AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe was pleased to learn that the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club (ABGC) is slated to receive $1 Million from the $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill that passed Congress on Tsiothóhrha/December 23, 2022. The federal funds will be used to help the Boys and Girls Club to realize their dream of a new clubhouse for Akwesasne youth.
“News of the federal funding is a wonderful holiday present for our community’s youth,” shared Jessica Cree-Jock, ABGC Executive Director. She added, “It helps us get one step closer to having a much safer and exciting new main clubhouse where youth from both sides of Akwesasne will continue to thrive.”
The Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club is the only Native American club within the Boys & Girls Club of America that is located in New York State. It serves more than 700 youth each year however, its current location lacks sufficient space and basic amenities to help more children.
The Club is seeking to better serve Akwesasne youth with construction of a 18,900-square foot building; which will entail classrooms, kitchen, offices, teen suite, and a large multi-purpose room for functions and activities. It will be built on a three-acre parcel of land donated by the Tribe located along Margaret Terrance Memorial Way.
The new location provides access to athletic fields and other facilities at Generations Park — including the Ronthahiiohsthá:ka Clubhouse operated by the Tribe’s Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Program. Construction of a new amphitheater at the park is scheduled to begin this year that will also allow the club to enhance its programming in the performing arts.
Construction of a new clubhouse is estimated to cost $9 Million. The ABGC has succeeded in raising nearly $5 Million; which includes a $3 Million contribution from the Tribe and approximately $2 Million from the club’s own fundraising efforts. It is currently seeking a champion to help them bridge the remaining gap and join their efforts to improve the lives of all Akwesasne youth.
“We are extremely proud of the Club’s efforts during the past 21 years in helping our youth to be inspired and empowered in a safe and nurturing environment,” stated the Tribal Council. They noted, “We extend our appreciation to New York’s congressional delegation for supporting efforts to build a new clubhouse; including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congresswomen Elise Stefanik.”
To make a personal contribution to the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club’s new clubhouse, please visit the website https://www.myabgc.com/our-capitial-project and click “Donate.”
For more information, please contact ABGC Executive Director Jessica Cree-Jock at (518) 358-9911 or email jcreejock@myabgc.com.
