Rural America Initiatives Receives $260,000 Grant to Support Wakhanyeza Child Care Center
By Rural America Initiatives, December 22, 2025
Rural America Initiatives (RAI) is honored to announce the receipt of a $260,000 grant from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation in support of the Wakhanyeza Child Care Center, located at 612 Crazy Horse Street in Rapid City.
Wakhanyeza is a Lakota phrase meaning “Our Children Are Sacred.” The project reflects RAI’s commitment to culturally grounded, community-driven early childhood
care.
Grant funds will be used primarily for renovations to the Wakhanyeza Child Care Center, with construction anticipated to take approximately six to nine months. These improvements will prepare the facility to operate as a fee-based child care center,
expanding access to quality care while supporting long-term sustainability.
In addition to renovations, the project will support Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing for new early childhood staff. As staff complete their credentials, they will help address workforce shortages and will also strengthen RAI’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs, where families currently remain on a waiting list for services in
Rapid City.
“RAI presented a plan to both expand their capacity to serve more families and support the development of qualified childcare workers,” says Jacqui Dietrich, President & CEO of the John T. Vucurevich Foundation. “Children are our future and childcare continues to be an urgent community need. We’re proud to support
RAI’s efforts.”
Community support is essential to our work. RAI will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities to support operations, staffing, and long-term growth of the
Wakhanyeza Child Care Center.
About the John T. Vucurevich Foundation:
The John T. Vucurevich Foundation catalyzes philanthropy in western South Dakota by aligning organizations, funders, community leaders and people around the regions most pressing challenges. We turn shared priorities into coordinated action through strategic grantmaking and community engagement. By connecting the dots between housing, education, health and economic opportunity, we work to create lasting change and improve lives across the Black Hills region. Learn more at www.jtvf.org.
Robert Yellowhawk Appointed Executive Director of Rural America Initiatives
By Rural America Initiatives, June 23, 2025We are proud to announce that Robert Yellowhawk has been appointed Executive Director of Rural America Initiatives (RAI), effective June 2, 2025. A lifelong advocate for Native youth and families, Robert has been with RAI for 15 years, beginning as a youth mentor in our Ateyapi Program which means fatherhood in the Lakota language. Over time, he served as a Program Coordinator and Business Manager, gaining experience across the organization before stepping into this new leadership role. His approach to leadership is guided by Lakota values such as being a good relative, compassion, humility, and service to community. Robert is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a former Head Start student, and a proud husband and father of three. His personal journey reflects the impact of culturally grounded support systems like those offered through RAI. RAI currently serves Native children and families through Early Head Start and Head Start programs in Rapid City and Crow Creek, as well as a long-standing partnership with Rapid City Area Schools through the Ateyapi mentoring program. Robert’s professional path reflects a deep commitment to these programs and the communities they serve. This leadership transition comes as Bruce Long Fox steps back from his role after 35 years of dedicated leadership. Bruce now continues to support the organization as a Part-Time Consultant focused on Donor Strategy and Sustainability. His legacy of service, vision, and mentorship continues to guide RAI’s path forward. As Executive Director, Robert looks forward to building on that strong foundation, working with staff, families, and partners to further RAI’s mission of empowering Native children and families through culturally responsive education, mentorship, and community-driven programs.
Ways To Donate
Of Seniors in RAI programs completed high school 0 % Minutes of exercise average of Ateyapi Students 0 Children & Pre-natal moms currently serviced 0
Faculty
Faculty Rural America Initiatives Birth – 5 program Anne Reddy – Early Head Start / Head Start Director Priscilla Yellow Horse – Lakota Site
Old Ateyapi
Lakota for “Fatherhood” (pronounced “Ah-tey-ah-pay”) The Ateyapi Youth Mentoring Program was developed and implemented by RAI in 1994, and serves approximately 1200 students in the
Otȟokaha Tȟeča Lakota Language Project
Successfully completed / fulfilled their 3 year grant June 30, 2025
Board of Directors
Board of Directors in session Donate Contact Us Board of Directors We are governed by a seven member, all Native Board of Directors. Chairperson: Carol