Eight years ago today, my beautiful 30 year old daughter, Eve, died in Los Angeles. I didn’t think I could, or would, continue living. Somehow, through all of the shock, numbness, helplessness, sadness, missing, yearning and despair, I have survived.
As a health professional, I knew that a tragedy could happen to anyone at any time. I had just never internalized that “anyone” could be me.
December 2012
Yá’át’ééh Friends!
As 2012 draws to a close, we want to thank you for all you have done to support us in promoting hope and wellness for Native American youth. Eve’s Fund has had another good year and we continue to make a difference in the lives of young people across the Navajo Nation. Here are a few highlights:
By Jenny Kane jkane@daily-times.com
11/08/2012
FARMINGTON — Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives received more than $10,800 from the Con Alma Health Foundation.
The award was one of 22 grants given by Con Alma to New Mexico nonprofits working to support long-term systemic changes that will improve health in the state.
Eve’s Fund will use the grant to expand its ThinkFirst Navajo Injury Prevention Program, which reduces brain and spinal cord injuries and fatalities among at-risk Navajo youth and teens by providing culturally sensitive, free education to schools on the Navajo Nation.
“Our program teaches children in grades one through 12 how to avoid risky behaviors that can cause brain and spinal cord injuries, and death,” said Barbara Crowell Roy, president of Eve’s Fund.
In 2013, ThinkFirst Navajo expects to teach 3,000 to 4,5000 students about serious injuries related to vehicle crashes, sports injuries, alcohol, violence and other factors.
Navajo speakers with paraplegia are scheduled to make presentations at 30 or more schools across the Navajo Nation.
Read more > Daily Times Con Alma
This past summer, Navajo youth put in more than 1,000 hours of physical labor, restoring miles of trails and completing maintenance projects across the Navajo Nation.
They also pedaled for miles on Reservation roads…gained valuable skills in basic woodworking, first aid, and bike maintenance…and learned about the history and geography of the Navajo Nation.
“In all that we do on the Tour each summer, we strive for moments where kids realize they are part of something bigger than themselves and they can indeed affect that larger world around them,” says Riggenback.
At just six years old, Cecelia Fred was accidentally shot in the spinal cord.
She has been paraplegic ever since.
As a child, she endured multiple operations to straighten her spine. She spent hours and hours in physical therapy to strengthen her upper body and prepare for life in a wheelchair.
As an adult, Cecelia became an advocate for individuals with disabilities, especially those with spinal injuries. She tenaciously sought out influential people in the Navajo tribe, the New Mexico state government, and the Federal government. Her tireless efforts led to better conditions and treatment for disabled individuals.
On May 5, more than 1,200 people will descend on tiny Shiprock, N.M. to participate in the annual Shiprock Marathon, organized by our community partner, NavajoYES.
For marathoners, this race is appealing because it’s the only one of its kind on the Navajo Nation.
But the event also holds a great deal of promise for those who aren’t long-distance runners.
For families from the surrounding Navajo community, activities include a Health & Wellness Expo, 10K trail run/walk and 1K Fun Run for younger children.
For the 2011-12 academic year, Eve’s Fund awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, N.M. This amount covered all required student fees at the residential high school.
We’re extremely grateful to Elfonzo Nephew of Nova Corporation and Derrick Watchman of Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise for providing the matching grants that allowed us to double our original funding goal.
Priti Mehta (L), of the Reeve Foundation presents Quality of Life Grant to ThinkFirst Navajo VIP speakers, Doris Dennison (R) and Cecelia Fred (R)
FARMINGTON, N.M. – February 24, 2012 – Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives is proud to announce that it has received a $5,000 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The award was one of 76 grants awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that aid in providing more opportunities, access and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families and caregivers.
Over the last 18 months, the residents of Red Mesa, Arizona, lost three young lives to suicide.
In this community–as in many communities on the Navajo Nation–there is an urgent need to provide Navajo youth with skills and support to help them recognize their own strengths and talents.
They need hope for a better future. They need a reason to live.
As we look ahead to the New Year with optimism and hope, we’ll continue our dedication to literacy, injury prevention, mental health and education initiatives for young Native Americans.
If you believe in what we are doing to help Native American youth, you can support our initiatives by making a donation though our online secure Pay Pal account:
Or by sending a check to:
Eve's Fund for Native American Health Initiatives
c/o Robert M. Crowell, MD
P.O. Box 73
Dalton, MA 01227
