Special Events Include Art Classes, Exercise Classes, Guitar Giveaway, Live Music & Delicious Meals for up to 100 Children Daily
From Sunday, June 23 to Saturday, June 29, the Cheyenne River Youth Project® will host a native mission group from Colorado Springs. Led by Cheyenne River Sioux tribal member Deborah L. Smith, the group will provide a variety of fun activities and hearty meals for community members of all ages.
On Monday through Friday of that week, the group volunteers will lead three art classes featuring mosaic glass in the Cokata Wiconi teen center’s art studio. They also will lead five low-impact, aerobic exercise classes with dance/gym balls in the center’s full-size gymnasium.
“I’ve taught the Swiss balls for more than a decade with my German instructor,” Smith said. “They’re such a great way to get your heart rate up and have fun! We have 30 balls, and we’re going to make them available each day since the benefits are endless.”
In addition, the group volunteers are planning to host a special guitar giveaway, they’ve arranged for live music to take place each evening at Cokata Wiconi, and they also will serve five lunches and five dinners in the Keya Cafe. Monday is spaghetti night; Tuesday will be chicken enchiladas; Wednesday is chili night; Thursday will be macaroni and cheese; and Friday is pizza night.
“We’ve planned to feed up to 100 children each day with the lunches and dinners,” Smith said, “so we hope the kids turn out in big numbers! We’re excited. It’s going to be a lot of fun, from the mosaic glass classes and the low-impact ball aerobics to the meals and music we have planned.”
Smith and her husband, Steven, have been involved with CRYP for years, providing funds, food, cleaning supplies, school supplies, arts and crafts supplies, winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, dress clothes and even prom dresses for Passion for Fashion. Last year, they also got involved in fulfilling “Dear Santa” letters for the annual Christmas Toy Drive; 138 Cheyenne River children received gifts from generous individuals, families and organizations throughout the Colorado Springs and Denver metro areas.
“I’m the first generation born off the reservation, an urban Indian who is trying to help my community,” Smith observed. “I was raised by my grandmother to believe that, as an Indian, I am rich by what I give away, including my time to my community. I’m trying by example to raise my children and grandchildren to understand and maintain the same values. We must all give back to have a future in Indian country.”
For more information about the special programs and meals scheduled for the Colorado group’s visit, contact Tammy Eagle Hunter, youth programs director, at (605) 964-8200.
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.