News
Boys & Girls Club Opens in Milbank, Welcomes More Than 100 Youth During First Week
Boys & Girls Club officially opened in Milbank on August 18, bringing expanded after-school opportunities to local youth and families.
The excitement began even before opening day with a community Back-to-School bash, giving families a chance to learn about the Club, meet staff, and celebrate the start of a new school year.
During its first week of operation, the Club welcomed 90 youth on its opening day and served more than 100 youth on its busiest days. Children in junior kindergarten through fifth grade participated in a variety of activities focused on learning, friendship, fun, and personal growth.
The successful launch was made possible through strong community partnerships, including the support of the Milbank School District, dedicated Advisory Council volunteers, and an enthusiastic team of Club staff members who helps create a welcoming environment for every child who walked through the doors.
The overwhelming response from families confirms what many already knew: Milbank was ready for a Boys & Girls Club. As the Club begins its first year of programming, staff, and community leaders are excited to continue creating opportunities for local youth to learn, grow, and thrive.
Great Futures Start Here.
Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion Celebrates Major Milestone with Community Open House
The Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion welcomed families, community partners, and supporters on August 3 celebrate several exciting milestones, including the grand opening of The Clubhouse Early Childhood Enrichment Center, one year of Traditional Club programming, and the dedication of the Club gym in honor of Susa "Sue" French.
The event brought community members together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tours, and an opportunity to learn more about programs serving local youth and families.
The celebration highlighted the impact the club has made during its first year in Vermillion, providing a safe and supportive place for young people to learn, grow, and build positive relationships. It also marked the opening of The Clubhouse Early Childhood Enrichment Center, home to the Vermillion Early Childhood Enrichment Collaborative, a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains and the Vermillion School District designed to expand access to high-quality early childhood enrichment opportunities.
The evening concluded with a special dedication of the Club gym, honoring Susan "Sue" French and her lasting impact on youth and families in the Vermillion community.
Great Futures Start Here.
Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains Addresses Cyber Fraud Incident, Announces New Digital Safety Initiative
In April 2026, the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains’ Yankton Club fell victim to a cyberattack known as a “deepfake fraud,” resulting in a loss of $200,000.
In regard to the children and families we serve, we would like to emphasize that:
- No personal or health information was compromised in the attack.
- No financial data - such as credit card numbers or bank accounts - of donors or families who access Boys & Girls Club programs and services was compromised.
- There will be no changes to facilities, programs or staffing levels due to this incident.
- Our system is secure, and additional layers of security have been added to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
The affected funds came from a reserve account used for things like building maintenance and emergency needs of the Yankton Club. We are heartbroken that funds meant to improve the lives of children won’t end up where they were intended, and we are blessed to have the flexibility to deal with this situation without impacting the work we do.
Please direct any questions or concerns to Jody Hernandez, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains.
The Threat of Cyberattacks
AI provides many new benefits and opportunities for society. At the same time, this incident has highlighted for us how vulnerable society is to new forms of cyberattacks.
Microsoft's security research team has named this moment the “trust economy,” where trust has become both a currency and a vulnerability. This affects everyone, including children.
Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains is now planning a digital safety program called “Safe Connections” for the children and families we serve. Safe Connections will bring digital safety education to the youth at every one of our 19 sites and to their families.
We will communicate the details of Safe Connections once our plans are finalized.
