History
Founded in 1996, the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles (Hayward, WI) became one of the first Boys and Girls Clubs on a Native American Reservation. At the time, the Tribal Governing Board of Lac Courte Oreilles wanted a place for youth to go to be safe, learn new skills, enhance their education and life views, as well as just have fun.
Through the hard work and generosity of several individuals, that dream became a reality. The Club began with a Drug Elimination Grant through the Housing Authority and continues today with more diverse funding streams for the $600,000 budget to serve over 600+ youth each year.
Today, there are over 200 Clubs on Native American lands, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles is still going strong!
In 2006, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, through a CBG Grant and a Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Nation Grant, were able to fund a new facility for the Boys and Girls Club. Our gorgeous facility (complete with a full-size gym, program room, game room, computer room, teen center, and offices) is located just behind the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal School. Now, a safe, positive place is within walking distance for most of our kids right after school! Hayward Community School District also drops off students daily to the Clubs front doors!
Through the hard work and generosity of several individuals, that dream became a reality. The Club began with a Drug Elimination Grant through the Housing Authority and continues today with more diverse funding streams for the $600,000 budget to serve over 600+ youth each year.
Today, there are over 200 Clubs on Native American lands, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles is still going strong!
In 2006, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, through a CBG Grant and a Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Nation Grant, were able to fund a new facility for the Boys and Girls Club. Our gorgeous facility (complete with a full-size gym, program room, game room, computer room, teen center, and offices) is located just behind the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal School. Now, a safe, positive place is within walking distance for most of our kids right after school! Hayward Community School District also drops off students daily to the Clubs front doors!
Staff
The staff members of Boys and Girls Club are carefully chosen to provide good role modeling. Prior to hiring, all potential employees are background-checked nationally, as well as drug tested, with a yearly follow up. This helps us, to the best of our ability, provide youth with qualified mentors who also have the safety of the children as a priority. They come in with a clear vision of wanting to make a difference in the lives of our youth.
Heather Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
Heather began her Boys and Girls Club experience as a youth attending the Club. After graduating High School, she worked in different professional arenas before returning to the Club in 2003 as the Unit Director. In 2016, Heather became the Executive Director. She is responsible for all Club operations and works with her Board of Directors to create lasting impact for our youth through sustained resources and Club programming. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Shelley Gerich
Director of Operations
Shelley has been with the Club since the Club began operations in 1996! Her duties include all payroll and accounting functions; financial and quarterly progress reporting on all grant-funded initiatives; audit and accountant support; staff support; building operations support and operational support for meals and snacks through the Department of Public Instruction.
Nick Chase
Unit Director
Nick originally worked for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee where he was both a Sports and Fitness Coordinator and a Club Manager. He also has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is responsible for all Club program operations, special initiatives; management of all program staff; fulfillment of all grant funded programs with measurable outcomes; membership tracking and integrity of data; Club safety; Club presentation to the community
Bob Dykstra
Club Maintenance
Bob is originally from Minnesota. Bob has a biology degree from Dordt University. Bob moved to the area and started volunteering at the Club in 2001. In 2006 he stepped into the Youth Development Profession at the Water Tower Site. As a certified naturalist and an avid canoer, he enjoys exploring the wonders of the great outdoors with our young adventurers. As "Bob the Builder", he gets to help dream up, build up, and maintain a top notch facility for our Club, school, and community to fully utilize.
Danielle Benton
Art Coordinator
Danielle is from The Oneida Nation of the Thames in Ontario, Canada. She is Oneida, Delaware (Lenni Lenape), & Mohawk of the Turtle Clan. She is a mother of 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Danielle enjoys attending ceremonies and travelling to powwows throughout the year with her family. She dances Northern Traditional and has been dancing since she could walk. She enjoys beading and sewing for her family and friends. Danielle has worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles since 2018 as the Art Director. She loves working with the youth and has made some great friendships in these past 2 years.
Charisse Reed
Academic Coordinator
Charisse is from Hayward WI, and is a member of Oneida Nation. Charisse graduated from LCO College with a Associates of Liberal Arts, she is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree. Charisse started at the Club as a College Intern in 2016 and later became a Youth Development Professional and is now currently the Academic Coordinator. Charisse is responsible for running STEM Mentoring and Torch Club.
