A PATH TO COMPLETION IN 2024!

A Christian-led foundation’s matching grant has provided a clear path to a completely debt-free Tokata Youth Center! Here’s how…

The Tokata Youth Center (TYC) building project began years ago. However, due to COVID, most fundraising activities had to be paused. Diamond Willow Ministries’ Board of Directors, knowing the pressing need of tribal youth and realizing the TYC’s value to bring hope and serve the community, authorized a $2.3 million construction loan to begin construction in 2021. Praise God, the $3.8 million youth center was completed and became fully operational in September, 2022!

The Tokata Youth Center is now a safe, stable nurturing environment within the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. More than 400 Native American children and youth are enrolled in programming based on Biblical principles and Dakota Oyate values.  They are growing stronger mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  More than 1,000 hot nutritious meals are served every month!

As this year began, $1.8 million remained on the construction loan. Looming is the September conversion to a permanent loan and very likely higher interest rates. The opportunity to avoid a permanent mortgage is why the foundation’s matching grant is such a fantastic opportunity.

Throughout 2024, for every $1 given for debt-elimination, the foundation will give another $.50. If we, Diamond Willow friends and partners, old and new, can raise $1.2 million, the foundation will match another $600,000 and the debt can be completely paid off.  As the pie chart shows, to date $565,700 of the needed $1.2M has been raised!  Please consider giving towards the remaining debt of $634,300.

Being debt-free will allow more funds to be allocated to critical staffing at the TYC and to expand programming – even better serving tribal youth, families, and the community.

For more information, please contact Diamond Willow Ministries’ Executive Director Rod Vaughn at rod.vaughn@d-w-m.org or on his mobile phone 605-730-0367.