RAI Expands Child Care Options for Rapid City Families
By Rural America Initiatives | September 2026
Rural America Initiatives is preparing to open the Wakháŋyeža Child Care Center, which will provide care for children ages 3–5. The program is separate from RAI’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs and will offer fee-based child care, with state child care assistance available to families who qualify. The project responds to the continued need for accessible early childhood care within the Rapid City community.
We were grateful to join KOTA Territory News to discuss the project and the support provided by the South Dakota Community Foundation.
Rural America Initiatives Receives $49,995 Grant to Support Wakháŋyeža Child Care Center
By Rural America Initiatives | August 2026
Rural America Initiatives is grateful to the South Dakota Community Foundation for awarding a $49,995 South Dakota Fund grant in support of the new Wakháŋyeža Child Care Center.
Located at 612 Crazy Horse Street in Rapid City, the center is being developed in response to the continuing need for quality child care in our community. The center will serve children ages 3–5, beginning with approximately 15 children and growing to a capacity of 45. With no income requirement to apply, it will offer cultural activities, outdoor and active play, and learning experiences supporting children’s overall development.
This investment will help RAI provide a safe, nurturing, and culturally connected environment for children while giving parents and caregivers greater support as they work or continue their education. We sincerely appreciate the South Dakota Community Foundation’s partnership in bringing this important project to life.
Rural America Initiatives Receives $167,606 Grant to Support Wakȟáŋyeža Child Care Center Renovations
By Rural America Initiatives | April 2026
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.
Wakháŋyeža Project (Our Children Are Sacred)
The Wakháŋyeža Project—Our Children Are Sacred—is Rural America Initiatives’ newly licensed child care center located at 612 Crazy Horse Street in Rapid City. The center
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