Day of Dignity is sponsored by Universal Outreach, of Sioux Falls & a number of other non-profit organization, service organizations & individuals.
 
Some are regional  organizations within South Dakota, while others are national or international relief agencies. All are partners in our humanitarian efforts to bring services to the needy on the Missouri river shores of central South Dakota.

Day of Dignity is an idea…. It’s a concept that says that a person in crisis, whether it is homelessness, poverty or illness should be able to obtain assistance from those around them with dignity. They should not be dehumanized into a number or a “case file” but recognized, regardless of their current state that they are a human being deserving dignity & respect.

In so doing we seek to help those struggling to maintain or to improve their situation. We seek to help those needing medical help, mental health assistance or just needing someone to show they care.

Day of Dignity grew out of compassion for the homeless, and has spread from one event held in the City of Angels, L.A., California to include numerous cities across this nation.

It is a coming together of faith communities, organizations, corporations & individuals for the sake of humanity right here at our doorsteps.

It is our opportunity to show once again that America believes in human dignity & human rights & that we will practice this here in our own states helping the less fortunate in this land of plenty.

                    2007 Project in SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota is the first project to look beyond the needs of the traditional homeless and seek to help those in severe poverty. The project focused in 2007 on the Crow Creek Sioux reservation after having a request from help come from the Crow Creek Longriders motorcycle organization. As a result, the humanitarian project at Fort Thompson was established under the name Humantarian day. During the one day project, hygiene kits, books, coats, winter weatherization supplies, art supplies (for the school) & children bikes were distributed as well as free medical screenings provided.

 

2008 Project in SOUTH DAKOTA

It is the goal of the project to grow each year with collaboration & consultation with the local community, so that we can work to strengthen the community’s ability to become more self-sufficient & to self-empowered.

We recognize that we as event organizers, not within the ethnic community that has suffered & continues to suffer discrimination, can not truly understand the scope of economic, psychological & social deprivation & oppression the Crow Creek people experience. As such as work closely with members in the community to develop our project to help them strength areas that they feel are important to them.

During these discussions the community members interviewed have said over & over again that they want us to focus on the kids & youth. So that is what we are working toward.

 

 

 

 

 

This year, due to their recommendations, we are encompassing a Children’s Fair element with our distribution  & health fair. This will allow the children to have opportunities to have a carnival of games, balloons & fun, in addition to receiving school backpacks, new clothing items, refurbished bikes & health screenings.

We are seeking:

· Face paint

· Helium balloons

· Frisbees  & other “prizes” that can be distributed to every child.

· Tempra paint for the children’s paint booth

· Paint brushes for the children’s paint booth

· Squirt guns and other water-toys

· Beach balls & other large out-door vinyl balls

 

In so doing, we hope to bring a few smiles to some needy children in our state.

day.of.dignity@gmail.comVictor David 605-376-0610

Or contact by phone our coordinator:

Fort Thompson Area Project

 
The Day of Dignity embraces CHANGE.
 
· It is a change in the way we distribute to the needy in the Fort Thompson area.
· It is a change in the way items we collect for distribution.
· It is a change in the way organizations come together for the sake of fellow Human Beings in need.
· It is a change in the way those in need are empowered to participate as volunteers to help themselves & those in their community.
 
 
 Fort Thompson is an example of economic isolation, geographic isolation. The area of Fort Thompson has its roots in an embarrassing part of American history where entire ethnic populations were removed by force & placed in a desolate land hundreds of miles from their original fertile homeland. But its not only an issue of the past, but also of the present, where federal bureaucracies continue to keep the population from being able to access & develop the natural resources (ie the Missouri river) at the edge of their reservation . 
 
The people struggling to not only survive, but continue to embrace their cultural & ethnic identity find it necessary to maintain on the reservation so that their children can be raised in a cultural community that they can identify with.