Grant for Cheyenne River Youth Project
Film by Passenger Productions
Born from a desire to transform a notorious main street bar into a drug- and alcohol-free space for the community’s youth, the Cheyenne River Sioux Youth Project has become an essential part of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Cheyenne River Sioux Youth Project now not only provides safe places for teens to gather but also offers a venue for youth to learn valuable employment and life skills.
Living in one of the poorest communities in the nation, youth on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation face numerous social challenges including suicide, gangs and addiction. In an effort to tackle these challenges, Cheyenne River Sioux Youth Project created one of the country’s leading examples of effective youth development, with a youth center, garden, art park, emergency services, and social enterprise employment opportunities. Its Teen Internship Program teaches comprehensive life skills necessary for all careers, helps youth be college-ready, and advances knowledge in arts, culture, health, entrepreneurship and finance.
Strong, creative and resourceful, Cheyenne River Sioux Youth Project builds a thriving community. Leaders regularly listen to youth and their families to ensure programs are both culturally relevant and responsive to contemporary issues.
