Programs of Dakota Youth Project

Programs

DYP "Support a Rezkid" Program	DYP Educational Programs	DYP Youth Home Program



DYP "Support a Rezkid" Program Many youth are in need of clothes, school supplies, money for school outings, Birthday & Christmas gifts, and for personal needs. Each month DPY will profile youth in need for supporters to sponsor. The youth come from families that are having hardships. Some may have parents trying to overcome their alcohol or drug addiction.

Right now we are presenting three Rezkids. They all had a sponsor who had to give up sponsorship, and they are looking for somebody new to support them.

"REZKID OF THE MONTH"

		Name: SAMUEL Age: 14 years Situation: We already presented Samuel on our website in spring 2009. He found a sponsor from Germany who unfortunately had to give up sponsorship due to personal reasons. Samuel is another kid that the Fast Wolf family takes care of. He is in the 10th grade at the school in Pine Ridge. Samuel likes video games, playing guitar and soccer. Needs he has: Samuel would like to have some Southpole clothes. It would also be great if he could find a new sponsor who will support him on a monthly basis. If you want to help, please send an Email for further details.

		Name: ATLANTA Age: 17 years Situation: We already presented Atlanta on our website in 2007. Back then she found a sponsor from Germany. Unfortunately her sponsor has to cease support due to personal reasons. Atlanta lives with her mother, her brother Richmond, who is also presented on this website again, her other siblings as well as cousins, nieces and nephews in a small house in the town of Pine Ridge. She is in the 10th grade at the school in Pine Ridge. Atlanta loves to do art work like drawing and painting. She likes to play basket ball and do bead work. Needs she has: Atlanta would like to have some clothes and shoes. It would also be great if she could find a new sponsor who will support her on a monthly basis. If you want to help, please send an Email for further details.

		Name: RICHMOND Age: 15 years Situation: We already presented Richmond on our website in 2007. Back then he found a sponsor from Germany. Unfortunately his sponsor has to cease support due to personal reasons. Richmond lives with his mother, his sister Atlanta, who is also presented on this website again, his other siblings as well as cousins, nieces and nephews in a small house in the town of Pine Ridge. He is in the 9th grade at the school in Pine Ridge. Richmond likes to ride his bycicle, hiking and beading. Needs he has: Richmond would like to have some clothes and shoes. It would also be great if he could find a new sponsor who will support him on a monthly basis. If you want to help, please send an Email for further details.

*Recently presented "Rezkid of the Month":*

		Name: JUSTIN Age: 13 years Situation: Justin is another one of the kids that found a permanent home with the Fast Wolf family. He is slightly handicapped due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. But his condition has improved over time. He is an 8th grader at the school in Red Shirt. Justin loves to be outdoors for playing, preferably with remote-controlled cars. He also helps with making wood and more, as long as it is outside. Needs he had: Justin would like to have some cars or planes to paly with. It would also be great if he could find a sponsor who will support him on a monthly basis. Outcome: Justin received some toys from Germany and Sweden. He also found a sponsor form Germany who will support him on a monthly basis.

		Name: SUMMER Age: 9 years Situation: Summer is the sister of Wiconi, who we presented last year. As reported earlier, the mother is taking care of her 7 kids and also 4 kids of her late sister. She has also her oldest daughter staying with her who has 2 toddlers of her own. Summer is in the 2nd grade at the school in Pine Ridge. She likes watching movies, picnics, animals, swimming and running. Needs she had: Summer wished for clothes, shoes and toys. Outcome: Summer found a sponsor from the U.S. who will support her on a monthly basis. She also received clothes and shoes. June 2009


		Name: SAMUEL Age: 14 years Situation: Samuel is also adopted by the Fast Wolf family. He is in the 9th grade at the school in Pine Ridge. He likes video games the most - like a lot of kids on the reservation. Needs he had: Samuel would really like to hava a PlayStation 3. Maybe several donors can help out with money to fullfill this wish. It would also be great if he could find a sponsor who will support him on a monthly basis. Outcome: Samuel found a sponsor from Germany who will support him on a monthly basis. We are still working to obtain the PS3 he is wishing for.