Damian Perry
Character and Leadership/Teen Coordinator
Damian is from Hayward WI, and is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Damian graduated from LCO College with a degree in Carpentry. Damian is a Club Alumni and a former youth staff member. Damian has worked at the Club as the Teen Coordinator since March of 2019. Damian's purpose for working at the Club is to help teens find their purpose and make sure they find the right path in life. Damian is responsible for running SMART Moves, Meth SMART, and Career Launch.
Deborah Hong
Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator
Deborah is from Leonia, New Jersey and has recently moved to Hayward, Wisconsin in June 2020. She has been coming to LCO annually since 2013 with the NJ Korean Culture Camp. In 2015, she received her Bachelors of Arts in Fine Art and minors in Psychology and General Science and in 2020, received her Masters of Arts in Counseling. She has experience in working in schools as a mental health counselor for students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Deborah specializes in collaborating and developing effective strategies for individuals, coaching, and program development. Deborah was the Head Volleyball Coach for Fashion Institute of Technology for 3 seasons, taking the program to the NJCAA DIII National Tournament, and received Coach of the Year for Region XV & District B during the 2019 season.
Patrick Schrock
Youth Development Professional
Patrick has lived in Hayward for all of his 24 years. He's currently attending LCO College for a liberal arts degree and would like to become a teacher in the future. He likes traveling, hiking, reading, eating, and hanging out with friends. He choose to work at the Boys and Girls Club because he likes working with kids and wants to pass on the good example other adults have given to him.
Dakota Young
Youth Development Professional
Dakota was born and raised in Hayward, WI. He is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. He's 20 years old. He grew up playing any sport he could get his hands on. In his free time he likes to attend local sporting events with friends and family. He enjoys working at the Boys and Girls Club because he knows how important and fun it was when he attended as a child.
Shaniah Kagigebi
Youth Development Professional
Shaniah was born in Hayward, WI. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She is 20 years old. Shaniah is attending the LCO College. After she graduates from LCO, she plans to go to school to become an Art Teacher. She likes to travel and attend concerts in her free time. Shaniah likes working at the Boys and Girls Club to be involved with the community and be a good role model for youth.
Melina Gil
Youth Development Professional
Melina was born in Modesto, CA. She is 20 years old. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She likes to read and travel in her free time. Melina enjoys working at the Boys and Girls Club because she likes working with kids and being involved with the community.
Elizabeth LaRonge
Head Chef/ Master of the Custodial Arts
Elizabeth was born in Hayward, WI. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She loves to go camping with her family and her two boys Preston and Cameron Metcalf. She likes working at the Boys and Girls Club because she was a club member when she was younger and enjoyed coming here and she likes working with kids and being part of the community.
Heather Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
Heather began her Boys and Girls Club experience as a youth attending the Club. After graduating High School, she worked in different professional arenas before returning to the Club in 2003 as the Unit Director. In 2016, Heather became the Executive Director. She is responsible for all Club operations and works with her Board of Directors to create lasting impact for our youth through sustained resources and Club programming. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Shelley Gerich
Director of Operations
Shelley has been with the Club since the Club began operations in 1996! Her duties include all payroll and accounting functions; financial and quarterly progress reporting on all grant-funded initiatives; audit and accountant support; staff support; building operations support and operational support for meals and snacks through the Department of Public Instruction.
Nick Chase
Unit Director
Nick originally worked for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee where he was both a Sports and Fitness Coordinator and a Club Manager. He also has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is responsible for all Club program operations, special initiatives; management of all program staff; fulfillment of all grant funded programs with measurable outcomes; membership tracking and integrity of data; Club safety; Club presentation to the community
Bob Dykstra
Club Maintenance
Bob is originally from Minnesota. Bob has a biology degree from Dordt University. Bob moved to the area and started volunteering at the Club in 2001. In 2006 he stepped into the Youth Development Profession at the Water Tower Site. As a certified naturalist and an avid canoer, he enjoys exploring the wonders of the great outdoors with our young adventurers. As "Bob the Builder", he gets to help dream up, build up, and maintain a top notch facility for our Club, school, and community to fully utilize.
