It is always a special occasion when a new Boys & Girls Club is dedicated in any community, because of the beacon of hope and opportunity it provides to families and youth who need us most. It is also a symbol of the transformational power of our Movement and the profound impact Clubs have on the lives of young people.
Last week was no different as a brand-new, 26,000-square-foot site was dedicated in Yankton, South Dakota (population 15,000). Thanks to a significant partnership established in recent years with the local school district, the Club is attached to a middle school. What made this dedication extra special, however, is the fact that Yankton has a reputation as a “town of no,” where residents have rejected efforts to develop enhanced infrastructure, support systems and NGO projects. It took a real community effort, including significant donors, public partners, and investments from the state, city and school district to make this new Club a reality. Its existence is a testament to the leadership role that Clubs have in bringing communities together to provide great futures for young people.
The site will serve hundreds of youth every day, boosting average daily attendance. It also features a stunning new Teen Center to attract, retain and grow teen membership. South Dakota’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, members of congress and state elected officials, as well as 500 other attendees, were on hand for the
CEO Vanessa Merhib and I discussed my new role. dedication, demonstrating the tremendous power of advocacy, brand and impact. Of course, there was some good ole’ fun as well, with the Club creating jobs for all of us – mine was bathroom monitor for the day!
Congratulations to CEO Vanessa Merhib, her entire staff and board, and the very special Ness family (Larry, Diane and Rob), who made this dream come true.
Onto Sioux Falls
The trek through South Dakota continued with a community town hall meeting in Sioux Falls with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, led by Rebecca Wimmer and board chair Jeff Jones. Sioux Falls is a bustling community, and the Boys & Girls Club is at the heart of the support system for youth and families there. Over the last few years, site improvements and outdoor enhancements have been key to the Club’s success in growing ADA, teen membership and overall membership. A meeting with key leaders in the community focused on the challenges and rapid deployment solutions to those challenges that Rebecca and the Club will lead to assist the community.
Final Stop, Pierre

Club member Morgan Eckert gave me an excellent tour of the Pierre Club, which included meeting these younger kids engaged in a computer lab lesson. My visit to the Mount Rushmore state concluded with an afternoon and evening in the state capital, Pierre. Nearly 200 people joined Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area leadership for an inspirational reception and stakeholder support meeting. The highlights of the evening were our youth emcees Mackenzie Sarratt, Natasha McAlpine and Bella Pickner. We also heard from Pierre Boys & Girls Club alum and software entrepreneur Matt Smart, who spoke about how his Club Experience made him the person he is today.
We also heard a terrific progress report on a $500,000 challenge match endowment gift. The donor talked about his experience as an immigrant, and what America means to him, as well as the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Board Chair Tad Perry and Executive Director Becky Spoehr have their sights set on serving more youth at more locations and, eventually, constructing a new building to meet the tremendous need in the community.
Great things are happening on the Great Plains, and great futures are being created for many kids and teens. It could not have been a more special two days.
Last week was no different as a brand-new, 26,000-square-foot site was dedicated in Yankton, South Dakota (population 15,000). Thanks to a significant partnership established in recent years with the local school district, the Club is attached to a middle school. What made this dedication extra special, however, is the fact that Yankton has a reputation as a “town of no,” where residents have rejected efforts to develop enhanced infrastructure, support systems and NGO projects. It took a real community effort, including significant donors, public partners, and investments from the state, city and school district to make this new Club a reality. Its existence is a testament to the leadership role that Clubs have in bringing communities together to provide great futures for young people.
The site will serve hundreds of youth every day, boosting average daily attendance. It also features a stunning new Teen Center to attract, retain and grow teen membership. South Dakota’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, members of congress and state elected officials, as well as 500 other attendees, were on hand for the

Congratulations to CEO Vanessa Merhib, her entire staff and board, and the very special Ness family (Larry, Diane and Rob), who made this dream come true.
Onto Sioux Falls
The trek through South Dakota continued with a community town hall meeting in Sioux Falls with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, led by Rebecca Wimmer and board chair Jeff Jones. Sioux Falls is a bustling community, and the Boys & Girls Club is at the heart of the support system for youth and families there. Over the last few years, site improvements and outdoor enhancements have been key to the Club’s success in growing ADA, teen membership and overall membership. A meeting with key leaders in the community focused on the challenges and rapid deployment solutions to those challenges that Rebecca and the Club will lead to assist the community.
Final Stop, Pierre

We also heard a terrific progress report on a $500,000 challenge match endowment gift. The donor talked about his experience as an immigrant, and what America means to him, as well as the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Board Chair Tad Perry and Executive Director Becky Spoehr have their sights set on serving more youth at more locations and, eventually, constructing a new building to meet the tremendous need in the community.
Great things are happening on the Great Plains, and great futures are being created for many kids and teens. It could not have been a more special two days.