Statement from Jessica Hutchison, LCO Ojibwe School Superintendent
Home FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 28, 2025By: Jessica Hutchison, Superintendent Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School,715-634-8934, ext 1229, email jessica.hutchison@lcoosk.org Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearing Statement Hayward, Wis. – Boozhoo. My name is Jessica Hutchison & I am here representing the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. I am also the superintendent of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School, a longtime partner of the Club, as it is widely known throughout the community. I am also the proud parent of two kids that were once Club members. As a recognized Boys and Girls Club of America, we are one year shy of celebrating our 30th year in existence and are proud to have been one of the first Native Clubs established in the entire country. Last year we reached nearly 500 Club members, with an average daily attendance of 70 children aged 6-18. Each week night of the school year, and every week day of the summer, the Club provides an engaging, exciting & safe place for kids, with physical activity & games, opportunities to learn and practice Ojibwe cultural traditions, academic support & enrichment, & 1-2 meals for kids not just from LCO, but also the greater Hayward community. The Club has long served as a community center, hosting educational & cultural events for young and old, encouraging families to build relationships and to truly meet & know their neighbors. This work is supported by TANF funding provided by the Department of Children and Families. The benefit of increased TANF funding will be felt not just by the CLUB members themselves through programs like BE GREAT, GRADUATE and WISCONSIN AFTER 3, but by the hundreds of working families who can be assured that they have a low cost, safe & engaging environment for their kids. The truth is, a vibrant & thriving Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles is good for the health, wellness & public safety of Sawyer County. Money spent supporting kids is never a bad investment. I ask that the 7.3-million-dollar TANF allocation from 2023-2024 be continued and in the next budget appropriation. Miigwech for your time and consideration. Back To All News
Statement from Melinda McKevett-Isham
Home FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 28, 2025By: Melinda McKevett-Isham, Chief Executive Officer, 715-634-4030Email: melinda.isham@outlook.com Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearing Statement Hayward, Wis. – Hello, my name is Melinda McKevett-Isham, and I am the Boys and Girls Club Chief Executive Officer of Lac Courte Oreilles. The Club is my home. My Club journey started as a Club kid, turned into a youth staff, cook, volunteer while my husband was in basic training, talked my husband into moving home and 6 years later I became the Program Director, quickly turned into the Unit Director and 6 short months after that became the CEO. I have enjoyed watching our youth grow into amazing young adults. I’m here today to ask you all to continue Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding of $7.3 million annually. The same amount received in fiscal year 2023-24 to allow after-school programs like Be Great, Graduate, and Wisconsin After 3 to keep having an impact. Within these programs are Power Hour, Brain Gain, DIY STEM, NBA Math Hoops, and Career Launch that provide our youth with help improving their reading & writing skills, science, math, engineering, and technology skills. Our trained professionals focus on increasing academic achievement, school engagement, and career readiness while reducing juvenile crime and helping keep our youth off drugs, like opioids. We help build self-confidence in our members and show them that their voice matters. Clubs across the state provide a safe and fun experience so all young people can reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. This is our mission. We also provide tens of thousands of parents/guardians to continue to work while their kids are safe after school between the house of 3 pm to 7 pm. Boys and Girls Clubs are the largest provider of youth services, with 203 sites across 77 communities, serving over 125,800 youth in Wisconsin. Locally, serving 459 youth in the last fiscal year 2023-2024. On average, serving 70 youth members daily. I get to witness the impact programs like Be Great, Graduate, and Wisconsin After 3 have on our members, and it is truly rewarding every day. I urge you to continue funding Clubs at $7.3 million in TANF every year into the future, the amount as last fiscal year 2023-24. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Back To All News