Native Ways Federation - Running Strong

American Indian Youth Running Strong 2550 Huntington Ave, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22303 (703)317-9881 www.indianyouth.org
MISSION Help American Indian people meet their immediate survival needs — food, water and shelter — while implementing and supporting programs designed to create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem.
HISTORY & PURPOSE Running Strong was founded twenty years ago to bring hope to people who, while economically very poor, are culturally very rich. Today, we work in American Indian communities to meet immediate survival needs – food, water and shelter – while creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and self- esteem, particularly for Native youth. We work intensively in specific communities with a network of local staff and volunteers, ensuring that our work is responsive to what the community wants, rather than a preconceived idea of what they should have.
OUR WORK Running Strong has grown into one of the nation’s most effective American Indian nonprofits, providing direct services and tackling the toughest challenges in massively underserved communities. Among our core areas are: Youth Programs: Too often, American Indian youth face challenges that no child should have to experience. Running Strong works to give these kids a place to go – where they can feel safe to learn, grow, and have fun. We build youth centers with volunteer quarters since there is no spare housing, libraries since there are none and internet access since many homes do not have a phone, much less a computer. From the Ċokata Wiċoni (Center of Life) Teen Center on Cheyenne River to A LI MI A (A place to go to get help to help yourself) Center on Crow, our programs reach out to hundreds of kids every day. Survival Needs Assistance: Without food, water and housing, everything else is secondary. Running Strong provides direct assistance to families and communities lacking these essentials. We dig water wells, plant organic family and community gardens, run food banks, build homes, and assist with utilities. Cultural Touchstones: Running Strong works to preserve American Indian culture, including languages and traditions that are the rightful inheritance of American Indian people but that could die out in this generation. With language and traditional practice, we teach the next generation of American Indian leaders to live with character, dignity and pride.

OUR NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON BILLY MILLS
	Running Strong’s National Spokesperson Billy Mills is often named “Best Indian Role Model” in Native polls. Born and raised on Pine Ridge, he shocked the world at the 1964 Olympics when he came from behind to win the gold medal in the 10k race. Today, Billy travels the country raising awareness and money to overcome the numerous obstacles still faced by American Indian families Through his story and his work with Running Strong, Billy encourages today’s Native youth so that they, too, can follow their dreams.