Cheyenne River Indian Outreach | St. Joseph's Indian School

What are the holidays like at Cheyenne River Indian Outreach?

I am thankful for my food and everyone else’s, because we are very lucky to get fed good and have food every day without worry.
— Client, 9th grade

Winter on the South Dakota prairie is cold and windy. Winter days — especially during the holiday season — are great for spending time together with indoor activities like baking and watching movies. We do everything possible to give the children at our Child Services Center the simple pleasures of the holidays like decorating, caroling and even wrapping a gift or two!

We do everything possible to give the children at our Child Services Center the simple pleasures of the holidays.
We do everything possible to give the children at our Child Services Center the simple pleasures of the holidays like decorating, caroling and even wrapping a gift or two!

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

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!

Thanksgiving weekend, students and staff helped with the local Parade of Lights. This is one of our students’ favorite community events! They helped set up tables, prepare dinner, serve and clean up.

After a busy, festive Thanksgiving weekend, preparations begin for Christmas! Some of our activities include:

  • A trip to Pierre, South Dakota (100 miles away), to see the State Capital Christmas Tree display
  • A day of sledding, hot cocoa and snacks
  • Ice skating
  • Baking cookies and delivering to the elderly
  • Making gingerbread houses and other Christmas crafts
  • Decorating the tree together with stringed popcorn
  • Volunteering at the Department of Social Services to help wrap presents
  • Attending the Christmas party at the Department of Social Services
  • A special Christmas Eve celebration
  • Attending Christmas church services
  • Christmas Day dinner and gift exchange

Your generosity makes all these things possible. Pilamayathank you!

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

 

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