Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter June - In Progress | Page 23

OUR COMMITTED
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Platinum
TM
Get to know our valued board members
Jen Simunich, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta
I am fortunate to have been with the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta since the fall of 2001. In the
beginning of my career with the Club, I was hired to start-up our homework support and
tutoring program. It was my passion for working with kids and teens that helped direct the focus
of my career to the field of education. Upon the completion of my early childhood degree, I
continued my studies and received my BA in elementary education. I taught for many years in
the Eastern suburbs of Cleveland and Cleveland Heights, Ohio, before moving to La Crosse in the
fall of 99, where I continued teaching as a substitute in La Crosse and Onalaska.
I didn’t realize accepting a job at the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta would steer my career into
a familiar, but very different direction – and one that I enjoy as much as I do. I have been the
Executive Director for 3 years. I am privileged to be able to work alongside so many wonderful
people and to be part of this community. I feel energized when our community rallies together
and supports our various non-profits. Countless needs are met through these organizations and
I become more motivated, seeing first-hand, the work and dedication of the countless Sparta community members who do their
part.
Our Boys & Girls Club has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. So, it felt like a natural step to
become a member of the Sparta Chamber Board of Directors. Serving on this board for the past two years, has connected me
to a network of people who share my desire to keep Sparta in motion and by continuing to do good things. For our youth, it
starts when the community works together; with businesses and corporations, our schools, churches, scouts, sports and Boys &
Girls Clubs. I feel the work we do at the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta has a boomerang effect in our community; we work hard
to secure funding so that we can provide essential life-enhancing programs for young people. We mentor our youth, give them
positive opportunities, set them up to experience success, and provide leadership and character developing opportunities. In
turn, they become productive, responsible and caring citizens. Then the boomerang circles back and we become neighbors with
Sparta’s next generation .