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!
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 DiCosimo
Chief Executive Officer
Heather began her Boys and Girls Club experience as a youth attending the Club. Heather was our Clubs first Youth of the Year in 1996! 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 obtained two Associate Degrees from the Lac Courte Oreilles University in Business Managment and Accounting. She then earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University. Heather describes working at the Club as her way of life not a job. She is a self proclaimed "lifer" at the Club and couldn't imagine doing anything else professionally. Heather is married and has two children, Kiera and John.
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.
Jody Quaderer
Unit Director
Jody was a Club kid since she was six years old and is now a Club Alumni. Jody started as our Unit Director in August 2022! She has an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from the Lac Courte Oreilles University. In the Spring of 2023, she will be obtaining her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and another Associate Degree of Science in Small Business. She 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 and Club presentation to the community. Jody shared she wanted to work at the Club because she grew up there and has always wanted to better our community by educating and working with our youth. She said she knows first hand how important the Club and staff are to our youth.
Bob Dykstra
Facilities Manager
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.
Neil Martinson
Facilities Assistant
Neil joined our team in September of 2022. Neil is also a Club Alumni. He loves to play and watch basketball and play Xbox. Neil is grateful for this opportunity to shadow Bob and help where ever he can. Neil is a scorpio.
Danielle George
Program Coordinator
Danielle is from the Oneida of the Thames in Ontario, Canada. She is Oneida, Delaware (Lenape) and Mohawk. She has 5 awesome children and a beautiful granddaughter. She enjoys Ceremonies and Powwows with her family. She dances jingle and competes at powwows throughout the Midwest. She enjoys beading and sewing for her family and friends. Danielle has worked at the Club since October 2016 as the Art Director and now Program Director. She loves working with the youth and has built some great friendships these past years.
Nicole Barthel
Program Coordinator
Nicole's Ojibwe name is Bimweweashikwe, women of all thunderbird beings. She is 34 years old. Born and raised on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. Nicole has her Associates Degree in Small Business. She is continuing her education in Business Administration here at the Lac Courte Oreilles University to obtain her Bachelor's Degree. Nicole is also a Club Alumni. She raises her 8 year old nephew Kameryn. Nicole loves playing all kinds of sports. She played women's professional football for Minnesota Vixens, she was an MMA fighter, and she plays slow pitch softball in the summer. Nicole enjoys working with the youth in our community and being the best role model she can be.
Damian "Maui" Perry
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.
Art Mustache
Youth Development Professional
Art has been with the Boys and Girls Club since May 2021. Art stated the main reason he works at the Club is simple "because I love working with our youth". Art has 5 children and he says they make him smile everyday! Art is a proud Capricorn and his favorite color is clear. During Arts free time he enjoys long walks on the beach and he loves riding his Harley Davidsons.
Angelo Perry
Youth Development Professional
Angelo Perry Sr. joined our team in September 2022, although he spent many summers as a youth worker at the Club during high school as well. Angelo is a Club Alumni and was our Clubs second Youth of the Year in 1997! Angelo is an enrolled Tribal Member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Angelo is now married with five kids, which four of them are now Club members. His kids are 14, 13, 11, 8 and 1. He hopes they all remain members and can experience all the opportunities he did as a Club member. Angelo stated "it gives me great pride to say I'm back working at the Club and working with such a great group of caring colleagues."
Dominic Potack
Youth Development Professional
Dominic has been with the Boys and Girls Club since July 2022. He is also a Club Alumni! Dominic grew up on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation and graduated from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe High School where he played basketball all four years. Dominic likes to play and watch basketball and play video games during his free time. Dominic has a 6 year old son in kindergarten but says he's still "a young hip dad!". Dominic thinks working with the kids is a GREAT opportunity to be a mentor for the next generation!
Joanna Miller
Director of First Impressions (Front Desk)
Joanna was born and raised in Hayward, WI on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation. Joanna describes herself as a shy homebody. She also says she is very outgoing and caring. In her free time she loves to play any kind of games. Joanna is also a Club Alumni. Joanna joined our team in September of 2022. She said she wanted to work at the Club because she loves working with the kids. It also gives her a feeling of being involved in a positive environment.
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 cCub member when she was younger and enjoyed coming here and she likes working with kids and being part of the community.
Heather DiCosimo
Chief Executive Officer
Heather began her Boys and Girls Club experience as a youth attending the Club. Heather was our Clubs first Youth of the Year in 1996! 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 obtained two Associate Degrees from the Lac Courte Oreilles University in Business Managment and Accounting. She then earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University. Heather describes working at the Club as her way of life not a job. She is a self proclaimed "lifer" at the Club and couldn't imagine doing anything else professionally. Heather is married and has two children, Kiera and John.
