What's summer like at CRIO?

We love spending time outside on long, sunny summer days!

Summer on the South Dakota prairie is hot. Long, sunny days are great for activities like grilling, swimming and picnics. We do everything we can to give the children at our Child Services Center these simple pleasures!

At CRIO’s Child Services Center, we help children from the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation ages 10-17 who have been abused and/or neglected. They are placed in our care because there’s no other safe place for them to go.

Our highly qualified team helps youth (primarily Native American, but we don’t discriminate based on heritage) heal physically, emotionally and mentally. Students in our program learn to develop balanced, healthy lives through strategically developed activities.

Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide them so much more!

Most of the children in our care have summer jobs or attend summer school. In addition, we have:

• Gone on a shopping trip for summer clothes. Our closest mall is 90 miles away, so it’s a whole days’ adventure! We’ll go again soon for school clothes.
• Spent a weekend at Devil’s Tower and enjoyed a tour, hiked the trail and learned the geological history of the area, as well as the traditional Native American story about the tower’s formation.

In August, a softball tournament will be held for local youth to raise awareness about substance abuse especially of meth and over-the-counter medications. All youth grades 8-12 will be invited to participate!

Some of our most urgent summer needs include:

• Bikes
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls
• Swim suits, all sizes for boys and girls

Thank you for your generosity!

Learn more about the services we offer for at-risk youth to help turn their lives around.