Statement on the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club
I am saddened to have been made aware this week of the closing of the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club, 611 W. Cherry St. The legacy Boys & Girls Club location that has served thousands of children and families over the years with important programming and services will close later today.
The sudden and difficult announcement brings a loss to the children and families of Hillside Terrace, to the Golda Meir students who would walk over to the club after school (for wrap-around services), and for the community as a whole. The great Pieper-Hillside BGC staff has always provided high quality care, mentorship, and service to our young people, and they will be missed.
I am committed to working with the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, Boys & Girls Club, and Hillside residents to ensure that youth services are made available in the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the BGC leadership, played a major role in the decision to close the Pieper-Hillside location. Families have been severely impacted and are rightly putting the health and safety of children and family members first, and unemployment has also been a contributing factor.
I urge the community to continue following our Health Department orders (including the mandatory face masking order) and to put health and safety first, always.
Thank you to the Pieper-Hillside staff for their service, and may we move forward together as a community as we work to provide opportunities for our young people.