Lakota Friends Circle Annual Report 2023

At Lakota Friends Circle (LFC), we take pride in sharing our achievements and the impact of our programs over the past year. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, we rely on the generous support of our donors, both monetary and in-kind, to sustain our various initiatives. Our valued partners include Sew For Kids Volunteers, Ravelry group For the Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, Pine Ridge Elders group, and contributors from the former Halfknits group.

Program Highlights:

1) Scholarship Program:

Providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education or vocational training. We provided 7 scholarships last year.

2) Gather Our Children Home (WGO):

Offering emergency care and foster services for abused and neglected children aged 0-12. They can have up to 12 kids at a time.

3) Bright Start:

Supporting pregnant mothers and infants up to 3 years old with home visitations, education, and essential resources. They serve 25-30 patients per month.

4) Rosebud Sioux Tribe Maternal and Child Health Program:

Offering education and resources for high-risk pregnant women and their babies up to 2 years old. They serve 30-45 clients per month.

5) Maggie’s House:

Supporting high-risk youth aged 16-25 with essential items, education, housing, and life skills. They have 6 live in clients at one time and also have an education outreach program.

6) Nursing Home in White Clay, Nebraska:

Assisting with the needs of elderly residents. Up to 60 elders.

7) Veterans Home on Pine Ridge Reservation:

Providing support and resources for veterans. 6-13 at one time.

8)Reservation Outreach:

Serving communities such as Red Shirt and Oglala with essential resources and project support. They serve up to 400 people yearly.

9) Juvenile Detention Center:

Offering assistance and resources for youth on the Rosebud Reservation. Number varies re clients helped.

10) Rosebud Elementary School:

Supporting educational needs for over 300 students and gifts for 50 staff members.

11) Marty Indian School:

Assisting with resources and support for the school serving 75-95 students on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Teachers are also assisted with items through the room parent from a far program.

12) White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Society:

Providing a safe haven for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, as well as supporting the wider community. Can house 40 clients in the main house and use motels for men or boys 16 and over and have a few trailers for families.

13) Wanblee Programs for Children, Youth, and Elders:

Distributing essential items based on community needs. They serve 42 elders and 230-250 individuals at the NAHA drop offs.

14) Ruby’s Homeless Program:

While no longer active due to Ruby’s passing, it provided food and essential items to the homeless. Client numbers varied based on need.

Program	Budget Proposal	Actual expenses
Administrative Costs	$5,000	$4,255
Bright Start	$5,000	$4,141
RST Maternal and Child	$5,000	$6,581
Scholarship Program	$5,000	$7,000
Marty Indian School	$5,000	$2,482
Ruby’s Homeless Program	$4,000	$3,832
Veteran’s Home	$500	$140
Maggie’s House	$1,000	$177
Wanblee Programs	$3,000	$2,780
Rosebud School	$500	N/A
Foster Home	$5,000	$29,326.57
New Programs	$10,000	N/A
Reservation Outreach	N/A	$2,634
WBCWS	N/A	$712
Total Expenses	$49,000	$64,060.57

Financial Overview:

In 2023, Lakota Friends Circle began with $49,119.60, bolstered by a successful Giving Tuesday fundraiser and remaining funds from a previous church donation. Total funds raised amounted to $59,742.01, with expenditures totaling $63,958.21 exceeding the budgeted amount of $49,000 because we helped with the consulting fees for the foster home which ended in April 2023. The surplus amount we have left at the end of each year is essential to address unforeseen needs that arise throughout the year.

Our partner groups, including ForThe Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, Pine Ridge Elders, and Sew For Kids Volunteers, have provided invaluable in-kind donations. These include essential items such as clothing, blankets, toys, toiletries, household items, and educational supplies, enriching the lives of those we serve.

Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Project:

The Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Project, in its 9th year, exceeded its goal of 500 dolls/ animals by sending 705 items to various sites, benefiting communities across Pine Ridge and Rosebud and Yankton Sioux Reservations. Additionally, $818.95 was donated to the Marty Indian School Snack Fund through doll clothing sales.

