Sponsorship Program
"Let me say that my elder has become a blessing in my life! She has called me and I have called her so many times and she has such wonderful stories !!! I grew up as a foster child, so I've never had a grandmother....Until now !! She is such a wonderful person, she's always concerned about my well being and she has been teaching me the language, we have exchanged letters and she is going to send me a picture of her...now I will finally have a picture of a granma to put on my wall at my new house...I believe that everything happens for a reason, and ONE Spirit has crossed my path and I have wonderful things happening...I believe life's roads are meant for journeys, not destinations and this is a special journey for me now !!!! Thank you ONE Spirit...and Regina and Bud !!! "
Imagine that you are:
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An 80-year-old elder trying to care for your two toddler grandchildren—and you live in a one bedroom apartment
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A 35-year-old single father with no job—and you lose everything in a house fire
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A 20-year-old single mother trying to walk 5 miles to school each day—and you have holes in the soles of your shoes
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A 16-year-old boy without a home—and the gangs are threatening you
- An 8-year-old girl whose only shoes are flipflops—and the first snow just fell
Well, you DO have that power through the ONE Spirit Sponsorship Program. The uniqueness of our sponsorship program is its DIRECT approach. Sponsors send their gifts DIRECTLY to the person they wish to receive the help. You can be sure your gift gets to the person because you send it yourself! ONE Spirit’s Sponsorship Program offers people a way to help DIRECTLY, person-to-person. We have many people who have asked for help. Here are some of the options:
DIRECT Sponsorships for Elders
Elders on Pine Ridge often lead a difficult life because of poor housing to begin with, lack of resources to repair or weatherize the home, and responsibilities to care for grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elders love to get coffee, warm sweatshirts, shoes, laundry detergent, and pantry staples.
DIRECT Sponsorships for Families and Children
Families on Pine Ridge share everything. Clothing is passed around, and toys are shared by everyone. Sponsors may take on a whole family or just one child. Either way, the gifts will be shared by everyone! Families can use help with seasonal clothing changes, laundry detergent, shampoo and bath soap, toothbrushes and paste, coats, shoes, and socks. Household items, such as sheets and towels are also welcome.
The Program
- Sweatshirt, pair of shoes, socks, shampoo, toothpaste/brush, laundry detergent, a small toy or game (for a child or family).
- A pound of coffee, a pair of shoes, a coat, a flannel shirt, laundry detergent, a pair of jeans, gloves (for an elder).
- School supplies, pair of jeans, tee-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, socks, a pair of shoes, and a puzzle (school aged child).
- Underwear for girls and boys, socks for girls and boys, tee-shirts for girls and boys (Pre-teens in the Safe House).
Notice that none of these sample boxes need to be very expensive. What you give is up to you. We do ask that you commit to a sponsorship for at least a year.
If you can find it in your budget—and your heart—to become a sponsor, or have questions about the program, please contact Colleen Morrison at: cmorrison@nativeprogress.org
