Looking Back at 2020

Dear Friend,

 

Through all of the uncertainty and chaos of the past year, you have been in our thoughts. Particularly as we look to a new year with great optimism and an unwavering belief that better days are indeed ahead. Each year, during this special season, I am humbled by the love of God and the blessings he gives to us.

 

As the Pathfinder Center looks to 2021, we wanted to highlight all the work you’ve helped us complete in 2020. Human trafficking victims at the Pathfinder Center need a road map for restoring their identity, finding their faith, and rebuilding a sense of worth. With your support, the Pathfinder Center has been able to provide a path forward. Your contributions are making an impact.

Respecting our Culture

Just last week, while talking with one of the women at the center, I asked her “What is it about Pathfinder Center that is different from the other places?” To better understand this situation you have to know that before coming to the Pathfinder Center, this young woman had been through many other centers. She would flee, or break their rules and was not allowed to stay. She looked at me and said,

 

“The places before didn’t understand my Native American culture and I wasn’t able to identify with them. Here, I have Native American women that understand the historical trauma that our ancestors went through and I have a sense of belonging. You are able to relate to me. I’ve never had that before.”

 

Our culture runs deep and I’m so thankful that our work at the Pathfinder Center incorporates this.

A Survivor's Perception

We’ve been fortunate this year to have a special woman come to the center and visit with the victims. Kelly Patterson, a survivor of human trafficking, explains her story as this, 

 

“I was in small-town South Dakota, they got a hold of me at age six. I had previously been molested at age four by someone close to the family. The people involved in the trafficking ring were also close to my family; though it was unknown to my family that they were involved in this.”

 

Such a horrific story, this is all too often what we hear from the women we help.

 

Thankfully, Kelly visits the Pathfinder Center monthly for one on one meetings with the women. Through private conversations and group meetings, Kelly has been able to build bonds. The women open up easier because their conversations are with someone who’s been through it. Kelly’s perception and connection with these women is so important. We are blessed that she has answered the call to be involved in our work to help victims of human trafficking. We hope that one day the women that complete the Pathfinder Center’s program will come back and be an advocate like Kelly Patterson.

New Programs

The reservations in South Dakota are some of the most impoverished communities in the nation. The isolated locations of the reservations, lack of adequate healthcare and the high unemployment rates make for a dangerous situation for the vulnerable. In 2020, the Pathfinder Center launched a new program called the Cultural Harvesting Program through a $75,000 grant received by the NDN Collective. This specific program prepares our community for long term food sovereignty. Through the support of our wonderful donors and the community; we now have a "Cultural Navigator '' on staff. The Cultural Navigator teaches the Indigenous way of gathering, harvesting and preserving natural foods and helps transport community members to the food gathering and preparation activities. In 2020, the victims were able to gather and dry vegetables and herbs. With this they made teas, salsa’s, soups and so much more. All the while learning the Indigenous ways! 

 

Learn more about this new program here.

Unique Gifts

If you’ve been following our social media pages, you have probably seen the gift baskets that the women at the center have put together. These unique baskets were filled with items that the women have been making all summer through the Cultural Harvest Program. These products provide a livelihood for the incredible women and they get to experience the beginning process of a business plan. 100% of all the donations from these baskets go directly back to the women. If you are interested in a basket, please reach out and I’d be happy to get you the details. The recommended donation is $50 and you would receive an assortment of items made by the women at the Pathfinder Center.  

Recent Awards

The Pathfinder Center was honored to have been selected as the recipient of two grants in 2020.

 

The first grant will assist with multiple large projects that the Pathfinder Center has been working hard to find financial support to put into place. Solar panels and new wall heating/ac units are being added to the center starting this month and into 2021. But that’s not all! New computers, laptops and workout room equipment will soon be arriving at the center. This grant will also allow the Pathfinder Center with the option to utilize new programs for the women. Stay tuned, there will be more to come in 2021.

 

The Pathfinder Center was also awarded the 2021 Avera Tradition of Giving Grant. Public service announcements via commercials on Keloland stations across South Dakota will be utilized as a result. We are thrilled to have these strong leaders in our state partnering with our mission. Raising awareness about human trafficking and building these relationships will make an even bigger impact. Be on the lookout for these ads airing in 2021.


 

Without the generous support of our donors, none of this would be possible. Please join us in these efforts by making a contribution. 

 

You can join us and continue this good work through many ways.

  • Connecting with us on Facebook

  • Subscribing to our email list

  • Making a gift

  • Giving a donation from our needs list

 

Our programs are made possible by your generous support. Thank you for being part of our community and for standing with the Pathfinder Center. The work ahead will be challenging. We are confident that with your support, trafficking victims can begin a life of healing and freedom.

 

Thank you, as always. On behalf of all of us at the Pathfinder Center, I wish you a safe and healthy new year.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Heth

Executive Director, Pathfinder Center

605-245-2471

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