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Boys and Girls Clubs Making A Difference
Mayor's Report Week of March 31, 2003

Guy Klabunde, a state representative of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alaska, was in the area last week to review our programs in this region. We now have Boys and Girls Clubs in Kotzebue and Kivalina, another due to open in Selawik in June, and hopes for still another in Ambler. His report to our Borough staff was very gratifying.

The beautiful Kotzebue Club opened over three years ago in space provided by the City of Kotzebue. Under the management of Zonna Lie-Ito, who was hired as director about one year ago, programs and participation have grown to the extent that it is now considered one of the top five Clubs in all of Alaska!

The Kivalina Boys and Girls Club opened just recently and already has a membership of 71 local youth. An average of 59 young people a day utilize the facility for after school and evening recreation and learning activity. Originally the Kivalina Club was managed by Della Booth, who has since resigned her position. Judy Sage has been hired as the new manager and was in Kotzebue last week to receive training from Zonna.

The Borough is proud to be a member of a coalition of organizations that provide financial support to the Boys and Girls Club. Our Assembly is committed to creating a positive environment for our youth as a means of supporting their overall education, introducing new hobbies and skills into their lives, reinforcing cultural values, and providing healthy alternatives for use of their free time.

In Kotzebue, the City is the primary financial force behind the local Club. It provides not just the space, but non-personnel operating costs such as the heat, electricity and water and sewer service. Maniilaq Association has been a leader in the development of the Club since its inception as well, providing substantial funding and other forms of support. The Kotzebue Electric Association, Tupiq Inc., NIHA, NANA Regional Corporation, and KIC have also made financial contributions to the annual operating budget.

Staff of all the major contributing organizations have taken time to serve on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors as well. The Board has been very capably headed by Brad Reeve of KEA during the Club's period of growth and improvement.

State Boys and Girls Club personnel, such as Mr. Klabunde, are to be commended for the extra effort they have made to assist Clubs in the most remote parts of Alaska. They have traveled here regularly, providing training and even staffing for our club in times of special need.

And a special note of appreciation to Zonna Lie-Ito. While many of us have good intentions and try to support programs like this from afar, it is the people who actually implement the programs that make them successful. She has created an environment that makes our youth feel welcome and programs that keep them happily busy. She has also found ways to let we sponsors know that our support is important and valued. We are lucky to have her in such a vital capacity.

As a "hub" Club for our region, the Kotzebue facility also serves many visitors from throughout the region, particularly when they travel here for school competitions. The management is also involved in assisting surrounding villages with the planning and organization of new Clubs.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of our region will always need additional sources of funding, especially as they grow in number. Contributions by individuals, businesses, or other organizations would be greatly appreciated and can be directed to Zonna Lie-Ito at the Kotzebue Club.

I hope to see Boys and Girls Clubs in most of our villages in the not too distant future. Our youth, our families, and our region will benefit in every way.