Fund a Lakota Led Gym & Mentorship Space on Pine Ridge

Help Build a Gym — and a Future — on Pine Ridge

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We’re building more than just a gym.

We’re building a sanctuary. A source of hope. A space for strength, healing, and growth — right in the heart of Pine Ridge Reservation.

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Why Pine Ridge?

Pine Ridge is home to the Oglala Lakota Nation — a people with one of the richest, most resilient cultures on this continent. But it’s also one of the most underserved places in America.

• Over 50% of children live below the poverty line

• Youth suicide rates are 4x the national average

• Mental health services are nearly nonexistent

• Federal funding for youth programs and wellness initiatives has been slashed in recent years

This isn’t just about poverty or statistics. It’s about isolation. Disconnection. A generation of talented, powerful kids growing up without safe spaces, structured opportunities, or the resources they deserve to thrive.

But there is one thing that’s always brought people together here:

Basketball.

Basketball runs deep on Pine Ridge. It’s more than a sport — it’s a cultural connector, a creative outlet, a lifeline. On the court, kids find confidence, friendship, and belief. That ball bounces louder than circumstance.

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The Vision

We’re creating a full basketball and performance training facility — led by the community, for the community.

This gym will be:

• A home for basketball training and tournaments

• A safe haven for kids after school

• A strength & conditioning space with structured programs

• A mentorship and mental health support hub

• A base for youth empowerment rooted in Lakota values and leadership

This isn’t an outsider project.

The land is already secured — donated by a local Lakota leader.

The zoning is approved.

The red tape is cleared.

This is happening from within Pine Ridge — by a Native resident and former high-level trainer who is stepping up to build something lasting.

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What We Need

We’re raising $250,000 to:

• Construct the training facility

• Purchase equipment and infrastructure

• Cover operational costs for the first 10 years

• Launch youth programs that blend athletic development with cultural identity, personal growth, and mental wellness

Every dollar goes directly toward building and sustaining the gym.

There are no salaries, no fluff, no middlemen.

Just impact.

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How You Can Help

Whether you donate $10 or $10,000 — you’re part of this.

You’re helping us build a future where kids can train, heal, grow, and believe in something bigger than what they’ve been handed.

You’re turning pain into purpose. Isolation into identity. Struggle into strength.

And if you can’t donate today — share this page. Tell someone. Help us spread the word.

This is more than a facility.

It’s a statement.

It’s a movement.

It’s us — building what we’ve been waiting for.

Wopila. Thank you