Danielle Benton
Art Coordinator
Danielle is from The Oneida Nation of the Thames in Ontario, Canada. She is Oneida, Delaware (Lenni Lenape), & Mohawk of the Turtle Clan. She is a mother of 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Danielle enjoys attending ceremonies and travelling to powwows throughout the year with her family. She dances Northern Traditional and has been dancing since she could walk. She enjoys beading and sewing for her family and friends. Danielle has worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles since 2018 as the Art Director. She loves working with the youth and has made some great friendships in these past 2 years.
Charisse Reed
Academic Coordinator
Charisse is from Hayward WI, and is a member of Oneida Nation. Charisse graduated from LCO College with a Associates of Liberal Arts, she is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree. Charisse started at the Club as a College Intern in 2016 and later became a Youth Development Professional and is now currently the Academic Coordinator. Charisse is responsible for running STEM Mentoring and Torch Club.
Damian Perry
Character and Leadership/Teen Coordinator
Damian is from Hayward WI, and is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Damian graduated from LCO College with a degree in Carpentry. Damian is a Club Alumni and a former youth staff member. Damian has worked at the Club as the Teen Coordinator since March of 2019. Damian's purpose for working at the Club is to help teens find their purpose and make sure they find the right path in life. Damian is responsible for running SMART Moves, Meth SMART, and Career Launch.
Deborah Hong
Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator
Deborah is from Leonia, New Jersey and has recently moved to Hayward, Wisconsin in June 2020. She has been coming to LCO annually since 2013 with the NJ Korean Culture Camp. In 2015, she received her Bachelors of Arts in Fine Art and minors in Psychology and General Science and in 2020, received her Masters of Arts in Counseling. She has experience in working in schools as a mental health counselor for students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Deborah specializes in collaborating and developing effective strategies for individuals, coaching, and program development. Deborah was the Head Volleyball Coach for Fashion Institute of Technology for 3 seasons, taking the program to the NJCAA DIII National Tournament, and received Coach of the Year for Region XV & District B during the 2019 season.
Patrick Schrock
Youth Development Professional
Patrick has lived in Hayward for all of his 24 years. He's currently attending LCO College for a liberal arts degree and would like to become a teacher in the future. He likes traveling, hiking, reading, eating, and hanging out with friends. He choose to work at the Boys and Girls Club because he likes working with kids and wants to pass on the good example other adults have given to him.
Dakota Young
Youth Development Professional
Dakota was born and raised in Hayward, WI. He is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. He's 20 years old. He grew up playing any sport he could get his hands on. In his free time he likes to attend local sporting events with friends and family. He enjoys working at the Boys and Girls Club because he knows how important and fun it was when he attended as a child.
Shaniah Kagigebi
Youth Development Professional
Shaniah was born in Hayward, WI. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She is 20 years old. Shaniah is attending the LCO College. After she graduates from LCO, she plans to go to school to become an Art Teacher. She likes to travel and attend concerts in her free time. Shaniah likes working at the Boys and Girls Club to be involved with the community and be a good role model for youth.
Melina Gil
Youth Development Professional
Melina was born in Modesto, CA. She is 20 years old. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She likes to read and travel in her free time. Melina enjoys working at the Boys and Girls Club because she likes working with kids and being involved with the community.
Elizabeth LaRonge
Head Chef/ Master of the Custodial Arts
Elizabeth was born in Hayward, WI. She is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She loves to go camping with her family and her two boys Preston and Cameron Metcalf. She likes working at the Boys and Girls Club because she was a club member when she was younger and enjoyed coming here and she likes working with kids and being part of the community.
Board of Directors
Mic Isham, Jr.
Board President
Executive Administrator
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Jessica Hutchison
Vice President and Secretary
School Administrator
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa School
Mark Montano
Treasurer
Executive Director
LCO Housing
Lorraine Gouge
Member at large
Council Member- Vice Chairwoman
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Tweed Shuman
Member at large
Council Member
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Board President
Executive Administrator
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Jessica Hutchison
Vice President and Secretary
School Administrator
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa School
Mark Montano
Treasurer
Executive Director
LCO Housing
Lorraine Gouge
Member at large
Council Member- Vice Chairwoman
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Tweed Shuman
Member at large
Council Member
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
