Transformation Through Relationship

Many people who are homeless struggle with trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, or grief, and they could greatly benefit from therapy. Some clients struggle with addiction and need an intensive treatment setting. Despite the need, most of our clients have not connected with these services.

We feel that some of this disconnect is cultural. In Lakota culture, relationships come first. It is unnatural to tell a stranger about your struggles. Thus a lack of relationship prevents some of our Lakota shelter guests from receiving services.

To bridge the gap, we are bringing both mental health counseling and addiction counseling into the shelter. Abram Neumann will soon have clinical supervision so that he can provide drug and alcohol evaluations directly to the homeless community. Abram’s mother, Diana DeVries, has achieved licensure in South Dakota specifically so that she can provide telehealth mental health counseling. She recently made an in-person visit to the reservation and began her first sessions.

By providing services rooted in relationships, we will be able to help individuals who would not have reached out for help before!