		Name: KIMBERLY Age: 11 years Situation: Kimberly is one of the children adopted by the Fast Wolf family. She is in the 5th grade at the school in Red Shirt. She likes music, puzzles, sports and crafting. Needs she has: Of all the things she lost in the fire, Kimberly misses her portable CD-player, CDs and clothes the most. She has a CD-Player by now. Outcome: Kimberly found a sponsor from Switzerland who will support her on a monthly basis. December 2008
		Name: AUSTIN Age: 13 years Situation: Austin is also adopted by the Fast Wolf family. He is in the 8th grade at the school in Red Shirt. He likes music, X-Box, mechanical toys, ball games and fishing. Needs he has: Of all the things he lost in the fire Austin misses his small TV, CDs and clothes the most. Outcome: Austin found a sponsor from Germany, who will support him on a monthly basis. He also received some money to buy what he wanted most. December 2008

		Name: MARTHA Age: 9 years Situation: Martha is raised by her grandmother, because her mother is deceased. There are 5 more kids living in this family. She is in the 4th grade at the school in Porupine. She likes Drawing/Coloring and Reading. Needs she had: Matha wished for new clothes. Outcome: Martha received the desired new outfit and found also a sponsor from Germany. August 2008
		Name: MARY PEARL Age: 10 years Situation: Mary Pearl is the sister of Sage, who we presented last time. She is in the 4th grade at the school in Porupine. She likes horseback riding and swimming. She also likes the craft lessons she is taking at school. Needs she had: Mary Pearl wished for new clothes and/or a Gameboy. She also hoped to find a sponsor who supports her on a monthly basis. Outcome: Mary Pearl received the clothes she wanted. She also found a sponsor from Germany who will support her on a monthly basis. June 2008

		Name: SAGE Age: 13 years Situation: Sage lives with his single mother, 5 siblings and 1 cousin in a housing area near Porcupine. He is in the 7th grade at the school in Porupine. He likes sports (mainly Basketball) and video games. Needs he had: Sage was wishing for a PS2 Playstation and games to go with it. He also needed a sponsor who supports him on a monthly basis. Our comment: Pine Ridge Reservation doesn’t offer a lot of recreational activities for youth. And even if there are some offers the kids don’t know how to get there because there is no public transportation. For most of the youth the things they can do at home is their only form of entertainment. This is why kids really like sports and video movies and games. Outcome: Sage received a used Playstation with some accessories from Germany. He also found a sponsor from Germany, who is supporting him on a monthly basis. April 2008


"Rezkids" of the years 2005 - 2007






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DYP Educational Projects

Workshops for youth

Drug and alcohol consumption are severe threats to the health of children/youth on the reservation. The young consumers are unaware of the risks they are dealing with. For example, the majority of youth who drink alcohol do not know that alcohol intoxication can kill.

Other consequences of drug/alcohol abuse can lead to school drop outs or trouble with the law. This will affect the future of the youth in a negative way.

Prevention through education is essential. DYP adds an important part to these educational needs with a constantly updated and expanded range of workshops. These are held in classrooms and throughout the communities.
All workshops include a PowerPoint presentation and handout material.

Topics of DYP workshops for youth are:

Alcohol Abuse & Alcohol Dependence
How To Manage Your Anger
Bad Ways To Use Tobacco
Facts About Marijuana
Risks of Methamphetamine use
Lakota History & Culture

DYP workshop "Facts About Marijuana" 2003

Traditional Teachings & Ceremonies

DYP offers traditional teachings and participation in traditional ceremonies provided by medicine people or ceremonial leaders.

Workshops for Parents, Educators and the Public

Workshops focus on topics such as "Legal Rights", "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects", "Lakota Family Values" and more.

If you would like to know how you can support this DYP project go to Support & Contact

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DYP Youth Home Project

Youth on the reservation face many day to day problems. The lack of parental support brings an increasing number of youth who are indoctrinated into gangs and eventually end up in the criminal justice system. The criminal backgrounds they acquire condemn them to a lifetime of abuse, discrimination and recidivism. To help youth at risk Dakota Youth Project is planning to build or establish youth homes that offer security, access to education, skills training and counseling based on traditional teachings. These youth homes will be run by a house manager or couple knowledgeable and experienced in Native American traditions, social work, parenthood and counseling. The youth will be encouraged to learn and practice traditional values and teachings that will serve as a source of strength to put up with problems and difficulties. DYP will also encourage youth to complete their education, join a job corps or seek employment. They will be invited to attend workshops as well as traditional teachings and ceremonies provided by DYP. Youth in need can stay at the DYP youth home until they have found other suitable homes and support.
Current situation: A project like this needs substantial funding. After looking around for almost two years for a land site for the planned first DYP youth home, the search is finally over. The family of DYP Board Member Edgar Bear Runner owns 160 acres of land near Porcupine Butte on the Pine Ridge Reservation, which was inherited from their grandparents. Edgar Bear Runner said that his grandparents would be honored to have their land used for a good cause like this. The land is currently given for lease, yet 2.5 acres can be taken out of the lease for building the planned DYP youth home. The Bear Runner family will later provide another portion of this land for DYP purposes if needed. Next steps will be to fence off the site, install a septic tank and drill a well.	Edgar Bear Runner shows the land site for the DYP youth home to Steve Robideau

If you would like to know how you can support this DYP project go to Support & Contact

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