The stark reality of life on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota often remains unseen and unheard by much of the United States. It’s a place where poverty isn’t just a statistic; it’s a daily struggle etched into the lives of the Lakota people, particularly its children. Coach Jay Corwin, a firefighter from Clifton, Virginia, experienced this firsthand and was profoundly moved by what he witnessed. His initial expectation of encountering a level 10 on a poverty scale was shattered. "The poverty level on the Pine Ridge Reservation would probably score a 50," he stated, emphasizing the unimaginable conditions he encountered. This experience ignited a passion to help, sparking a drive to help Lakota children of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Corwin’s journey began with a desire to learn about Native American cultures. What he discovered about the Lakota Tribe compelled him to take action. In April, he, along with Assistant Coach Bruce Thayer and eleven 13-year-old boys from the SYA Mazda Mets travel baseball team, embarked on a trip to Pine Ridge. This journey wasn’t just a service project; it was a transformative experience that opened their eyes to the profound disparities existing within their own country.
The SYA Mazda Mets, beyond mastering teamwork on the baseball field, are also learning invaluable lessons in compassion and empathy. Their involvement began a year prior with a collection of backpacks filled with school supplies for elementary school children on the reservation. However, the spring break trip marked a deeper commitment. They traded their vacation for hard labor, constructing beds for children who had never known the comfort of sleeping off the floor.
Now, deeply affected by the conditions they witnessed, the Centreville-based Little Leaguers are embarking on another fund-raising campaign so they may return in August. The team plans to bring baseball gear and offer further help in whatever way they can.
The boys, hailing from Centreville, Fairfax, and Herndon, were deeply impacted by the disparity they observed. Corwin recounted their poignant questions: "Coach, when we have all these things, why do these boys and girls go to bed at night hungry and without heat?" These innocent inquiries underscored the stark contrast between their privileged lives and the daily hardships faced by the Lakota children.
Their bed-building efforts were coordinated through RE-MEMBER, a non-profit organization dedicated to home repair and providing essential resources like blankets to the reservation’s 30,000 residents. The organization addresses a critical need, as many Lakota children lack the basic necessity of a bed. RE-MEMBER provides the materials, and volunteers work alongside staff to assemble them, offering a tangible improvement to the children’s lives.
The statistics paint a grim picture of the economic challenges facing the Pine Ridge Reservation. According to RE-MEMBER’s website, a staggering 97% of the population lives below the federal poverty level, surviving on an average annual income of just $3,700. The lack of public transportation and limited industry contribute to an unemployment rate hovering around 85%. These factors create a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
Beyond economic hardship, the reservation faces harsh environmental conditions. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically, ranging from 60 below zero in the winter to 120 degrees in the summer. Shockingly, many homes lack basic necessities like heat, air conditioning, and even running water. Corwin shared a heartbreaking reality: "I saw, with my own eyes, that there are children in the U.S. who go to sleep and don’t wake up the next day because they froze to death." This stark statement underscores the life-or-death consequences of the severe conditions.
Overcrowding is another significant issue. Many families live in dilapidated three-bedroom trailers, often housing 10-12 people. Furnishings are sparse, and the presence of black mold poses serious health risks. Corwin described the conditions in one trailer: "The black mold was so thick, you could see mold spores on the ceiling and walls." Faced with the choice between food, fuel, or medical care, families often struggle to prioritize, further exacerbating the health crisis.
The challenges extend beyond housing and basic necessities. The lack of trash pickup and the remoteness of the nearest large town, 60 miles away, contribute to unsanitary conditions. While residents receive a small monthly subsidy from the federal government, the absence of jobs leaves them with limited opportunities to supplement their income. The education system also faces significant hurdles, with an 80% dropout rate. Tragically, the teen suicide rate on the reservation is 150% higher than the national average, reflecting the deep despair and lack of hope among young people.
Corwin recounted meeting a brother and sister, Striker, 3, and Jetta, 4, who live in a trailer plagued by black mold and lacking running water. He described the dire circumstances they faced: "The day we installed their beds, it was 25 degrees outside, half the windows in their home were broken, and the only thing separating them from the elements was a thin sheet of plastic. It was as cold inside as it was outside."
During their time on the reservation, Corwin and the team forged meaningful connections with the Lakota people. He became friends with Jerome High Horse, a resident who assists RE-MEMBER with bed construction. Jerome’s plea – "Don’t forget us" – resonated deeply with Corwin, solidifying his commitment to return and continue offering support.
