Christian Relief Services Charities Inc

WE GIVE AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES THE TOOLS AND HOPE TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE.

FOOD, WATER, AND CRITICAL NEEDS - (PINE RIDGE AND CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATIONS IN SOUTH DAKOTA, NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION IN ARIZONA, MENOMINEE INDIAN RESERVATION IN WISCONSIN AND OTHER NATIVE COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE). ALL CHILDREN NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD TO GROW AND THRIVE. IMPOVERISHED ECONOMIC REALITIES OF RURAL AND RESERVATION LIFE CHALLENGE MANY AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES TO MEET THEIR CHILDREN'S BASIC NEEDS. RUNNING STRONG IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING NATIVE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FAMILY'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE A HEALTHY START.(SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)RUNNING STRONG CONTINUED INCREASING OUR SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL NEEDS WITH FOOD AND WATER CONNECTIONS, AS WELL AS WITH THOUSANDS OF BRAND NEW INKIND ITEMS TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.FOOD REMAINS A RUNNING STRONG PRIORITY AS WE WORK HARD TO FEED CHILDREN WHO MAY OTHERWISE GO HUNGRY. USING OUR PINE RIDGE FIELD OFFICE WAREHOUSE, RUNNING STRONG DONATED 10,676 DRY AND FROZEN FOOD BOXES TO FEED FAMILIES ON THE PINE RIDGE AND CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATIONS, ALONG WITH 16,371.35 LBS OF TURKEYS FOR THANKSGIVING AND 15,075.10 LBS OF FROZEN HAMS FOR CHRISTMAS. EACH FOOD BOX WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS. AND HAD ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO FEED A FAMILY OF FOUR OR A WEEK.AFTER TEACHERS TOLD US STUDENTS RETURNED TO SCHOOL AFTER WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL BREAKS LISTLESS AND HUNGRY, WE STARTED OUR WEEKEND/SCHOOL BREAK BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM. ON CHEYENNE RIVER, WE DONATE BAGS FILLED WITH FOOD TO TAKINI SCHOOL CHILDREN OVER WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL BREAKS WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES AND BREAKFASTS (175 STUDENTS PER WEEK, 4,200 SACKS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED). WE ALSO SUPPORT A BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM ON THE STANDING ROCK RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA, SERVING HEALTHY "SMART SACKS" FOR THE ENTIRE WAKPALA SCHOOL (180 CHILDREN PER WEEK, 5,760 SACKS OF FOOD). KIDS WERE NOT ONLY KEPT FROM BEING HUNGRY, THEY BECAME INVOLVED IN BUILDING THE FOOD BAGS AS A WAY TO EARN VOLUNTEER HOURS.AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS, RUNNING STRONG SERVED A HEALTHY SACK LUNCH TO CHEYENNE RIVER KIDS IN THREE COMMUNITIES SO THAT THESE KIDS HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT DURING THEIR SUMMER VACATION WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A FREE SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST. THIS SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM SERVED 15,006 MEALS TO CHILDREN AT 3 SITES OVER 11 WEEKS, SERVING BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SAFELY TO AN AVERAGE OF 146 KIDS PER DAY.RUNNING STRONG ALSO SUPPORTS ORGANIC GARDENING EFFORTS AS COMMUNITIES WORKED TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD. IN FY22, WE