In honor of our 20-year anniversary, we will be highlighting the Brokish family who has made an enormous impact at the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County.

From the start in 2002 to 2020, you would have seen one of the Brokish family members at one of our Club sites, either as a staff or as a Club member. Bobbi, mother of the Brokish family was one of our founding staff members at our Junction City location and worked hard to build the site into what it is today.

We asked her and four of her children who worked at the Club to share a bit about their time at the Club and some of their favorite memories.



Bobbi Brokish:

"I worked at BGC from 2003-2009. "

"I started as a volunteer at the Junction City Extension when the Club first opened in 2002. I then began working at the Club as a Program Leader before transitioning to the Assistant Director and finally Director in my last three years with the Club."

"I saw the benefits Boys & Girls Club had on my own kids from the very start in 2002 and I was excited to join the team! I enjoyed being able to provide fun opportunities for the Junction City Club members. The programming allowed members to experience a variety of disciplines, ranging from arts and crafts to sports leagues. It was fulfilling to watch them learn while having fun at Club."

Favorite memory: "Rich Johnson was a large part of bringing the Boys & Girls Club to Junction City. One of his biggest passions was the health and fitness of our youth. One way he inspired members to be healthy was through his annual bike ride. At the end of each summer, Mr. Johnson biked about 200 miles around Junction City Park. Members would take turns joining him on their bikes, cheering him on, handing him refreshments, and counting his miles. It was an amazing event that inspired the Boys & Girls Club’s annual Bike-a-thon."

"In today’s society, there are a lot of households with both parents working. Boys & Girls Club provides a safe place where members receive help with schoolwork and have the opportunity to participate in fun and engaging programs. Club staff encourage members to reach for their goals and become responsible citizens both at school and in the community."



Seth Huddleston:

"I worked at BGC from 2005-2007."

"I worked as a Program Leader at the Junction City Extension and Plover Center."

"It was a great opportunity to make a positive impact in my community. I enjoyed getting to pass on my love of sports to Club members. It was fun to teach the Club members important skills like leadership and sportsmanship while playing all kinds of sports."

Favorite memory: "It was cool to take members on a lot of fun field trips. One of my favorite trips was to a Brewers game. Spending the summer playing baseball with the members to then watching the professionals play was an exciting experience."

"The Boys & Girls Club found fun ways to teach members important skills. The Club provided programming that covered many different interests and passions. Seeing the positive impact it had on the kids in my community made me grateful to be part of such a rewarding experience."



Kayla Schmenk:

"I worked at BGC from 2005-2010."

"I worked as a Program Leader at the Junction City Extension, Madison View Extension, Jefferson Elementary School Center, and Plover Center during my time with the Club."

"I liked that it was a safe place for kids to go after school. The structure of programming provided the members an opportunity to learn good habits in a fun atmosphere. My favorite programs to run were Reading Club and Cooking Club. It was nice to be able to provide Club members with the skills to create healthy snack options."

Favorite memory: "Riding along with the members for the annual Bike-a-thon was a highlight each summer. Members participated in Bike Club all summer long with the goal of completing one of the courses at the bike-a-thon. It was fun to see them reach their goal and earn prizes for their hard work."

"BGC continues to be a safe place that enables growth and healthy choices for tomorrow's youth. I hope my children get the opportunity to participate in Club and learn how to make a positive impact in their community."



Stacy Brokish:

"I was a member from 2002-2009 and worked at BGC from 2012-2016."

"I was a Program Leader at the Junction City Extension for the majority of my time but also filled in as a substitute in numerous roles for the other Club sites."

"I enjoyed connecting with the Club members and helping provide a positive environment where they could learn and grow. It was rewarding to see members take on new challenges through our different programs. Seeing their happy faces when they succeeded always made my day!"

"There are so many memories to choose from! One of my favorite memories would have to be playing soccer with the Junction City Club members. Any time we were outside at the Club, soccer was the sport of choice. I didn’t know much about soccer, so it was fun to learn the positions and rules from the members."

"BGC is essential for providing the youth of Portage County an environment that fosters growth through fun and challenging programming. It provides a safe place for kids to be kids while still teaching important qualities like respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship. Boys & Girls Club staff are positive role models that help shape the youth of tomorrow. I still remember numerous staff that made an impact on me when I was a member."



Robyn Brokish:

"I worked at BGC from 2018-2020."

"I worked as a Program Leader at the Junction City Extension."

"Boys & Girls Club allowed members to grow through educational yet fun activities. I enjoyed having the opportunity to share my passion for Health Promotion and Wellness with Club members through programs like Healthy Habits and Triple Play. Overall, it was a safe and fun place for members to come and be themselves."

Favorite memory: "Taking the Junction City Club members to Putt n Play in Stevens Point was a memorable trip. Watching the members' excitement as they held the bunnies was so cute. I don’t know if anyone remembers golfing, but those bunnies were adorable!"

"Boys & Girls Club serves an important population of kids in the Portage County community. The Club gives members the chance to build friendships, encourages community engagement, and helps promote academic sustainability."



The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County would like to thank the Brokish Family for their continued support of the Club over the past 20 years. Your generosity to serve others has made an impact in the lives of so many children throughout Portage County, but especially in Junction City.