Erin Walti/Sun
The effort to give local youth a place of their own is getting more attention as the local Healthy Community Healthy Youth organization has focused efforts on establishing a Boys and Girls Club in Chamberlain.

Tonya Derdall, who has been with the project for six years as a member of the Healthy Community Healthy Youth organization, said the need was first identified years ago in a survey of local youth, who said they wanted a place to congregate in the evenings and when school’s not in session.

Since Chamberlain is not big enough to get a YMCA center and there isn’t funding for a recreation center, Derdall said the Boys and Girls Club could fill the void.

“It has a great reputation; a very stable organization,” said Derdall.

The club’s stability will allow the Chamberlain chapter to be eligible for more grants and funding than it would on its own. The club would be a non-profit organization, status that the club is trying to cement.

“That’ll help us quite a bit once that gets done,” said Derdall. 
Organizers are also trying to use Lower Brule’s club’s charter to get started, since their paperwork is in place.

The project’s organizers will be forming a steering committee or 12-15 people, as well as a business plan, at their next meeting on Friday, September 17.

Lenae Oyen will be at the head of the committee, but Derdall said the project could still use volunteers.

“We’re building momentum, but can still use help from anybody interested,” said Derdall.
Those interested in helping can contact Derdall or Oyen for more details.