CONTINUED TO INVEST IN THE OYATE TECA (YOUTH NATION'S) MEDICINE ROOT GARDENING PROGRAM, WHICH IS ALSO THE SITE OF ONE OF OUR FIELD OFFICES ON THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA.RUNNING STRONG CONTINUES TO PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT FOR OYATE TECA'S NINE-MONTH GARDEN EDUCATION CLASSES WHICH HOW TO GROW, HARVEST, PREPARE AND EAT FRESH PRODUCE ON PINE RIDGE. A BIG PART OF THE CLASS IS HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION AND THE TOOLS TO PLAN & PLANT YOUR OWN GARDEN, AND PROVIDING THE TOOLS, SEEDLINGS AND FENCING TO PLANT 30 STUDENT GARDENS ALONG WITH THE EXTENSIVE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN AND GREENHOUSES LOCATED BY THE OYATE TECA COMMUNITY CENTER. IN 2022, OYATE TECA'S GARDENERS GREW 18 TONS OF FRESH PRODUCE (NOT INCLUDING THE WINTER SQUASH AND FALL PUMPKINS) WHICH WAS SOLD AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS, AS WELL AS GIFTED AND COMPOSTED. GARDEN STUDENTS ALSO SELL THEIR PRODUCE AT THE FARMER'S MARKET, AND SALES OF THEIR OWN GROWN PRODUCE PROVIDED NEEDED INCOME AND INCREASED THE QUALITY OF FOOD OFFERINGS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE MEDICINE ROOT GARDEN ALSO LAUNCHED ITS MOBILE MARKET PROGRAM. GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, GETTING TO WHERE HIGH-QUALITY FRESH PRODUCE IS AVAILABLE CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING, WITH THE CLOSEST GROCERY STORY NEARLY 80 MILES AWAY, OFF THE RESERVATION. THE MOBILE MARKET, EQUIPPED WITH A GENERATOR, REFRIGERATION, SHELVING, AND AIR CONDITIONING, TRAVELS OUT TO HARDER TO REACH LOCATIONS ON THE RESERVATIONS THREE DAYS A WEEK, STOPPING AT THREE LOCATIONS ON THE RESERVATION AND TRAVELING NEARLY 100 MILES TO REACH RESIDENTS. THE MOBILE MARKET OFFERS THE GARDEN PRODUCE FROM THE SUMMER HARVEST AND THE SURPLUS OF PRODUCE FROM THE COMMUNITY GARDENERS WHO GO THROUGH THE GARDEN CLASSES.WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR LONG-TERM SUPPORT OF SLIM BUTTES AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WHICH PLANTS AND DISTRIBUTES SEEDLINGS THROUGHOUT PINE RIDGE. RUNNING STRONG GRANTS ALSO SUPPORTED THE YUCHI LANGUAGE PROJECT'S TRADITIONAL FOODS GARDEN IN SAPULPA, OK AND THE BRAVE HEART SOCIETY'S GARDENS AND MEDICINAL PLANTS AT YANKTON IN LAKE ANDES, SD.CRITICAL IN-KIND NEEDS - IN ADDITION TO HEALTHY MEALS AND FOOD, IN FY22, RUNNING STRONG ALSO DISTRIBUTED THE FOLLOWING NEW ITEMS TO HELP NEEDY AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDREN:2,989 ELEMENTARY #STUDYSTRONG BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES (24 CT. CRAYONS, ERASER, GLUE STICK, NOTEBOOK, PEN, NO. 2 PENCILS, RULER, PENCIL SHARPENER, 5" SCISSORS, PAPER), 2,020 JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL #STUDYSTRONG BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES (2 POCKET FOLDERS, NOTEBOOKS, LOOSE LEAF PAPER, ERASERS, COLORED PENCILS, PROTRACTORS, GLUE STICKS, NO. 2 PENCILS, RULER, HIGHLIGHTERS, RED & BLACK PENS, CALCULATOR, PENCIL POUCH, PENCIL SHARPENER) SO NATIVE STUDENTS HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.1,500 #WARMSTRONG ADULT COATS WITH HOODS, 3,000 #WARMSTRONG KIDS' COATS WITH HOODS, 4,175 #WARMSTRONG KIDS' GLOVES, 1,224 #WARMSTRONG ADULT GLOVES, 5,295 WINTER SOCKS AND 2,000 BLANKETS TO STAY SAFE AND WARM DURING HARSH WINTER WEATHER.504 PAIRS OF #RUNSTRONG TODDLER ATHLETIC SHOES, 1,800 PAIRS OF #RUNSTRONG KIDS' SHOES, 1,800 PAIRS OF #RUNSTRONG