In 2017, with the support of Boys & Girls Club Native Services Division, Catawba Nation chartered our first club. The Teen Center, known as Suuk Yap, meaning “Tree House” in Catawba, serves children in middle school and high school. Two years later, our elementary site, Suuk Sarak, meaning “Sprout House”, became an extension site under our charter.
These clubs work with dedicated staff to provide a fun, safe, positive environment where youth can find supportive relationships, encouragement, and opportunities to learn about Catawba culture, character development, and healthy lifestyles.
Our clubs are enhanced by many grants including the OJP Mentoring grant, Walmart Food Access Program, TRAIL Diabetes Prevention grant, Tribal Youth Prevention grant, and Child Care Development Fund.
More About the Boys & Girls Club
Boys & Girls Club of America is the largest youth service provider for Native youth with over 200 native clubs serving over 120,000 native youth and representing 114 tribal communities.
These Clubs offer opportunities to provide Native youth with ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, a safe place to learn and grow, life-enhancing programs, character development experiences and, most of all, hope and opportunity. Native Clubs strengthen their youth’s cultural identity through programming that explicitly promotes positive youth growth and development along critical cultural, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical dimensions through viable and sustainable organizations.
BGCA Native Services is a dedicated group of leaders that works tirelessly to provide culturally relevant support to Boys & Girls Clubs on Native Lands. They are committed to addressing the challenges and issues unique to Native communities while celebrating their unique strengths.
Contact Information
Suuk Sarak Location
Ashley Garris, Site Manager
1536 Tom Steven Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Phone: (803) 659-7255
ashley.garris@catawba.com
Suuk Yap Location
Visit our website at bgccatawba.com!
Kris Carpenter, Site Manager
993 Avenue of the Nations
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Cell: (803)230-5147
Kris.Carpenter@catawba.com