2024 Achievements Made Possible by YOU
As we approach our annual fundraiser on South Dakota Gives Day (or Giving Tuesday nationwide) on December 3rd, 2024, we reflect on the impact of our programs throughout the year. The need remains great, but our goal is not to create a cycle of dependency. Instead, we aim to provide resources that help empower individuals, whether through education, material support, skills training, or financial aid.
These accomplishments are only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters. YOU make a huge difference in our ability to help as we do. Lakota Friends Circle (LFC) collaborates with several partner groups—Sew for Kids, For the Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, Pine Ridge Elders, and others—to maximize our collective impact. Our focus extends across three reservations in South Dakota: Rosebud, Pine Ridge, and Yankton Sioux.
Looking Ahead:
This year’s fundraiser on December 3rd, 2024, will focus on raising funds for our scholarship program. Your support can change lives, offering students the opportunity to earn a trade or college degree, opening doors to brighter futures. Meet our past and current recipients: https://www.lakotafriendscircle.org/south-dakota-gives-campaign/
Lakota Friends Circle could not do this important work without the support of our donors. Your generosity given in many forms, has made a profound difference, and we are deeply grateful for your trust in us and your continuing support. YOU have made it all possible.
Key Programs and Initiatives
Scholarships:
Our scholarship program continues to support students pursuing education or vocational training. With the first graduate since the program’s inception, we’re excited to expand this initiative and help more students achieve their dreams. Our goal is to support at least five students per semester, with more if additional funds are raised. Your past support has meant so much to these recipients who hopefully will have a better life going forward after graduation. THANK YOU for believing in a better future for these students. To make a donation for future scholarships, please go to our donation page.
Maternal and Child Health Programs:
Our baby programs on Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations provide essential resources like diapers, wipes, formula, and educational materials for moms and babies from pregnancy to age three. These programs offer prenatal and postnatal care, ensuring that mothers and babies in various districts and counties receive vital support, including medical appointments, WIC/TANF applications, and parenting guidance on a biweekly basis starting while pregnant and after delivery Prenatal and postnatal morbidity and mortality have increased in our nation especially in poorer areas due to lack of providers, services and hospitals. These programs continue because of the support you provide to them. THANK YOU for helping moms and babies receive good care and support from day 1. Help more babies with a monthly donation: Recurring Donations
Gather Our Children Home:
This program supports Native American children facing abuse, neglect, or in need of fostering, offering a safe, culturally appropriate environment. Since 2017, over 350 children have been helped, with services ranging from basic care to educational support. They work closely with Child Protection Services on the Rez. The organization struggles to meet all the financial needs that are required to take care of this at risk population . While they can pay worker salaries, the insurance, the licensing fees, can house them thanks to a free home from a district school, buy biweekly food, pay gas for their vehicles for getting to appts, shopping, the courts, they still need help from other organizations. Any emergency places a huge strain on their budget. Through your generous donations, both monetary and material , Lakota Friends Circle and its partners are able to supplement the monthly needs. We want this home to succeed as it is such a needed resource. With your continuous support we provide snacks, perishable food items that save them from multiple trips to the city 75 miles away, for bread milk and eggs that are supplied locally, help with phone and internet service and occasionally propane, send clothing for the ever changing clientele, linens and towels, as well as toiletries, diapers, formula,( WIC helps) cleaning supplies, hygiene products. Other organizations or individuals help with other unmet needs. YOU so make a difference to these children so that they can live in a safe environment free from the harm they came from. THANK YOU. Choose a one-time or a monthly donation.
School Support:
Lakota Friends Circle and our partners – Sew For Kids helps supply Marty Elementary on the Yankton Sioux Reservation, while For the Children of Pine Ridge supports Rosebud Elementary. LFC also runs a healthy snack program twice per week, thanks to our doll program) as the school only gives them 3 times per week, storing the food in classroom fridges (provided by one of our donors) and sends essential items like lice treatment, Kleenex, hand sanitizers, hygiene items, etc. monthly. Also donors help kids celebrate with a party on special occasions. Our SFK partner group provides 2 room parents from K-grade 5, getting needed items to teachers for fun and enriching programs. and provides items for a school store where kids can get school supplies, toys, books, seasonal clothing, shoes, hygiene and sanitary items The group sends items for the Christmas store and throughout the year.
For the Friends of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations sends fun and needed items throughout the year for the 350 plus elementary school students and makes a special effort to send a wonderful Christmas bag for each of the kids and staff.
Material and monetary donations make it possible for these 2 school programs to exist. THANK YOU for your help.
White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society:
On Rosebud, LFC partners with this shelter, providing diapers, wipes, toiletries, and clothing for families and other items affected by domestic violence. They have other supporters as well but we like helping as they provide educational programs and community services while providing a safe refuge for women or men and their children. THANK YOU for helping to keep these victims safe and for giving them a safe haven to get their lives back together and free from the abuse that brought them there.
Wanblee Child, Youth, and Elder Program:
LFC supports this program with food, toiletries, and utility bills, helping families and individuals in need. We send items throughout the year and gifts at Christmas. The 3 trailers that our supporters donated money to, to move them from Pine Ridge Village to a Wanblee location, are finally being repaired and readied for families, with the first one completed and given to a disabled man and his family. Better late than never as they say!
Maggie’s House:
In partnership with Reservation Outreach, LFC contributed to repairs for Maggie’s House, a shelter for homeless youth and young adults. Though the opening has been delayed, we are committed to helping provide a safe space for youth in need when the home opens for live-ins. The house is open for day to day help or education programs. THANKS to the donors who made these repairs possible. The youth needs this space.
Bombas Sock Program:
We want to give a shout out to the BOMBAS company that supplies us with 5000 pairs of socks in various sizes that we distribute to all of our programs on a yearly basis. Socks and underwear are a frequent requested item and their gift helps us fulfill that need. Thank you BOMBAS!