ADULT ATHLETIC SHOES, AND 5,148 PAIRS OF ATHLETIC SOCKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO NATIVE YOUTH JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS. ESSENTIAL (AND EXPENSIVE) BASICS INCLUDING 23,078 #SMILESTRONG DIAPERS AND 3,000 #SMILESTRONG DENTAL KITS (WITH TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, FLOSSERS AND A TIMER) WERE DONATED FOR BETTER CHILD AND ORAL HEALTH, WHICH OFTEN SUFFERS IN IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES. ALONG WITH DISTRIBUTIONS DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES ON PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, THESE BRAND-NEW ITEMS (LISTED ABOVE) WERE DONATED TO MEET CRITICAL NEEDS TO 18 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN 10 STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THESE YOUTH SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM PARTNERS INCLUDED DIRECT DISTRIBUTION ON PINE RIDGE RESERVATIONS, BIILUUKE STRONG ON THE CROW RESERVATION IN MONTANA, BRUSHY CHEROKEE ACTION ASSOCIATION, YUCHI LANGUAGE PROJECT, RURAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE FOUNDATION, AND CHEROKEE NATION FOUNDATION IN OKLAHOMA, DENVER INDIAN CENTER AND DENVER INDIAN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER IN COLORADO, INDIAN YOUTH OF AMERICA IN IOWA, IOWA TRIBE OF KS & NE IN KANSAS, NEBO TITLE VI INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM AND PROVO CITY SCHOOLS IN UTAH, INTERFAITH ACTION DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN WORK IN MINNESOTA, KEYA FOUNDATION, JOE FOSS AT AXTELL PARK, AND SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SOUTH DAKOTA, SACRED PIPE RESOURCE CENTER AND SPIRIT LAKE TRIBAL HEALTH IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND TODAY WE FOLLOW TOMORROW WE LEAD IN ARIZONA. WATER - WATER IS A CRITICAL NEED AND THERE ARE STILL FAMILIES LIVING WITHOUT ACCESS TO SAFE RUNNING WATER ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS. ON THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, OGLALA LAKOTA FAMILIES CAN LIVE WITHIN YARDS OF THE MNI WICONI (WATER IS LIFE) WATER LINE WITHOUT FUNDS TO SAFELY HOOK UP TO IT. IN FY22, RUNNING STRONG'S PINE RIDGE WATER PROJECT PROVIDED HYDRANTS, WATER CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING REPAIRS AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS TO 34 FAMILIES SO THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE WITHOUT WATER (183 PEOPLE SERVED, 95 OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN). SOME OF THESE OGLALA FAMILIES HAD LIVED WITHOUT RUNNING WATER FOR 17 YEARS OR HAD TO HAUL IT FROM UP TO 20 MILES AWAY.SAFE AND WARM HOMES - RUNNING STRONG IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR NATIVE FAMILIES, INCLUDING THEIR OWN HOMES. WINTERS ON THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION CAN BE BRUTAL WITH WINDCHILL TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS 40 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. IT'S DANGEROUS COLD. TO HELP STRETCH DOLLARS DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME, RUNNING STRONG MATCHES OGLALA FAMILIES 1:2 FOR A $300 TOTAL MATCH TOWARDS FILLING THEIR PROPANE TANKS OR OFFSETTING THE COST OF THEIR HEATING BILLS. THIS YEAR'S EMERGENCY HEAT MATCH ON PINE RIDGE PROVIDED HEATING ASSISTANCE TO 909 FAMILIES, INCLUDING 94 VETERANS THOUGH OUR VETERANS MATCH (3,983 INDIVIDUALS, 1,811 OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN).

