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Sioux YMCA
At A Glance - 2007
Mission:
Our mission is to develop and
strengthen the children and families in our reservation communities so
they can fulfill their greatest individual and collective spiritual,
mental and physical potentials.
History:
The Sioux YMCA was founded in
1879, making it one of the older YMCAs and the only YMCA on a Native
American Reservation in the USA. After the Lakota Sioux warriors
defeat in the “Little Crow Wars”, the young men were imprisoned while
the older men were hung. During the seven years of the Lakota men’s
incarceration, YMCA outreach workers visited them in prison. YMCA
workers brought food, clothing, the English language and the Bible.
They discovered a shared philosophy in the importance of a “healthy
spirit, mind and body”. Upon release from prison and impressed with
the work of the YMCA, these young Lakota men met with others in their
communities and formed the “Koska Okodakeciye” – Young Men’s
Association.
Today:
We serve Lakota children and
families living in remote communities throughout the 4,500 sq. mile
Cheyenne River Reservation in west-central South Dakota. The Lakota
culture is rich in tradition, families, spirituality and
relationships. The values of respect, generosity, bravery and wisdom
are the heart and strength of the people. This reservation is one of
the poorest in the United States. The Sioux YMCA is a safe place for
fun, for learning, for restarting a life and for a lasting, positive
impact. We are a non-facility operation.
Programs /
Services:
Lakota Achievers (36)
After School Program
(30-70 youth each weekday -
12,102)
Minneapolis & Saint Paul Metro. YMCA Summer Camp Staff
Project (18 staff & 80 youth)
Activate America STEPS / Healthy Kids Day (53)
Walking Club (48)
Soup & Social (2,342meals)
Children’s Summer Lunch & Snack Program
(3,811meals)
Rummage / Fabric Sales (290)
Reading Is Fundamental (400+ books)
Christmas gifts for youth, teen, adults
and elders (900)
Community Christmas dinners (484)
Basketball Clinic (26)
Easter Egg (436)
Youth Photography - MVP (33)
Traditional Hand Drum Art Camp (34)
Halloween (117)
Sewing (36)
Non-money bingo (326)
Resource Center / GED (98+ adults)
Arts & Crafts Project (28 artists)
Members,
Program Participants in 2007:
Youth: 798
Teens: 262
Adults: 440
Elders: 126
TOTAL:1,626
Volunteers:
Program: 162
Policy: 44
Cooperation & collaboration
is critical in our efforts to implement effective programs/services
and to fully utilize and be good stewards of our
human, financial and material resources.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Youth Diabetes Prevention
Western South Dakota Community
Action
American Indian Relief Council
Local Churches
Local community centers
CRST Community Health Reps.
Tribal & County School
Systems
YMCAs and YMCA camps
Colleges and Universities
CRST Boys and Girls Club
Sacred Heart Single Mother Center
Eagle Butte Elder Manor
Financial:
No youth or adult is
turned away from any programs or services. We scholarship 99% of
our members/participants. Our programs and
operations are supported solely through contributions from
individuals, churches, other YMCAs, Y’s Men’s &
Women’s Groups, YMCA of USA World Service, NAFYR retirees, adult and
youth organizations, businesses and grant funds.
2007 Total Budget: $196,981
Full
scholarships to 99% of
members/participants
Cheyenne River
Sioux Tribe Statistics
(Dewey & Ziebach
counties)*:
Population: 8,684
Youth > 18 yrs.: 3,908
(45%)
Adults: 4,342
Elders 60 yrs.+: 434
Unemployment:
Available Labor Force at work: 53.5%
Economics:
At Poverty Level: 46%
Below poverty Level: 32%
Average poverty rate for other USA reservations is 39%
NO casino
NO public transport
Households:
Single parent mothers:
23%
Education:
Drop-out rate: 50%
Do not have high school/GED diploma:
29% over 25 yrs.
Teen Issues:
Teen Statistic Suicide: 3 times
national average
Alcohol related deaths: 17 times
national average
Teen Pregnancy: 28/1,000 (SD is
18/1,000)
Not in school / not working: 27% of
ages 16-19 yrs.
Obesity: 19% at risk & 27.8% overweight = 46.8%
Death Rates +/- All Races Rate:
Alcoholism 627% greater
Diabetes 249% greater
TB 533% greater
HIV 60% less
*www.nwaf.org; U.S. Census, 2000; Indian Health Service; Cheyenne
River Sioux Tribe (CRST)
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