EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. – The Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte, S. D., recently announced that it has been making scholarships available to cover rental fees at Cokata Wiconi, its new teen center. CRYP received a 2007 grant from Running Strong for American Indian Youth to support these scholarships, which total $21,500 and will be available throughout the 2008 fiscal year.
The scholarships are available to qualifying youth organizations that are unable to pay usage fees to rent activity or event space at Cokata Wiconi. The teen center’s gymnasium, Internet Cafe, dance studio, art studio and classrooms are popular among groups from the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and the nearby Standing Rock Reservation for rental.
”We’re grateful to Running Strong for making these scholarships available,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. ”We want Cokata Wiconi to be accessible to everyone – not only to our teenagers, but to area organizations that need space for special activities and events as well. Cokata Wiconi was built to be a community resource.”
Garreau explained that CRYP relies on grants and donations for all of its operating expenses as well as its youth programming. With the 2006 addition of Cokata Wiconi, the youth project saw a substantial increase in its yearly expenses; as a result, the organization is pursuing community-focused social enterprises to generate income. Rental fees, in addition to proceeds from the Internet Cafe, a gift shop and a weekly seasonal farmer’s market, will mean a reliable revenue stream for the youth project – ensuring sustainability into the future.
”Our project is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, and we want it to continue for another 20 and beyond,” Garreau said. ”For community programs, sustainability is the key; otherwise they disappear. Anyone who purchases produce from our farmer’s market, artwork from the gift shop, coffee from the Internet cafe or rental space in Cokata Wiconi is contributing to the long-term success – and survival – of our youth project on Cheyenne River.”
Eagle Butte-based CRYP operates ”The Main” youth center for 4- to 12-year-olds and the Cokata Wiconi teen center for 13- to 18-year-olds, maintains the 2 1/2-acre Winyan Toka Win garden and provides a broad range of family services to the community.
