ONE Spirit
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March 24, 2013
We send money to them. That should say it all. I know many people who are on or are from Pine Ridge and I know for a fact that not only is One Spirit helping but they are highly thought of by the local people. If they get my money it means I trust them to do what is right.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
2 people found this review helpful
December 4, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
The 5000 mi.² area South Dakota that contains the Pine Ridge Reservation and a Lakota population of about 40,000 represents a largely forgotten and unseen shame in our country in this, the 21st century. The poverty and substandard living conditions on this reservation are unbelievable except to those who have been there and seen it for themselves.
ONE Spirit is a nonprofit charitable organization offering humanitarian and compassionate help for the Lakota people by supporting Lakota initiatives rather than a “we have the solution” approach. There is a SHARE food program to fight chronic malnutrition, sponsorships for children and elders, firewood for heat in the winter, and a program to address the particular urgent needs of individuals and families.
ONE Spirit especially focuses on helping the Lakota youth. Last year they built and furnished a safe house for young Lakota children in need. This year they are working toward building a youth center for the Lakota youth.
100% of all revenues in donations are used in direct programs, with no paid administrators. I know of no other organization that so effectively helps the Lakota people and that is so well accepted by the Lakota people. Truly, ONE Spirit is an organization that deserves much support.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
December 1, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I visited the PIne Ridge reservation many years ago on a road trip through the West. I was instantly struck by both the warmth of the people and the obvious signs of extreme poverty, such as stores with half empty shelves. ONE Spirit is filling a unique and crucial role- helping to raise awareness of conditions on the reservation while simultaneously supporting the people in their mission of empowerment. We all need this organization.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
November 28, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
My family and I wanted to sponsor a child for a long time. After doing some research, I found One Spirit and I was instantly amazed at how well their organization is managed and how many people they help. Helping families who live in the U.S was very important to my family and I. We are so happy that we found One Spirit and that we are able to sponsor three children. One Spirit is an amazing organization and I am truly proud to be a part of their efforts to help those in need!!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 26, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I've been a sponsor to 2 families & an elder for ONE Spirit since October. Since then I have been able to provide food to those I sponsor through their food program. In addition, I've been able to speak directly with the people I am sponsoring and find out what the needs of their family are to ensure that what I send to them is what they need. The boxes sent are care packages filled with clothing, winter gear, blankets, personal hygiene products, household supplies like laundry detergent and other basic necessities. Sending these things helps to stretch what money they do make and helps to lift the financial burden many of these families face. The direct connection with my families and elder aren't just business though. We are forming friendships and I look forward to talking to them. What ONE spirit provides is an essential service for the Lakota people. They are dependable, prompt & friendly. Their dedication and service to the Lakota people on Pine Ridge is helping to promote self sufficiency through work opportunities for the people on the reservation, cultivating intercultural relationship through the bridges they build with people outside of Pine Ridge and preserving the culture, language and spirit of a people who are rich in ways that far surpass monetary means. It has been a true honor and privilege to be a part of a volunteer community that is doing amazing work and allowing me to learn more about the Lakota people who I greatly admire. If you want to get involved with an organization where you control when, where and how much of what you donates goes, ONE Spirit is for you! You can be a part of this ONE Spirit family and help make a difference in the lives of the people on Pine Ridge.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 24, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I learned about One Spirit through the Lutheran Women's Organization in Virginia. One Spirit helps to provide the essentials of life to the Lakota People. The Lakota people live in poor conditions in one of the coldest area of the country. One Spirit is working to provide hope for a better life for the young people of the reservation. I admire greatly those young people who trained to run in the New York Marathon only to have their high hopes for success thwarted by Sandy, the hurricane that devastated parts of New York and New Jersey. They stayed and helped those who hadsuffered damage in the storm. Donations I made to One Spirit go to help those in need.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 21, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I've been supporting OneSpirit for 1,5 year, making a monthly donation to their Food program and Wood Program. Since many on the rez heat their homes with wood, working on the wood program means that the men there have a job opportunity. For the Food Program, OneSpirit buys fresh food pruduced in SD. OneSpirit is a charity close to my heart, will continue to support as long as I can.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
November 21, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
Thanks to the One Spirit volunteers I can directly help native American families who are desperate for living essentials and whose needs are not met by federal safety nets. I can send specific items right to the persons who need them - they get 100% of what I send, and the door is open to share a personal friendship as well. There are a number of different ways to make a very significant difference without loss to administrative siphons. This organization fosters community building, cultural enrichment and employment within the Lakota circle and meaningful relationships with the outside world. One Spirit is a fantastic way to directly help and give back to the great nation of people who are the original Americans, and to who have sacrificed so much for our sake. I am honored and grateful to be a part of this program.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 20, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I came across this non-profit charity just a couple of months ago while browsing the internet. Being very interested in history and the First Nations, it was a natural thing for me to click on ONE Spirit's website. It is amazing how many projects ONE Spirit stands for; and all of them help the Lakota People in different ways. I had begun as a donor of food and clothes requested for by the OKINI program, with OKINI standing for sharing amongst people. All donations sent arrived at the requestor - also monetary donations made via the ONE Spirit website arrive in full, and not a dime is taken off the amount for admin or other costs. I can only recommend this non-profit charity to the max, their program really deserves cudos. By now my family and I are sponsors of two elders of the Oglala Sioux, we keep in touch regularly, and they also are very satisfied on how ONE Spirit helps the tribe help themselves with introducing several youth programs such as the Crazy Horse Youth Ride and the Youth Center, or partaking in the New York City marathon which was canceled after Sandy - however, the Lakota runners did not just return home but helped moving the debris - now they are true warriors. ONE Spirit simply rocks!!!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 19, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I came across One Spirit while browsing the internet - I was looking at organisations which offered to Sponsor a Child but was finding it difficult to find one where I would have been able to help someone directly. When I found One Spirit and emailed to find out more my details were passed to a coordinator (Mavis) who asked me a few questions and after a few weeks and a few more emails I was put in touch with an elder directly. I wrote a letter to the elder and family and explained who I was and what I hoped to do and for how long I thought I might be able to do it. That was around 18 months ago. I send a small package each month. I know that every penny I spend goes directly to the elder and I like to be able to help someone directly.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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