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Eagle Butte News ebnews@lakotanetwork.com |
COMMUNITY |
Thursday, October 26, 2006 |
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Successful businessman contributes to The Main In the 11 years since Rob Laurenz founded his company, Dakota 2000, Pierre, SD, has gone from providing standard Internet services to integrating entire communications systems for its customers. Clearly Laurenz understands the importance of technology, and when he attended the August dedication of the Cokata Wiconi (Center of Life), the Cheyenne River Youth Project’s new teen center, he saw an opportunity to lend a helping hand to the Cheyenne River Reservation’s future entrepreneurs. As he toured the new facility in August, Laurenz saw the empty stations for computer equipment and pledge cards for individuals who might be interested in making a donation. On behalf of Dakota 2000, he has pledged five computers – the largest single pledge of computers to date. On Cheyenne River, where Laurenz was born and raised, financial instability is unfortunately the rule rather than the exception. Unemployment rates reach far into the upper percentiles, and the region’s infrastructure has not encouraged the development of sustainable small businesses. Laurenz’s own success in the private sector – Dakota 2000 is 100% owned by American Indians – has inspired him to help turn this trend around. “It is my duty and responsibility to repay that favor in the form of bringing my skills and influences to help improve the economic conditions for all tribal members,” Laurenz said. He has stepped up to this challenge in numerous ways. Laurenz supports a variety of organizations working to help integrate technology, teach financial skills and encourage responsible entrepreneurship on the reservation. He is a board member with the Four Bands Community Fund and Mazaska Inc.; both non-profits that provide important training and capacity building for tribal members and their businesses. Getting technology to the reservation’s youth is equally important to Laurenz, as is providing them with the skills they need to integrate that technology into their daily lives and dreams for the future. “Within Four Bands, we have designed a program that provides entrepreneurship training for youth,” Laurenz said. “I would really like to see the new center work together with Four Bands to get this training started.” Laurenz has been familiar with the Cheyenne River Youth Project® for more than a decade, He said he trusts its leadership by Executive Director Julie Garreau, a former high school classmate and good friend. For its part, the CRYP is eager to collaborate on new youth programs and services. “That is exactly what this teen center is about,” Garreau said. “We need to organize ourselves around our youth and pass on our skills, our inspiration and our culture. We should be working together, and I hope that many more individuals and groups step forward with their ideas and assistance.” For now, the new teen facility continues to look for resources and financial support both on and off the reservation. There is still much to be done before the facility can open its doors for area teens, but Garreau is confident that the necessary support will come through – just as it has with Rob Laurenz and Dakota 2000. “We know that we have to do this for our youth,” Garreau said. “We need to take responsibility for the direction our community is going.” CRYP has been applying the same philosophy of empowerment since 1988. Its many programs aim to encourage the creativity and potential of reservation youth. The Cheyenne River Youth Project® (CRYP) and their partner Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, are still working to raise the remaining $900,000 of the $3.6 million needed for their new 26,000+ sq. ft teen center in addition to furnishings, equipment and supplies. The Cheyenne River Youth Project® is non-profit, youth and family serviced organization, located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, providing a youth center for ages 4 – 12 since 1988. On August 14, 2006, CRYP held the dedication of their new teen facility, okata Wi oni, which translated means “Center of Life” in the Lakota language. For more information about CRYP’s programs and services, including the Cokata Wiconi and how you might be able to help visit www.la. For more information on Dakota 2000 products and services, visit www.dakota2000.com. |
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