Using the remaining funds after covering travel and lodging, the team sought out those most in need. Their discovery of Striker and Jetta’s deplorable living conditions prompted immediate action. The coaches and players pooled their resources, entrusting the money to Jerome High Horse’s wife, Theresa. She traveled 60 miles to Gordon, Nebraska, to purchase coats and shoes for the children. Upon her return, she also brought several bags of food and clothing, revealing that the toddlers lived with their grandparents, and their mother was battling cancer.
The Lakota people emphasized their desire to be self-sufficient, acknowledging that the responsibility to address the reservation’s problems ultimately lies with them. However, they also recognized the desperate need for external support. Corwin articulated their goal: "Our goal now is to be able to get support from our prosperous area so we can go back there and help again." This drive to help Lakota children of the Pine Ridge Reservation extends beyond a single trip; it’s a commitment to ongoing assistance.
To facilitate this effort, the Pine Ridge Native American Relief Fund was established. Donations can be sent to 13033 Farthing Ale Drive, Herndon, VA 20171. Corwin stressed the need for corporate sponsorship and innovative ideas to mobilize support from their community. He emphasized that the issue transcends politics or race: "It’s about children going to bed at night with no blankets and no food in their stomachs."
Corwin is available to share his experiences with potential sponsors, church groups, and civic organizations. He expressed gratitude for the private donations that made the initial trip possible, including an anonymous $1,000 check.
He believes the Lakota’s isolation contributes to their lack of support: "You drive for miles and miles, and it’s just barren. They feel like they’ve been forgotten. The overwhelming feeling I got as I entered people’s homes was: ‘No shoes, no food, no clothes, no hope.’" This lack of opportunity breeds a sense of hopelessness. As Corwin poignantly asked, "When you’re not afforded any opportunity to succeed, how do you wake up tomorrow and say, ‘This is going to be a better day’?"
Baseball holds a special place in the hearts of the Lakota children, serving as the biggest summer activity. However, the lack of resources is evident even in this simple pastime. Children often resort to writing their numbers on the backs of their shirts with markers, due to the lack of uniforms. The Mazda Mets plan to return in August with baseball equipment donated by Annandale Sports, aiming to share their baseball skills and enthusiasm with the children.
Corwin’s son, Kyle, a Stone Middle seventh-grader, described the trip as "a wake-up call to see the difference in conditions between here and there. It changed the way I look at life. A bad day here is nothing compared to the way they live there." He reflected on the wastefulness often seen in their community, realizing that leftover food could be life-saving for a child on the reservation. Regarding the bed-building, Kyle felt a sense of accomplishment, "knowing that every minute we spent building a bed was a minute a kid could have sleeping in one for the first time."
Owen Saul, a 13-year-old from Trinity Christian School, noted the Lakota’s warmth and hospitality: "They were very thankful, and it made you feel really good that you were able to help. And seeing people sitting on a bed you made is an incredible thing." He also gained a newfound appreciation for his own blessings: "I definitely learned to be thankful for what I’ve got. Their baseball field has tires for bases, and their grass is pretty much weeds and hard sand. So Coach reminded us that, when we think some fields are bad here, it could be a lot worse."
Parker Hill, of Herndon Middle School, shared the emotional challenges of witnessing the poverty firsthand: "The hardest thing was going to the houses and trying not to cry in front of the people, or they’d feel sadder. We wanted them to know we were there to help them, not to feel sorry for them." He recognized that the Lakota children don’t even consider asking for things that are taken for granted in his community: "They don’t even have the things we take for granted." Parker’s wish is simple yet profound: "To help them out of their poverty so they could live a life that most people in the U.S. do."
The drive to help Lakota children of the Pine Ridge Reservation is a testament to the power of compassion and the potential for positive change. It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on the lives of those struggling with extreme poverty. The journey of Coach Corwin and the SYA Mazda Mets serves as an inspiration, urging others to look beyond their own circumstances and extend a helping hand to those in need. This initiative highlights the urgent need for continued support and awareness to address the systemic issues plaguing the Pine Ridge Reservation, ensuring a brighter future for its children. The drive to help Lakota children of the Pine Ridge Reservation requires sustained effort and commitment from individuals, organizations, and communities willing to make a difference.