Rural America Initiatives

Rural America Initiatives Rural America Initiatives (RAI) is an all-Native non-profit organization founded in 1986 to provide opportunities to the Native community in Rapid City.

Our aim is to work with Native American families to give them the tools necessary to be successful. Our goal is a sustainable early intervention program to give power to an Indian community with restricted access to services through increased access to cultural support and community resources. We aim to provide the tools families need to become self-sufficient and raise strong children with paths

to healthy futures. We intend to increase awareness of our work locally, regionally and nationally in order to broaden our base of support, continue, grow and evolve successful programs, and be sustainable into the future. An important target population for Rural America Initiatives is families who migrate from a reservation to Rapid City within the year. These families are often the most economically disadvantaged and vulnerable, and the poverty they face is staggering. Native Americans come to the city from the reservation for increased opportunities and a better way of life. Often, however, they find conditions here much more difficult, without the network and support systems of the reservation. We structure our programs like a Tiyospaye (family), grounded in traditional culture and replicating the family support found on reservations. We embrace the philosophy of serving the family through the child, and educating the parents to be the educators of the children. Our goal was and is to develop a new society of Indian men and women, or "Ikce wicasa na winyan" (Common Man and Woman) who work within the community to strengthen our community's families by practicing the values of respect, honesty, language, generosity and courage, and the interconnectedness we have with each other, and with mother earth.

Early Head Start RETURNING children! You are invited to an OPEN HOUSE to meet your child’s new teacher if they are trans...
09/01/2026

Early Head Start RETURNING children! You are invited to an OPEN HOUSE to meet your child’s new teacher if they are transitioning to a new classroom!

The Wakháŋyeža Project is currently accepting applications for a Child Care Center Assistant Teacher. Please see the att...
09/01/2026

The Wakháŋyeža Project is currently accepting applications for a Child Care Center Assistant Teacher. Please see the attached vacancy announcement and contact Shawn Little Thunder at 605-381-6178 if interested.

Congratulations to our wonderful Early Head Start parent, Myrna Kills Back, on earning her EMT certificate! We’re so pro...
08/28/2026

Congratulations to our wonderful Early Head Start parent, Myrna Kills Back, on earning her EMT certificate! We’re so proud of you! 👏❤️

Anpetu Waste Head Start and Early Head Start Families! We hope you are enjoying your break at home as we prepare for the...
08/27/2026

Anpetu Waste Head Start and Early Head Start Families! We hope you are enjoying your break at home as we prepare for the upcoming school year! Here is the school calendar for 2026-2027. The calendars will be sent home during the first week of school.

‼ Important Dates ‼ for HEAD START Families Only:
🌼 September 8th: Newly enrolled Head Start children will start their first day.
🌼September 9th: Returning children will start their first day & NEWLY enrolled children will stay home.
🌼September 10th & 11th: All children will attend.

For Early Head Start families, please note that there will be no staggered start dates. All Early Head Start children will return on September 8th!

Rural America Initiatives extends our sincere appreciation to the South Dakota Community Foundation for awarding a $49,9...
08/24/2026

Rural America Initiatives extends our sincere appreciation to the South Dakota Community Foundation for awarding a $49,955 South Dakota Fund grant in support of our new Wakháŋyeža Child Care Center.

Located at 612 Crazy Horse Street in Rapid City, the center will provide a much-needed child care option for children ages 3–5. The program will begin by serving approximately 15 children and will grow to a capacity of 45, with no income requirement to apply.

This generous support is helping us create a safe, nurturing, and culturally connected environment where children can learn and thrive. We are grateful to the South Dakota Community Foundation and all our partners helping bring this important project to life for children and families in our community.

https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/news-insights/sdcf-news/breaking-down-barriers-to-childcare-in-rapid-city

Families in Rapid City will have an expanded childcare option, thanks to the work of Rural America Initiatives, the longest operating American Indian private nonprofit serving Native families in Rapid City. With a $49,955 South Dakota Fund grant from South Dakota Community Foundation, RAI is taking....

Exciting news from Rural America Initiatives!We are preparing to open the Wakháŋyeža Project Child Care Center, a safe, ...
08/24/2026

Exciting news from Rural America Initiatives!

We are preparing to open the Wakháŋyeža Project Child Care Center, a safe, caring, and culturally grounded environment where children can learn, play, and grow.

We are currently accepting enrollment inquiries for children ages 3 and 4. Our team is completing the final preparations, with the goal of opening our first classroom shortly after Labor Day. A confirmed opening date will be announced soon.

The Wakháŋyeža Project is a state-licensed child care center and is separate from RAI’s federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This new center expands the child care options available to families in our community.

Space is limited. For enrollment information, please contact:

Shawn Little Thunder
Cell: 605-381-6178
Office: 605-791-0438
Email: [email protected]
612 Crazy Horse Street, Rapid City, SD 57701

Wakháŋyeža — Our Children Are Sacred.

Anpetu waste, Head Start and Early Head Start families! We would like to congratulate the winners of our Fitness Challen...
08/17/2026

Anpetu waste, Head Start and Early Head Start families! We would like to congratulate the winners of our Fitness Challenge! This challenge aimed to make health and wellness fun for you and your child at home. Thank you to everyone who particiapted, we are proud of you! Prizes can be picked up Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

08/16/2026
08/14/2026

💙 2025 - 2026 Head Start Moving On Ceremony 💙 It has been an honor to watch them learn and grow throughout their years in our Prenatal to Five Head Start Program. Our teachers and staff will miss working with these amazing families, but we know your future is bright! 💕

💙 2025 - 2026 Head Start Moving On Ceremony 💙 It has been an honor to watch them learn and grow throughout their years i...
08/14/2026

💙 2025 - 2026 Head Start Moving On Ceremony 💙 It has been an honor to watch them learn and grow throughout their years in our Prenatal to Five Head Start Program. Our teachers and staff will miss working with these amazing families, but we know your future is bright! 💕

Address

2112 S. Valley Drive
Rapid City, SD
57703

Telephone

(605) 341-3339

Website

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