Our Mission
At the Rosebud Boys & Girls Club, our mission is simple:
To help Lakota youth build strong minds, strong hearts, and strong futures.
We serve children and teens across the Rosebud Reservation through safe, nurturing, and high-impact programs that blend academics, wellness, workforce skills, and cultural pride. Whether a child is learning how to tie their shoes or lead a team project, we’re here to help them do hard things—and discover their strength along the way.
Academic Enrichment
Healthy
Lifestyles
Lakota Culture & Language
Workforce
Development
Why Rosebud Matters
The Rosebud Indian Reservation is home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, a vibrant and resilient nation. Yet like many tribal communities, our youth face unique challenges—educational barriers, food insecurity, limited economic opportunity.
We believe that when you invest in kids, you change everything.
This work isn’t just about after-school care. It’s about the future of our community.
Our Approach
We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all curriculum. We offer opportunity.
Our programming is shaped by the real needs of our community, the voices of our youth, and the values of our people.
Every Club experience is:
- Rooted in Lakota values
- Adapted to our local context
- Focused on growth over perfection
- Designed for real-world application
Who We Are
Get To Know Our Team
Beth Elk Looks Back
Site Director - Rosebud
Beth has been with the Boys & Girls Club since 2013. She worked for the school system for 10 years before taking on the position of Site Director at the Rosebud site. In this position her daily activities includes doing almost everything except cooking! Beth really likes that it doesn't seem like you are working when at the club because it's such a fun, safe place for kids to come to everyday. In 2017, she was awarded the Native Spirit Award by Boys & Girls Club of America. When not at work, she likes to spend time with family and friends.
Rose Elk Looks Back
Site Director - Parmelee
Rose joined our team in June 2018, founding our Parmelee Site. Rose jumped at the idea of starting a Club in her community, as she saw a unique chance for youth to get involved in a Club with all the activities it has to offer. A lifelong resident of Parmelee, SD, Rose knows there isn’t much for youth in the outlying communities of the Rosebud Reservation. Working with kids in an education field is what Rose has done since her first job at the RST Headstart/Billy Mills Center. She has well over 20 years experience working with children inside and outside the classroom and loves what she does. Rose loves that the Club gives her the opportunity to work with not only the youth of her community but also the two nearby communities of He Dog and Upper Cut Meat. She is passionate about the mission of the Boys & Girls Club and hopes to build the Parmelee Club for many years to come.
Aaron Cordier
Teen Center Coordinator - Mission
Aaron joined the Boys & Girls Club the summer after graduating from Todd County High School with the class of 2016. Before joining the BGCR Aaron helped set up cultural camps for the youth by Milks Camp with the Native American Advocacy Program as a youth development professional. He worked all season around with the camps and became a beekeeper/youth entrepreneur with Honey Lodge. Aaron also likes to dream big, long walks on the beach, and butterflies.
Robert Shot With Two Arrows
Program Coordinator - Parmelee
Robby is the Program Coordinator for the Rosebud and Parmelee sites.
He grew up in Parmelee and was previously employed at St. Francis Indian school as a Para Educator for 9 years. He began his employment at the Boys and Girls Club as Youth Development Professional for the summer program. He enjoyed working at the club and decided to apply for the full time position of Program Coordinator. Robert says he is grateful for the opportunity to work with the youth of the Rosebud Reservation. He is somewhat camera shy.
Rachel Kocak
Executive Director
Rachel Kocak joined the Boys & Girls Club as the Executive Director in December of 2023. Rachel grew up in southwestern Minnesota, graduated from Augustana College and later settled in Madison, South Dakota where she worked in behavioral management, human resources, strategic planning and leadership. Rachel and her family are avid homesteaders with a passion for living off the land. This passion grew into a career, and for the past few years Rachel worked in Oregon building a regenerative farm selling pastured chicken, eggs, and organically grown vegetables. She is deeply passionate about getting kids—even "grown up kids" —outdoors, immersed in nature, and involved in growing their own food.
Katelyn Bladel
Resource Development Coordinator
Katelyn first came to the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud as an Americorps VISTA in the summer of 2017 and worked as the art director until the beginning of 2019. After moving to Philadelphia she started working remotely for the Club writing their quarterly newsletter and helping with donor management. After a year of creating and developing the Club’s resource development program she has stepped into the role of resource development coordinator, a job she loves because she gets to talk about how awesome the Club is every single day. When she is not at work she enjoys making art, running her laser cut jewelry business in her Philly studio, and hanging out with her dog Gus.
Board of Directors
Dion Reynolds
President
Dion Reynolds serves as Board Chairman for the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud. He was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation and has deep understanding of his people and what is needed for positive changes in his community. Dion spent over 18 years in the US Marine Corps where he served as Marine Drill Instructor and deployed to various parts of the world. In his travels, he developed a very open perspective on life and culture. It is his belief that all people and cultures can grow and develop by learning from one another. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology Management and an Associates Degree in General Education. He works full time for the Lac du Flambeau Business Development Corporation as the Chief Operating Officer.
Dr. Nora Antoine
Vice President
Dr. Nora Antoine is the Regional Director at Leadership for Educational Equity. Prior to taking on this role, she chaired the business department at Sinte Gleska University. Nora is a sought-after speaker in the area, presenting regularly at regional forums. Nora and her husband make their home in White River. Having lived and raised her family on the Rosebud Reservation, Nora is invested in our youth. She is passionate about our Club and improving life for the Sicangu Oyate.
Serena Harmon
Treasurer
Serena Harmon, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is manager and co-owner of Rosebud Rental, a local equipment rental business. In this capacity she uses her strong entrepreneurial skillset to serve the community, while also stimulating the local economy. She is excited and honored to be able to utilize these skills to serve the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud. She always strives to instill a good work ethic and sense of purpose in those around her, as she believes doing good, meaningful work is paramount. When she isn’t busy with work, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her large circle of family and friends, running and hiking with her dog Lucky, spending time gardening , and working on her never-ending home projects.
Bo Bearshield
Secretary
Bo Bearshield serves as the prosecutor in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe children’s court. He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law. He played college football for the two time national champions at the University of Sioux Falls. Born and raised on the reservation, Bo believes in the potential of our local youth. A few of his past volunteer opportunities include working with Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, guest speaker at Rosebud Youth Fair, coaching youth football, and reading to youth.
