VISTA Commits to Year of Service with Boys and Girls Club

March 15, 2010

Jenny Schroeder’s life path first crossed with Native American social issues while taking a sociology course at Drake University. Over the next couple of years her interest developed into a passion which led to her commitment to a year of service on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation.

Schroeder moved to South Dakota in March and became an Americorp VISTA member. She will work to support the Boys and Girls Club of Three Districts through fundraising and grant writing. The Club serves the youth on the Crow Creek Reservation.
Schroeder graduated in December 2009 from Drake University with a degree in Sociology and earned academic honors while also playing for the University’s women’s soccer team. Much of her academic work in school, including her senior capstone project, focused on Native American social issues. After graduation, Schroeder was interested in pursuing both service-oriented positions and careers that allowed her to work with Native communities. The VISTA position at Crow Creek offered the opportunity to do both.

“I couldn’t be happier about this opportunity,” Schroeder said. “I’m looking forward to developing sustainable funding sources so that the Boys and Girls Club can keep providing its critical services here at Crow Creek.”

Schroeder’s plans include managing a website for the Club, writing grants for foundations and government entities, and creating a base of private donors.

While Schroeder’s work is focused on supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Three Districts, she will share office space and resources with The Harvest Initiative. The Harvest Initiative was founded in 2008 to promote economic activity and community development on the Crow Creek Reservation.