Akwesasne Boys
& Girls Club Director Named "40 Under 40"
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Jessica
Jock Cree (center), Executive Director of Akwesasne Boys &
Girls Club, was selected as a recipient of the NCAIED Native
American 40 Under 40 Award. She is pictured with club
members Kailiana Smoke (left) and Brooklyn Benedict (right)
in Washington, DC last May 2015. Photo credit: Akwesasne Boys
& Girls Club
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AKWESASNE Jessica Cree Jock, Executive Director of Akwesasne
Boys & Girls Club (ABGC), has been selected as a recipient of
the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Developments
(NCAIED) Native American 40 Under 40 award. The prestigious
award recognizes 40 emerging American Indian leaders from across
Indian Country who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and
dedication, and made significant contributions in business and/or
their community.
In her role as Executive Director, Jock ensures the development
and implementation of all programs, activities and services the
Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club provides. Since she began in 2011,
she has more than doubled the Clubs operating budget from
$400,000 to $850,000. Under her direction, the Club has grown from
200-registered members to over 600 members in the past five years.
The Club recently extended its after-school services to the St.
Regis Mohawk School, accommodating even more youth. Last spring
the ABGC held its first annual black-tie gala, raising $17,000 toward
the Club's new building fund. Jock has also created opportunities
for youth to represent ABGC nationally, recently bringing high school
students to Washington, DC to speak with U.S. Health and Human Services
directors about the needs of teens in Indian Country.
I am very humbled by this award, said Jock, an enrolled
member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. The youth in our community
keep me focused and encourage me to do my best every day. My work
for the Club is not a job, its my passion. Im honored
to serve the youth of Akwesasne.
ABGC Board President Julia Back Skidders extended congratulations
on behalf of the Club. Jessica is devoted to being a positive
force in the lives of the kids of Akwesasne, and it shows,
said Skidders. This recognition of her leadership is well-earned.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Sub-Chief Michael Conners also serves
on the board of ABGC. In his reference letter for Jocks nomination,
Conners praised her work ethic and vision for expanding the Clubs
reach. Jessicas ambitious strategic plan has helped
the Club achieve goals like financial transparency, increased services
to members, and increased community support for the Clubs
capital campaign for a new building, said Conners. Five
years ago, the Club was in need of direction, support and leadership.
We found that in her.
The awardees will be officially honored at the 41st Annual Indian
Progress in Business Awards (INPRO) Gala, taking place on November
16, 2016 at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. The event is part of Reservation Economic Summit (RES) New
Mexico.
Past Akwesasne recipients include Justin Tarbell (2014), Randi
Barreiro (2010) and Tsiorasa Barreiro (2010). Other notable recipients
include professional golfer Notah Begay III and WBNA All-Star Shoni
Schimmel.
Akwesasne
Boys & Girls Club
We are a non-profit after school program serving community children
ages 6 - 20 and their families since 2001. Our Mission: "To
inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us
the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible,
and caring community members" ABGC is a member organization
of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
http://www.myabgc.com
National Center
for American Indian Enterprise Development
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting
American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic
development we have evolved into the largest national Indian
specific business organization in the nation. We take our motto,
Putting Indian Country To Work to heart literally and
are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business
people realize their entrepreneurial goals.
http://ncaied.org
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and
federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.
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