VSA arts Affiliates

South Dakota - Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living

Organizational Profile:

Projected Total 2005 Income (including in-kind contributions): $60, 000 Direct Participants: 858 Total Congressional Districts Served: 1

The mission of Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living is to empower individuals with disabilities who choose to live independently. Providing independent living-related information and referral services for South Dakotans with disabilities, Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living’s programs include a training on living independently; consumer advocacy information on accessing support services; community living services; and attendant service programs.

Programming Partners and Other Funders:

Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living; Children's Care Hospital & School; Children's Home Society; Crow Creek Head Start; East Central Mental Health; Ft. Thompson Head Start; Human Service Agency; Lower Brule Head Start; McCrossan Boys Ranch; Oscar Howe Native American Art Institute through the University of South Dakota

State Programs

Educational Programs and Artist Residencies

Artists in Classrooms

This program serves Native American children, ages three to six, who are enrolled in Head Start Programs on South Dakota Reservations. Head Start Programs are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. An estimated 95 Head Start children will participate this year. The children produce artwork and reinforce their concepts of color, eye-hand coordination, and listening skills.

Professional Development and Technical Assistance

Artist Residency

The Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living recognizes that the arts have the potential to assist individuals with disabilities as they develop a greater capacity to express themselves, explore, discover, and make decisions. Creative arts activities develop problem solving skills and new ways to communicate needs and desires through participation in arts activities. Increased social skills, self-awareness, and self-esteem help individuals maintain a more positive attitude about themselves, their work, their co-workers, and their employer. The Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living works with an artist to provide a five-day residency.

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