The Cheyenne River Youth Project is on track to serve several hundred children with this year’s School Supplies Distribution. On Thursday, Aug. 14, CRYP distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to 292 children at its Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) teen center in Eagle Butte, and staff members continue to work with the local community to ensure that Cheyenne River’s children have everything they need for the new school year.
CRYP is still providing backpacks and supplies to families who were unable to attend the distribution event. In addition, through mid-September, the youth project will provide supplies to Cheyenne River schools that request them.
“In recent years, we have connected with hundreds of additional children through late pickups and connecting with schools,” said Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs manager. “In a typical year, our final number is close to 500 students.
“We are deeply grateful to UMCOR (Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief) as well as to every individual donor who made a financial or in-kind contribution to this program,” she continued. “Whether you donated supplies or funds, you helped make the first day of school a happy one for our children.”
The Native-led nonprofit youth organization has been providing school supplies to children ages 4 to 18 for decades. Many Lakota families on the Cheyenne River reservation simply don’t have the room in their household budgets to purchase school supplies each year for their children.
“We want to provide support to those families so they can help meet this critical need,” Widow said.
The annual School Supplies Drive is a major component of CRYP’s long-running Family Services program, which was created in 2002. This important initiative provides access to school supplies, shoes, winter clothing, household supplies, baby items, and the beloved Wo Otuh’an Wi (Moon of Giving Away Presents) Toy Drive, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary this holiday season.
Memberships are available for $30 per family, with a discounted $25 rate offered Sept. 2 to Nov. 1 to encourage families to join the program in time for the toy drive. Membership provides year-round access to all of CRYP’s Family Services distributions. What’s more, families who renew between now and Nov. 1 also will receive a bucket of free cleaning supplies.
For information or to sign up, visit lakotayouth.org/programs/family-services or call (605) 964-8200.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.