(Originally aired on KOMO-TVs ‘Seattle Refined’)
It’s all smiles at the Tulalip Boys and Girls
“Our children, our young ones, and especially the ones still coming are precious and are really our resource,” said Tulalip Tribes chairwoman Marie Zackuse. “Anything that we do, all the decisions that we make are for our kids today, but really are for those seven generations coming.”
The Club serves as many as 250 children a day. Diane Prouty knows each and every one of them by name.
“My job since day one has been to get those kids greeted when they come in the door,” said Prouty. “They used to walk across the street, then they built a new school. Now they’re bussed in.”
“They’re happy to come here and see you, they can’t wait to come to the club,” said director Mark Hatch. “And that’s what’s best for me. Being able to see them grow up, go to school next door – the Betty Taylor Learning Center. In three years, I’ve seen the kids change dramatically and I feel great knowing I’m part of it, knowing I’m a part of something special.”