About the Nonprofit
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Our organization's mission is to empower locally-led, long-lasting youth ministry and development programs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has some of the most at-risk youth in the country, driven by a poor economy, rampant drug use, and widespread gang activity. Though the Lakota youth population receives a large amount of programming and direct aid, this is primarily from outside-the-reservation organizations that create a very transactional relationship with the youth. It is no surprise that youth outcomes have remained largely unchanged for 30+ years.
We believe the path to better outcomes for the youth in Pine Ridge is through the empowered local population, specifically empowered leaders of youth programs. Our organization provides training, funding, and leadership development opportunities to these leaders so that they can provide the consistency and love all youth need to grow.
Last year was our first year of operation and we were able to deploy over $10,000 in youth program development with our network of local leaders: Some of the highlights (more on our website at eagleswingspr.org) :
- Hosted the first annual Lakota Youth Leader Leadership Retreat in Rapid City, SD (say that ten times fast!)
- Established a mini-grant program and funded $6,000 in youth activities dreamed of and led by local adult leaders
- Fully funded 40 Lakota campers to attend summer camp at Byron Bible Camp