Walker River Paiute Tribal Chairwoman Victoria Guzman, left, and Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley Executive Director Travis Crowder go over paperwork in agreement of a partnership to start a Boys and Girls Club in Schurz on American Indian land.
SCHURZ - In what is being described as an exciting partnership in rural Nevada, the Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley and the Walker River Paiute Reservation have joined to form a Boys and Girls Club of Indian Country on the Walker River Reservation.
Walker River Paiute Tribal Chairwoman Victoria Guzman has been the driving force behind the partnership. The club will be located in Schurz, under the guidance of the Mason Valley club.
"This is the first collaboration of its kind in Northern Nevada," said Travis Crowder, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley. The only other American Indian location in Nevada is in Moapa.
"Most American Indian communities are very rural and need strong infrastructure to flourish. This Boys and Girls Club will not only help the youth but the entire rural community. This partnership is growing as local and state officials, organizations, businesses and individuals are seeing the uniqueness and undeniable need for such a project."
Crowder said the Schurz location will be overseen by the Mason Valley Club, but Guzman will be part of a hiring committee to obtain a full-time person to handle day-to-day operations. Also, a member of the Schurz community will be placed on the Mason Valley Board of Directors.
"Our goal is to serve 40-50 kids a day the first year and get an annual enrollment of 100-150 kids in the first year," Crowder said.
"We're already doing a lot together to share culture and heritage. The Schurz club will also be unique in bringing their culture into existing programs, and they'll have a boxing program."
The project includes a 2,000 square-foot building located next to the Walker River Paiute Gymnasium and a swimming pool, which will be used during the summer months. The clubhouse will include an education center fully equipped with computers and ample space for homework and tutoring programs; a fine-arts and crafts area with special emphasis on American Indian cultural; and a game room with a pool table, air hockey, foosball and table tennis.
The Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley-Walker River Unit will open July 31.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
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