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.

BGC leadership has indicated that they have made accommodations for any child that will be impacted by the decision. Students will have preferential placements at the five remaining BGC legacy sites — Davis, Mary Ryan, Fitzsimonds, Daniels-Mardak, LaVarnway and at the Siefert CLC (located six blocks from the Pieper-Hillside BGC). Additionally, they indicate that all Pieper-Hillside staff will be offered positions at other Clubs sites.

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.