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"The Little Non-Profit That Did...."

The Cheyenne River Youth Project was founded in January 1988 in response to the community’s need for more services that support struggling children and their families. Originally housed in a converted bar on the town’s Main Street, the organization created a safe place for children to come after school, offering activities such as arts and crafts, intramural sports and volunteer mentorship, in addition to serving a healthy meal and snack each day. The youth center, known locally as "The Main", was operated completely by a volunteer staff and quickly became a vital element of the Cheyenne River Community.  Despite its small size, and very little money for programming, the center was filled to capacity each day. 

From those meagre beginnings, the Cheyenne River Youth Project has come a long, long way. In 1997, CRYP partnered with the national non-profit, Running Strong for American Indian Youth, to build a new youth center that could support the organization’s growth.  The new “Main Youth Center” opened in May 1999, and provides a recreation room, library, family room, commercial grade kitchen, office space and residential quarters for long-term volunteers. Of course, CRYP has continued to expand and partnered once again with Running Strong in 2004 to build the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center for youth ages 13-18.  Cokata Wiconi is a tremendous achievement for CRYP, at over 25,000 sq ft and with many new and exciting opportunities for teens! The center has a full-sized basketball court, an internet cafe, a computer lab, dance and art studios, as well as private volunteer quarters.

Visit our Youth Programs and Family Services to see what CRYP is doing today!