YOUTH, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE - (PINE RIDGE AND YANKTON SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATIONS IN SOUTH DAKOTA, AND OTHER NATIVE COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE). RUNNING STRONG WHOLEHEARTEDLY ADVOCATES FOR NATIVE YOUTH PROSPERITY AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS. WE SUPPORTED THE LONG-TERM WORK PROVIDED BY THE DIVISION OF INDIAN WORK, WHOSE SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WERE ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN THE COMMUNITY, TEACHING YOUTH HOW AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURE AND LIFE SKILLS CAN BE USED AS PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG ABUSE, WAUNYAWAPI TO HELP YOUTH IMPROVE THEIR READING AND LITERACY SKILLS, AND NIIBIN MINWEDAAGWAD WHICH PROVIDED CULTURAL TEACHINGS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES (ESTIMATED 15 FAMILIES AND 50 CHILDREN SERVED). (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)RUNNING STRONG ALSO NORTHERN KOHALA COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER'S MAUKA TO MAKAI SUMMER CAMP, A CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT TRADITIONAL NATIVE HAWAIIAN ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SITES IN NORTH KOHALA, AND REFORESTATION, LAND MANAGEMENT, AND SAFE BOATING/FISHING PRACTICES.TO HELP NATIVE CHILDREN ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS LIKE ANY OTHER CHILD, ALONG WITH DONATING 2,400 BRAND NEW TOYS TO FAMILIES ON PINE RIDGE, RUNNING STRONG DOUBLED OUR SUPPORT FOR HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AND GIFT GIVING FOR NATIVE YOUTH THIS YEAR. WE SUPPORTED HOLIDAY PARTIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR INDIAN YOUTH OF AMERICA, TODAY WE FOLLOW TOMORROW WE LEAD, SUMMIT AREA ECONOMIC GROWTH, BRUSHY CHEROKEE ACTION ASSOCIATION, SMEE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEBO TITLE VI INDIAN EDUCATION, AND OYATE TECA PROJECT.DURING FY22, RUNNING STRONG ALSO FOCUSED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW OYATE TA KOLA KU COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WE ARE BUILDING ON THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION. THIS 21,000 SQUARE FOOT YOUTH CENTER WILL OPERATE ALL THE YOUTH PROGRAMMING CONDUCTED THROUGH OUR PARTNER AND NEWEST FIELD OFFICE, OYATE TECA PROJECT. WE WILL OFFER YOUTH RECREATION ACTIVITIES IN A BRAND NEW GYM, FOOD PRESERVATION AND PREPARATION CLASSES IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, GARDEN CLASSES IN CENTER AND ON THE GROUNDS IN THE MEDICINE ROOT GARDEN, ART AND CULTURE CLASSES SUCH AS BEADING, SEWING, AND REGALIA MAKING. WE WILL BE EXPANDING OUR AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AS WELL AS OUR GARDEN AND FOOD PROGRAMS THAT SERVE THE RESERVATION. LANGUAGE AND CULTURE - RUNNING STRONG CONTINUES TO SUPPORT CULTURE AND LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION EFFORTS. RUNNING STRONG SUPPORTED THE AFRAID OF BEAR/AMERICAN HORSE TIOSPAYE: RITES OF PASSAGE PROGRAM WHERE LAKOTA ELDER MASTER TEACHERS BROUGH TOGETHER YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS TO TEACH THE ART OF MAKING SACRED FOODS, THE PRAYERS AND CEREMONY BEHIND THIS SACRED ART, AS WELL AS DOCUMENTING OTHER CULTURAL TEACHINGS THAT ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO THE OGLALA LAKOTA PEOPLES OF THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION. WE ALSO SUPPORTED OGLALA LAKOTA SACRED FOODS PREPARATION THROUGH SACRED HEALING CIRCLE AND YUCHI LANGUAGE PRESERVATION EFFORTS THROUGH OUR 25 YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YUCHI LANGUAGE PROJECT IN SAPULPA, OK.SINCE 1994, RUNNING STRONG HAS SUPPORTED THE BRAVE HEART SOCIETY'S EFFORTS IN THE YANKTON, OGLALA, SICANGU, HUNKPAPA, HUNKPATI, KUL WICASA, SANTEE, SISSETON, MDEWANKTONWAN, SPIRIT LAKE, CHEYENNE RIVER AND SIOUX VALLEY NATIONS. IN FY22, BRAVE HEART SOCIETY CONTINUED ITS WORK INCLUDING THE CONTINUATION OF ITS MNI WIZIPAN WAKAN PROJECT TO MAP OUT TRIBAL WATER RIGHTS, GARDEN TILLING AND PLANTING FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, SOCIAL ACTIVISM AND ISNATI/COMING OF AGE COMING OF AGE CEREMONY FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS. RUNNING STRONG ALSO OWNS THE BRAVE HEART LODGE AND LEASES IT TO THE BRAVE HEARTS FOR $1/YEAR.

