Our Mission
Providing health & wellness, cancer research for children, and financial literacy educational programs to restore a self-sustaining environment for Native American Youth.
Circle of Support
The Sheena V. Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable foundation committed to restoring a self-sustaining environment through: Health & Wellness, Cancer Research for Children, Financial Literacy, and preserving the most valuable asset to any Native American Tribe/Nation — the children.
Resilience is the capacity to restore or recover to a sustainable state; historically a shining trait among Native Americans, which will aid them in their survival well into the future.
OUR COMMITMENT:
We aim to create solutions to restore a sustainable environment that will support future generations. Our focus is to educate Native youth on culturally appropriate long-term solutions to combat a quickly depleting environment. Aquaponic and hydroponic cultivation methods are some of the solutions we support that are geared toward resilience, food sovereignty, circumventing health disorders and building self-sufficient Native communities.
It is our mission to empower and enrich underserved Native American communities by providing educational programs that address the concept of "wellness" from a holistic perspective. We utilize evidence-based counseling solutions, replacing the currently utilized alcohol solution to uncover the problem areas to deter: alcoholism, depression and related diseases — proactively providing resources for managing the consequent effects of mental illness and addiction.
Tax-deductible donations assist the Sheena V. Foundation's goal to build the infrastructure necessary for the implementation of a vision restoring the hopes and dreams of our Native American youth. Creating partnerships with passionate individuals and corporate entities that parallel our mission and goals is of immediate importance.
Primary Areas of Focus
Health & Wellness
We provide educational programs advocating healthy nutrition as a preventive measure to circumvent disorders such as diabetes and obesity — both commonly identified among Native American communities. Through aquaponic & hydroponic cultivation methods, organic food sources become increasingly accessible to communities desiring self-sufficient methods of providing sustenance.
Cancer Research for Children
Cancer is more prevalent in our Native American children than any other culture and continues to increase. This area of concern is included within our Health & Wellness focus, and is a parallel to our founder's niece, Sheena Vesta Osborne's illness.
Financial Literacy
Through financial literacy programs, we equip Native youth with the tools to build economic independence and long-term stability for themselves and their communities.
Educational Programs
We raise money through corporate event sponsorship and personal contributions and disperse our funds to youth-oriented programs serving Native American communities throughout the United States. Primary areas of focus include educational programs, counseling, and children's cancer research.
Why It Matters
Pine Ridge Reservation vs. National Averages
LIFE EXPECTANCY
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
INFANT MORTALITY PER 1,000 BIRTHS
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
LIVER DISEASE DEATHS PER 100,000
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
SUICIDES PER 100,000
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
ANNUAL PER CAPITA INCOME
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
POVERTY RATE
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
(SHANNON COUNTY)
*Most recent statistics available, 2005–2010. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; South Dakota Dept. of Health.
Healthy · Affordable · Accessible Food and Housing is Urgently Needed for Indian Country
"Grow Up with Us"
— Neysa Osborne, Founder