When “The Hero Effect” returns to the Oprah Winfrey Network this Saturday, it will travel to South Dakota’s remote, 2.8-million-acre Cheyenne River Lakota reservation and shine a spotlight on the nonprofit Cheyenne River Youth Project. The episode is scheduled to air at 10 a.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. Central on OWN.
In this episode, viewers will have the opportunity to meet a variety of Cheyenne River community members, from elders and youth to the dedicated founder and executive director of CRYP, Julie Garreau.
“Julie has guided CRYP since it opened its doors nearly 30 years ago,” said Tammy Granados, youth programs director. “Thanks to her extraordinary vision, her willingness to work hard, her commitment to mentoring the next generation of Lakota leaders, and the boundless love she has for this community and its youth, we’re serving our second generation of children and have grown from a small, volunteer-run youth center to an entire campus. We’re so grateful that ‘The Hero Effect’ team discovered the woman who is a hero to so many people here—and throughout Indian country.”
“The Hero Effect” is an uplifting docu-series that tells the stories of ordinary individuals who are making extraordinary differences in communities across America. Made in partnership with United Way and shot on location, each episode celebrates everyday heroes who are changing lives and having a lasting impact on their community. The show is co-hosted by former Super Bowl and Dancing with the Stars champion Donald Driver and actress, advocate and philanthropist Emily Wilson.
“‘The Hero Effect’ team was amazing to work with,” Garreau said. “They were compassionate and respectful, and they fell in love with CRYP. They were so excited to see our organization receive a grant from the Donald Driver Foundation for our annual Christmas Toy Drive, ‘The Hero Effect sending kids and chaperones to CRYP, and KaBoom and United Way providing a new playground for The Main youth center.
“What an incredible way to honor our work of almost 30 years, and we shared all of this news with our community,” she continued. “Everyone has been so excited—particularly our younger children, when they heard about the new playground for The Main. The existing one was in very poor condition; it definitely was time to tear it down so we’d be ready for the new one. The kids can’t wait.”
To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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.