Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego

By sponsoring our Hero campaign, you will be ensuring that all children of the San Diego community have the best chance at a happy and healthy childhood.  Donate now »

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Imagine a place where...

• The median income is $2,600 per year.
• The unemployment rate is 87%.
• The average life expectancy is 48 years old for men and 52 for women.
• The teenage suicide rate is 150% higher than the U.S. national average.
• The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 300% higher than the U.S. national average.
• The rate of diabetes 800% higher than the U.S. national average.

A place where families, children and the elderly go without food and heat in freezing temperatures on a daily basis? Right here in our own back yard... in the United States. This place is Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Lakota Sioux.

Nicki sponsors a Lakota elder through One Spirit. To donate or learn more about sponsoring an elder or child on the reservation visit: nativeprogress.org/

Cangleska, Inc.

Cangleska, Inc. is a comprehensive domestic violence prevention/intervention program designed to provide advocacy to battered Oglala women and their children and hold offenders accountable. It has been incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) since 1996. In 1997, Cangleska, Inc. opened its first battered women's shelter in Kyle and opened a second facility in Rapid City in 2000. Anywhere from 300 to 600 women make their way to the Cangleska shelter each year, along with their 600 to 900 children, infants through teens. The shelter provides them with safety and related assistance as well as providing outreach advocacy services to an additional 800 to 1,500 annually, all with a staff of 43. Cangleska, Inc. provides housing, medical, legal, social services, criminal justice, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence who may not desire or need out-of-home shelter. It provides educational classes for offenders, teaching them how to incorporate Lakota culture and values into their everyday life and family relationships.

Nicki is raising awareness for battered women through her climbs and supports Cangleska, Inc.: www.cangleska.org/

Futures for Children

EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION.

Unfortunately, many American Indian children miss out. Schools on American Indian reservations have the highest teacher turnover. Resources are severely limited. 28% of American Indian students in the Futures service area drop out before graduating from high school (U.S. Census 2000). Less than 4% of American Indians hold college degrees. Since 1968, Futures for Children has provided mentoring and training in Hopi, Navajo and New Mexico Pueblo tribal communities to more than 15,000 American Indian students and their families.Over 150 volunteers from these communities work with Futures for Children to deliver and monitor the program and to create educational success among their children. 95% of Futures for Children American Indian students are promoted or graduate.

Nicki supports education and Futures for Children: www.futuresforchildren.org/