Thanks to generous contributions from Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, Tribal Ventures and countless individual supporters around the world, the Cheyenne River Youth Project® has raised approximately $91,000 to put toward much-needed renovations at its beloved “The Main” youth center on East Lincoln Street in Eagle Butte. According to CRYP Executive Director Julie Garreau, the current Main Rehabilitation Fund will provide an excellent foundation for rehabilitating the nearly 5,000-square-foot building, which opened its doors in 1999.
"Between all the kids and all the volunteers, that little youth center has seen a lot of use," Garreau said. "And now it needs more than routine maintenance. Our renovations are projected to cost upward of $120,000, but the funds we have in hand are more than enough to get started with the must-do items.
"We’ve already replaced the aging carpet with easy-to-clean tile flooring in the library and the volunteer quarters," she continued. "Now we need to finish that flooring work, purchase a new furnace and get busy with the rest of our list."
CRYP staff also plans to replace The Main’s front doors, as well as all other interior and exterior doors; repair and replace windows; replace light fixtures; and replace locks and other critical hardware. In addition, the not-for-profit youth project needs to replace dated kitchen appliances such as the freezer and dishwasher, which no longer are in optimal working condition.
"We are so grateful to our many partners for their help with The Main’s rehabilitation project," Garreau said. "Running Strong generously provided a $25,000 challenge grant, Tribal Ventures donated $25,000, we received $25,000 from an anonymous donor, and our many friends and supporters around the world — including an incredible number of former volunteers — provided another $20,000. It’s amazing, and humbling, to see how everyone came together to protect the little Main and give our kids the up-to-date facility they deserve."
For nearly 14 years, the youth center known affectionately as The Main has provided children ages 4-12 on South Dakota’s remote, 2.8-million-acre Cheyenne River reservation with a safe place to play, study and learn. Approximately 300 children come through its doors each month, ready to participate in innovative, fun programs, enjoy special events and parties, savor hot meals and healthy snacks, and simply hang out with friends.
In addition, The Main has been home to more than a decade’s worth of long-term volunteers from around the world. They live in The Main’s dormitory, prepare meals in its commercial kitchen and spend their off-hours in a cozy living area near the dorm rooms.
"Our former volunteers always tell us that The Main quickly became their home away from home," Garreau reflected. "And they rose to the challenge the minute they heard that The Main needed their help."
Now an essential part of the community, The Main began in a former bar on Eagle Butte’s Main Street in 1988. It was open seven days a week and run by an all-volunteer staff. In 1999, CRYP partnered with Running Strong for American Indian Youth® to build the new youth center on East Lincoln Street. Still known as The Main despite the changed location, this 4,560-square-foot facility includes a recreation room, library, commercial kitchen, counselor’s office, staff offices and volunteer living quarters.
Some of the organization’s ongoing activities include Main University, Garden Club, a literacy program, Recyclable Arts, Arts & Crafts and wellness/outdoor programs. In addition, children attending the Main receive healthy meals and snacks daily, receive homework help from volunteers, take field trips to movies and museums, enjoy lock-in sleepovers, attend annual basketball and dance camps, celebrate holidays with special parties and carnivals, receive gifts from Santa through the Christmas Toy Drive and even earn new bikes through the youth volunteer program.
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 www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit 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.