current and future funding opportunities and the chance to network with other Native American Boys & Girls Clubs.
The workshop began with funding updates and announcements by FirstPic, Inc. Current projects that were highlighted during the presentation included T.R.A.I.L., the National Native American Mentoring Program, OJP and TYM Funding, and AmeriCorps VISTA. During this portion of the presentation the Clubs were also informed about various partnership opportunities. There are opportunities for Clubs to partner with USDA’s Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Office of Native American Programs.
Linda Wiltse, Vice President, Program & Youth Development Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of America gave a presentation on the Formula for Impact Training and Leadership University’s “Mentoring at Boys & Girls Clubs” Course. Included in her presentation was a segment on culturally-based tribal mentoring programs. This segment outlined the benefits for culturally-based mentoring and the advantages it can bring to the Club environment. She also discussed the steps Clubs should take in organizing a mentoring program, included topics ranging from the application process to retaining mentors. Ms. Wiltse also provided examples of BGCA programs with mentoring components.
FirstPic, Inc. informed the Clubs about the possibility to receive NAHASDA funding through their tribe’s housing authority. NAHASDA stands for Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996. The NAHASDA funds can be used for youth programming and the construction of new community facilities. An example of a successful NAHASDA partnership is the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Dine Nation who partnered with their housing authority and are now able to build three new Boys & Girls Clubs on the reservation with the $19.5 million they received in NAHASDA funds.
The last presentation was also given by FirstPic, Inc. about Project Learn and its requirements. To supplement this portion of the workshop the Clubs broke into small groups to discuss culturally-based mentoring activities and adaptation. The Clubs got the opportunity to hear how other Clubs are implementing these programs and share their thoughts and ideas on how the programs can be improved and made more relevant in their communities.
The participants left the workshop with new information to share with their Clubs and communities. 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.
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