Reaching out to the community, raising awareness

LeNae and Bree, staff members at Cheyenne River Indian Outreach, will spend the month traveling across the vast prairies of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation to visit with people about domestic violence. The pair will present to students and other groups, and coordinate events like community movie nights to share information about the services offered by Cheyenne River Indian Outreach.

To reach as many people as possible this month, outreach staff will also visit all of the schools on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. They will talk with high school students about healthy relationships. For junior high students, their presentation will focus on bullying, drugs and teen suicide.

Special presentations for young ladies include Leadership for Females and Female Roles in the Lakota Culture.

Each school they visit will also participate in the Clothesline Project. Staff will bring paper cutouts of purple shirts (purple is for domestic violence awareness) and ask the students to write a personal success story or motivational quote. The shirts will be laminated and strung on a “clothesline” to create banners of positive stories and thoughts in the community and at Cheyenne River Indian Outreach events.

Law enforcement officers will join Bree and LeNae, along with other service providers in the community, for brunch and an open forum discussion on the topic of domestic violence.

Finally, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month will conclude with a costume-themed walk to “Scare Away Domestic Violence.” Everyone in the community is invited to walk, and then enjoy apple cider and Halloween treats.

“We offer a safe place for new beginnings,” LeNae said. “We want to reach as many people as possible to let them know help is available. If you or anyone you know is affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or any other issue our community is facing, please call someone for help,”

You are not alone. To find help in your area, call the
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).