CRYP has big plans for Literacy projects at the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center. As we write this page, we are setting up our beautiful library and stocking books that will encourage, educate and inspire our teenagers. We do need more new books - reference books, classics, Native American titles, poetry, non-fiction, and much much more! We have estimated that 80,000 books will be necessary to line our shelves, so this is a continuing goal for CRYP.

Many thanks and much appreciation go to Marion and Hubert Kranich who donated an amazing $25,000 toward the purchase of our wonderful, sturdy shelves. Another incredible supporter and friend is Mr. Elton Hess who donated $5,000 to support the development of our new library, including the costly shipping charges involved with setting up such facilities. Each of these individuals has visited Cheyenne River personally, getting to know our staff, our community and most importantly, our participants. We are anxious to move on with this project, so that the next time they visit, our library will be up and running!

CRYP does have one very important program on the horizon as part of our Literacy initiative in the Teen Center, our Oral History Program. Funded by Citigroup Foundation, this program will help to connect teens with elders in the community who have stories of strength and survival to share. Teen participants will record and transcribe one-on-one interviews, so that these memories can be shared for years to come. The archive will be kept in our library, for the reference of new generations of Cokata Wiconi visitors.