The Cheyenne River Youth Project announced today that it will host two major public events on its Eagle Butte campus in August.
The first event, a special open house at “The Main,” will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11. Then, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, CRYP will distribute school supplies to hundreds of Cheyenne River children at its Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life) Teen Center.
Open House
The open house gives local families an opportunity to explore The Main, CRYP’s free drop-in youth center for children ages 4 to 12. The Main offers after-school programming, snacks and a nutritious evening meal every day, Monday to Friday.
During the hourlong event, families can meet the staff, take a tour of the youth center, learn more about its enriching programs, and enjoy kid-friendly activities and light refreshments. The staff will have door prizes for guests, as well.
“We’re looking forward to introducing The Main to parents and caregivers who might be looking for a daily after-school program or even just an occasional drop-in spot,” said Hayley Dupris, CRYP’s youth center manager. “All interested families are welcome to stop by and see what we’re all about!”
The Main was home to CRYP’s original programming. In fall 1988, the nonprofit youth organization opened its doors in a former Main Street bar, and it remained entirely volunteer-run for nearly 12 years.
“Our kids needed safe spaces, positive role models and mentors, and programs that would give them new opportunities to learn and grow,” said CEO Julie Garreau, who founded the organization and volunteered in her role as executive director for the first 12 years.
“Today, we are serving our second generation of children, and we have an incredible staff here at CRYP who are deeply dedicated to our kids, families and community,” she continued. “We have grown significantly over our nearly four decades of life, but The Main remains close to our hearts. It is our first interaction with our community’s children, and so much magic happens there.”
This summer’s activities have included Walking Club, Bike Club, Garden Club, a Youth Basketball Camp, monthly birthday parties, and Lakota language and culture. The kids have been working in their own youth sensory garden, and this week, Dupris and her team are launching Main University, an award-winning children’s program.
School Supplies Distribution
Three days after the open house, CRYP will host its annual School Supplies Distribution, a major component of its Family Services program. Families may pick up school supplies for their children at the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14.
To participate, all a local family needs to do is pay a $30 annual membership fee, which covers all family members for the year. The membership provides access to school supplies, shoes, winter clothing, household supplies, baby items and holiday gifts.
“All members of our Family Services program will be receiving cards in the mail for the August distribution,” advised Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs director. “To receive school supplies, families must bring their children with them, along with their Family Services card.
“If a family doesn’t have a current membership but would like to sign up so they can participate in the distribution, all they need to do is contact us at (605) 964-8200,” she continued.
The grassroots, 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.
Families who are unable to attend the Aug. 14 distribution may contact CRYP to arrange pickup at another time. The youth project also coordinates with teachers in schools across Cheyenne River to ensure that their specific classroom needs are met.
Each year, CRYP serves more than 500 schoolchildren through the School Supplies Distribution. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of partners and friends across the country, Widow said.
“Supporters can still make a difference for this year’s distribution,” she added. “We definitely need more pens, folders and highlighters for our high school students, and we’re looking for more pencil cases for all ages.”
Supporters also can contribute funds through the website at lakotayouth.org/give. Staff members will do any additional shopping that might be required.
All contributions need to be in-house no later than Monday, Aug. 11. This gives the CRYP team time to organize supplies and prepare for hundreds of excited children.
If supplies arrive after the deadline, however, the youth project will continue to collect and distribute them as needed during the final weeks of summer and the first weeks of the new school year.
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.