Organization: CHEYENNE RIVER YOUTH PROJECT INC
Mission: TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING INNOVATIVE YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND FAMILY SERVICES.
Activities: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING MANY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH ON THE RESERVATION. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: DAILY ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY, PROVIDING A HEALTHY OUTLET FOR CHILDREN, AND HELPING THEM DISCOVER THEIR TALENTS. DAILY WELLNESS ACTIVITIES INCORPORATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH RECREATION AND MENTORSHIP. VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE AND PLANT LIFE AND TO APPRECIATE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF PREPARE ACTIVITIES THAT HELP CHILDREN WORK OFF EXCESS ENERGY AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO RECONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS. DAILY LITERACY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A LIBRARY HOUR DURING WHICH CHILDREN CAN CHOOSE TO READ A BOOK QUIETLY OR WORK WITH A VOLUNTEER OR STAFF ON READING AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM HELPS KEEP CHILDREN'S READING SKILLS ACTIVE. MAIN UNIVERSITY IS AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE CHILDREN'S CURRENT EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION IN SCHOOL WITH A SERIES OF VOLUNTEER-INSTRUCTED CLASSES ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS. CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT GARDENING SKILLS IN THE WINYAN TOKA WIN GARDEN AND ARE INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE GARDEN FROM PLANTING AND WEEDING TO WATERING AND HARVESTING. CHILDREN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY CLASSES THAT ADDRESS VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS PROPER TECHNIQUES AND TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL METHODS. COKATA WICONI (CENTER OF LIFE) TEEN CENTER ADDRESSES THE ISSUES OF GANG VIOLENCE, DRUG USE, AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY, AND HELPS KIDS DEVELOP VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:ARTS - TEENS DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS THROUGH A RANGE OF PROJECTS INCLUDING PAINTING MURALS ON THE TEEN CENTER CEILING TILES AND ON PUBLIC TRASH CANS USED THROUGHOUT EAGLE BUTTE; CREATING BANNERS, MURALS, AND PARADE FLOATS; AND STAGING A TEEN ART SHOW THAT SHOWCASES THEIR WORK. THE PROJECT ALSO HOLDS A YEARLY POWWOW AT THE DANCE STUDIO AND USES THE STUDIO AS A PRACTICE AREA FOR ACTING WORKSHOPS.LITERACY - THE PROJECT HAS A BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY STOCKED WITH BOOKS TO ENCOURAGE, EDUCATE, AND INSPIRE TEENS. AS PART OF THE ORAL HISTORY INITIATIVE, TEEN PARTICIPANTS RECORD AND TRANSCRIBE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WITH ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE STORIES OF STRENGTH AND SURVIVAL TO SHARE. THE STORIES ARE ARCHIVED IN THE LIBRARY FOR NEW GENERATIONS OF COKATA WICONI VISITORS TO REFERENCE.WELLNESS - THE PROJECT OFFERS OPEN GYM EVERY AFTERNOON WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE THE BASKETBALL COURT AND FITNESS EQUIPMENT. THE PROJECT SPONSORS MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL ON FRIDAYS FROM 10 P.M. TO 2 A.M. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHERE TEENS CAN PLAY BASKETBALL OR HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS IN A SUPERVISED, CONTROLLED AREA. PASSION FOR FASHION - THIS PROGRAM HELPS GIRLS TO DISCOVER THEIR OWN PERSONAL STYLE, WHILE WORKING ON THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AND INDIVIDUAL GOALS. EVERY MARCH, THE PROJECT HOLDS A "DRESS DRIVE" DURING WHICH FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES SEND THEIR GENTLY-USED EVENING AND FORMAL WEAR, AS WELL AS ACCESSORIES, TO CHEYENNE RIVER. YOUNG LADIES BENEFIT FROM THAT GENEROSITY, AND ENJOY AN EVENING OF FUN, FASHION TIPS, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH POSITIVE FEMALE ROLE MODELS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
FAMILIES CAN PURCHASE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WHICH ALLOW ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HYGIENE AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS. FAMILIES MAY QUALIFY FOR CLEANING SUPPLIES, FURNITURE, CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND DIAPERS.
NTEE category: Youth Development
Secondary category: Human Services