Conclusion:

The support of our donors, volunteers, and partner organizations has been instrumental in achieving our mission of providing aid and support to communities in need. The substantial in-kind donations reflect the generosity and compassion of our supporters, enabling us to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to our efforts in 2023.

Please see what each of our partner groups donated in the following sections.

For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations

Organization	Items
Nursing Home	65 hats, 29 gloves, 60 blankets, 17 lap afghans, 21 scarves, 444 holiday greeting cards
Maggie’s House	Healthy snacks, clothing, toiletries
Bright Start	Clothes, toys, diapers, blankets, wipes, towels, hats, socks, mittens, teething helpers
Rosebud School	Christmas bags with a love hug, toy, healthy snacks, books, school and office supplies, teachers’ supplies, toiletries, shoes, clothing
White Buffalo	Baby clothes, kids clothes, women’s clothes, household goods, toys, toiletries, snacks, sewing machines
Red Shirt	Clothes, toiletries, household items, toys, shoes, graduation gift bags, Christmas gift bags
Veteran’s Shelter	Clothes, food, toiletries, household items, greeting cards, books, games, art supplies, medical supplies
Ruby	Utility bills paid each month, food, clothing, household items, toiletries, Easter baskets, camera
Juvenile Detention Center	Books

Pine Ridge Elders

Location	Items
Allen Youth Center	28 children’s hats, 5 throws, 4 sweaters
Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home	26 hats, 5 hats/neck warmers, 11 shawls, 1 throw
Red Shirt	35 children’s hats, 10 sweaters, 12 throws, 15 shawls for elders, 15 hats for elders
Veterans Homeless Shelter	13 throws, 13 hats/neck warmers
Wanblee Child, Youth and Elder Program	9 throws, 40 adult hats, 15 baby blankets, 86 children’s hats, 20 scarves, 5 pairs of slippers, 1 poncho, 50 hat/neck warmer sets, 9 throws
Misc Families	27 hats, 1 throw, 2 sweaters

Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Donations

SFK Site	Reservation	# Items
Bright Start	Pine Ridge	23
Gather Our children Home	Pine Ridge	75
Maggie’s House	Pine Ridge	2
Reservation Outreach	Pine Ridge	62
Wanblee Child, Youth & Elder Health	Pine Ridge	162
Rosebud Sioux Tribal Maternal & Child Health	Rosebud	7
White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society	Rosebud	208
Marty Indian School	Yankton	166
Total Items		705

The 705 items included: 159 fashion dolls ,205 child dolls , 16 baby dolls. 72 activity bags, 253 other dolls.

Sew For Kids Volunteers Donations

Category	Kids	Babies	Adults	Total
Pants/Jeans	634	165	201	974
Shirts/Tops	650	375	230	1255
Dress	148	N/A	N/A	148
Hoodies/Sweatshirts	150	83	74	307
Coats/Jackets	177	88	17	282
Baby Sleepers	N/A	313	N/A	313
PJs	206	155	67	428
Onesies	N/A	241	N/A	241
Socks	239	169	141	549
Shoes	170	36	77	283
Winter hats	227	72	60	359
Gloves/mittens	200	9	22	231
Boots	101	4	53	158
Underwear	750	67	162	979
Totals	3652	1777	1104	6533

Additional – Socks: 5000 pairs from Bombas

Category	Total
Blanket/Quilt	619
Sheets	86
Towels	130
Washcloths	167
Pillows	26
Pillowcases	97
Total	1125

Miscellaneous	Total
Backpacks	120
Tote bags	300
Books	250
Moms Toiletry Bags	109
Total	779

Category	Total
Household Linens	506
Blankets	619
Clothing	2616
Coats/Outerwear	589
PJs	741
Accessories	590
Footwear	441
Underwear/Socks	1528
Books and bags	779
Total	8409

This list does not include party items, room parent items, etc.