One of the things I do when I visit churches is share stories of life on the reservation.  Often, I am asked to give the sermon or message for the day during worship. I always bring in the lessons for the day and tell stories about life on the reservation.

And we have some wonderful stories to share.

Like Bobby, who met my wife on Facebook at Christmas time.  She sent him to me for help. We were able to provide Christmas presents for his 5 young kids. And Christmas dinner. Bobby came to work for the center. Within months, he felt empowered to quit and start his own business. Today, I consider him a friend. To his kids, I am Uncle Pastor Dan.

Or Kelli and Robert, who were homeless and living in the shelter. They have been clean and sober for months, and both are hard workers. Kelli recently completed her GED. They are expecting a baby this fall. Now we need to help them find a home.

Sean is another success story. Clean and sober for months, he is now leading one of our AA meetings. He has connected with his young daughter.  He is working hard to be a better father.

Jamie came to us only cooking if she could microwave the food. She has learned how to do basic cooking. She was distraught when her stove died.

Kim, a mom with 5 kids. She is still going strong despite having to leave her husband. She works 2 jobs but is still there for her kids and her nieces and nephews.

Tre was dropped at the shelter in the middle of his senior year. Despite living in the shelter, he was able to complete his course work and graduate high school. The shelter celebrated with him. He is working with Bobby and impressed Bobby with his eagerness to learn.

Sabby, another teen, was drooped by family at the shelter. After a rough start, she has worked hard, and she attended Prom and is on track to graduate high school next spring. We are working hard to let her be a teen.

We have others who use to deal drugs who are months sober and clean faithfully attending their meetings. We have multiple people who have gone 12 months or longer and earned their 1 year sober coins.

We have successfully helped people reconnect with family, allowing them to go home.

Over the last three years, using a grant from the State, we were able to help 100+ families move into permanent homes.

Last winter we helped 352 families stay warm with our Energy Assistance Matching Program.

We feed 97 kids each week. And provide snack packs to the kids each week.

To support the life-saving work we do, donate:   https://www.pineridgereconciliationcenter.org/donate.html

I am called to this place. God brought me here to provide help and hope. I think we are doing that every day.

God loves these people and so do I.