DREAMSTARTER PROGRAM - DREAMSTARTER, DREAMSTARTER TEACHER, DREAMSTARTER CREATIVE, DREAMSTARTER SCHOLARSHIP, KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE. IN HIS TRAVELS THROUGHOUT THE NATION, OUR SPOKESPERSON BILLY MILLS HAS WITNESSED WHAT HE CALLS A "POVERTY OF DREAMS," WHEREIN NATIVE YOUTH DO NOT DARE TO DREAM. DREAMSTARTER AIMS TO SUPPORT NATIVE YOUTH IN PURSUIT OF THEIR DREAMS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, HANDS-ON MENTORSHIP, COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING, AND NETWORKING. RUNNING STRONG RECOGNIZES THAT TODAY'S NATIVE YOUTH ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS AND DESPITE THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT NATIVE YOUTH FACE, WE CAN HELP THEM FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS.(SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BILLY'S OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL IN 2014, WE LAUNCHED THE DREAMSTARTER PROGRAM THAT WILL IDENTIFY 10 NATIVE YOUTH EACH YEAR TO RECEIVE A $10,000 GRANT FOR EACH DREAMSTARTER YOUTH AND THEIR MENTOR ORGANIZATION TO MAKE A DREAM FOR THEIR COMMUNITY COME TRUE.2022 DREAMSTARTERS RANGED FROM AGE 16 TO 30 AND REPRESENTED NINE (9) DIVERSE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES: NAVAJO NATION, CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE, MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION, YERINGTON PAIUTE TRIBE, PISCATAWAY CONOY TRIBE, CHEROKEE NATION, CATAWBA INDIAN NATION, AND WIIKWEMKOONG UNCEDED TERRITORY. 2022 MENTOR ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION MVSKOKE YOUTH SERVICES, SACRED PIPE RESOURCE CENTER, THROUGH PISCATAWAY EYES, NEBO TITLE VI INDIAN EDUCATION, THE BEBELA PROJECT, NAVAJOSTRONG, CATAWBA CULTURAL DIVISION, SIERRA ENDURANCE SPORTS, INDIGENOUS HEALTH & WELLNESS CONNECTIONS, AND FAST BLACKFEET. THIS YEAR'S DREAMSTARTER THEME WAS SOCIAL ACTION AND DREAMS RANGED FROM AN ANNUAL RUN TO HONOR THE LOST AND THE SURVIVORS OF THE INDIAN BOARD SCHOOL ERA TO WEEKLY WORKSHOPS TO CONNECT NATIVE YOUTH IN URBAN AREAS TO THEIR CULTURE, AND MUCH-NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR A STATE-RECOGNIZED TRIBE ON THE EAST COAST TO FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAMMING ON THE BLACKFEET NATION. EACH DREAMSTARTER IS ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A "KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE" GRANT ONCE THEIR GRANT YEAR WAS COMPLETE. THESE OUTSTANDING NATIVE YOUTH ARE BUILDING A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY CHANGE WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN INDIAN COUNTRY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.INDIANYOUTH.ORG/DREAMSTARTER.IN 2017, RUNNING STRONG LAUNCHED DREAMSTARTER TEACHER, A NEW GRANT THAT GIVES NATIVE TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WHO TEACH NATIVE CHILDREN UP TO $1,000 TO MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE IN THEIR CLASSROOM. IN FY22, 28 TEACHERS WERE SELECTED WITH DREAMS RANGING FROM SUPPORTING ART PROGRAMMING IN SCHOOLS TO BUILDING A MOBILE GREENHOUSE WITH STUDENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. TEACHERS CAN APPLY YEARLY IN MAY. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT WWW.INDIANYOUTH.ORG/DREAMSTARTERTEACHER.IN FALL OF 2021, WE LAUNCHED A NEW DREAMSTARTER COMPANION PROGRAM: DREAMSTARTER CREATIVE. DREAMSTARTER CREATIVE SUPPORTS THE ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL ENDEAVORS OF NATIVE YOUTH BY AWARDING $2,500 GRANTS TO 10 YOUTH EACH SO THEY CAN CREATE, CONNECT, AND CELEBRATE THEIR CULTURE. WITH A GENEROUS ANCHOR GIFT FROM THE EARL AND ANNA BROADY FOUNDATION, RUNNING STRONG WAS ABLE TO ESTABLISH A DREAMSTARTER SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP DREAMSTARTERS PAY FOR TUITION AND STUDENT LOANS FOR UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE SCHOOL. WE WERE ABLE TO AWARD OVER $65,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 11 DREAMSTARTERS FROM TEN (10) DIFFERENT TRIBAL NATIONS. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.INDIANYOUTH.ORG, WHERE YOU CAN READ UPDATES, JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST OR FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WE WORK TO BUILD A STRONG GENERATION OF NATIVE YOUTH.