Listening to Community!

Initiative leadership staff, Lisa Pung and Benjamin Theisen, traveled to the Cheyenne River Reservation, where the Sioux YMCA is located, on June 2nd and June 3rd. The purpose of this trip was to conduct community dialogues, connect with YMCA staff and board members, and prepare youth and adults for an impactful summer with the YMCA.

We conducted dialogues in all four of the communities where the Sioux Initiative will be present this summer: La Plant, Swiftbird, Cherry Creek, and Red Scaffold. We were greeted in each community with enthusiastic youth and adults who were willing and open to share their thoughts and ideas on how they and the YMCA can collaborate in the coming summer. Each dialogue invited community members (youth and adults) to join Bill and Denise of the Sioux YMCA and Initiative leadership staff, for an open conversation and a community barbeque. As each dialogue takes place, we have noted more community engagement, further awareness of the work of the YMCA and organic volunteerism. We look forward to a summer of continued listening, collaboration, and programming that reflects that community vision!