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.
Jody Quaderer
Unit Director
Jody was a Club kid since she was six years old and is now a Club Alumni. Jody started as our Unit Director in August 2022! She has an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from the Lac Courte Oreilles University. In the Spring of 2023, she will be obtaining her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and another Associate Degree of Science in Small Business. She 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 and Club presentation to the community. Jody shared she wanted to work at the Club because she grew up there and has always wanted to better our community by educating and working with our youth. She said she knows first hand how important the Club and staff are to our youth.
Bob Dykstra
Facilities Manager
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.
Neil Martinson
Facilities Assistant
Neil joined our team in September of 2022. Neil is also a Club Alumni. He loves to play and watch basketball and play Xbox. Neil is grateful for this opportunity to shadow Bob and help where ever he can. Neil is a scorpio.
Danielle George
Program Coordinator
Danielle is from the Oneida of the Thames in Ontario, Canada. She is Oneida, Delaware (Lenape) and Mohawk. She has 5 awesome children and a beautiful granddaughter. She enjoys Ceremonies and Powwows with her family. She dances jingle and competes at powwows throughout the Midwest. She enjoys beading and sewing for her family and friends. Danielle has worked at the Club since October 2016 as the Art Director and now Program Director. She loves working with the youth and has built some great friendships these past years.
Nicole Barthel
Program Coordinator
Nicole's Ojibwe name is Bimweweashikwe, women of all thunderbird beings. She is 34 years old. Born and raised on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. Nicole has her Associates Degree in Small Business. She is continuing her education in Business Administration here at the Lac Courte Oreilles University to obtain her Bachelor's Degree. Nicole is also a Club Alumni. She raises her 8 year old nephew Kameryn. Nicole loves playing all kinds of sports. She played women's professional football for Minnesota Vixens, she was an MMA fighter, and she plays slow pitch softball in the summer. Nicole enjoys working with the youth in our community and being the best role model she can be.
Damian "Maui" Perry
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.
Art Mustache
Youth Development Professional
Art has been with the Boys and Girls Club since May 2021. Art stated the main reason he works at the Club is simple "because I love working with our youth". Art has 5 children and he says they make him smile everyday! Art is a proud Capricorn and his favorite color is clear. During Arts free time he enjoys long walks on the beach and he loves riding his Harley Davidsons.
Angelo Perry
Youth Development Professional
Angelo Perry Sr. joined our team in September 2022, although he spent many summers as a youth worker at the Club during high school as well. Angelo is a Club Alumni and was our Clubs second Youth of the Year in 1997! Angelo is an enrolled Tribal Member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Angelo is now married with five kids, which four of them are now Club members. His kids are 14, 13, 11, 8 and 1. He hopes they all remain members and can experience all the opportunities he did as a Club member. Angelo stated "it gives me great pride to say I'm back working at the Club and working with such a great group of caring colleagues."
Dominic Potack
Youth Development Professional
Dominic has been with the Boys and Girls Club since July 2022. He is also a Club Alumni! Dominic grew up on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation and graduated from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe High School where he played basketball all four years. Dominic likes to play and watch basketball and play video games during his free time. Dominic has a 6 year old son in kindergarten but says he's still "a young hip dad!". Dominic thinks working with the kids is a GREAT opportunity to be a mentor for the next generation!
Joanna Miller
Director of First Impressions (Front Desk)
Joanna was born and raised in Hayward, WI on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation. Joanna describes herself as a shy homebody. She also says she is very outgoing and caring. In her free time she loves to play any kind of games. Joanna is also a Club Alumni. Joanna joined our team in September of 2022. She said she wanted to work at the Club because she loves working with the kids. It also gives her a feeling of being involved in a positive environment.
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 cCub member when she was younger and enjoyed coming here and she likes working with kids and being part of the community.
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 Ojibwe School
Mark Montano
Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
Lorraine Gouge
Member at large
Tribal Council Member- Vice Chairwoman
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Tweed Shuman
Member at large
Tribal Council Member
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Edwin Carley
Member at large
Vocational Tech Teacher Aide
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa School
Board President
Executive Administrator
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Jessica Hutchison
Vice President and Secretary
School Administrator
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School
Mark Montano
Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
Lorraine Gouge
Member at large
Tribal Council Member- Vice Chairwoman
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Tweed Shuman
Member at large
Tribal Council Member
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government
Edwin Carley
Member at large
Vocational Tech Teacher Aide
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa School