On September 18th, the Center’s Program Coordinator, Josie Raphaelito, will head to Wittenberg, Wisconsin to support Dirk’s Run and represent the Center for Native American Youth. The Ho-Chunk Youth Council and the Wittenberg Youth & Learning Center are supporting Dirk’s Run by creating two five-person relay teams that will join Dirk during his second marathon in Appleton, Wisconsin. Josie will join four Ho-Chunk Nation youth and tribal leaders in running a 5.24 mile leg in one of the marathon relay teams.
The Ho-Chunk Youth Council has also organized a post-race dinner for Dirk and the Center. Josie will be highlighting the Center’s mission and work and also introducing our partnerhsip with the tribal leader from the Sac & Fox tribe in Iowa. Mr. Whitebreast will take the stage and describe his story of healing after his family lost his younger sister, Darcy Jo, to suicide in 2003 and express his commitment to raising awareness of Native youth suicide prevention. He will also share his experience of running marathons and his efforts to set an example of commitment, motivation, hard work and leadership for all Native American youth.
Click here to view the Wittenberg Youth & Learning Center’s flyer highlighting this Community Action Plan on Suicide Prevention event.
Visit our website here to read more about Dirk’s Run and to view a full listing of Dirk’s 10 marathons.
**Special thanks to the Ho-Chunk Nation for supporting the Center and Dirk’s Run!
