ThinkFirst Navajo, an Eve’s Fund program, aims to keep Native American kids safe through injury prevention education. Over the past two years, we have supplied upwards of 200 safety helmets to kids across the Navajo Nation.
We learned long ago that it is not enough just to give away bike helmets. Integral to the ThinkFirst Navajo program is the accompanying safety education that teaches kids the importance of always wearing the right-sized helmets on their heads, not just when on a bike, but when riding on a horse, an ATV, skateboard, etc.
Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability for children under 18 in the U.S., so directing Eve’s Fund resources toward injury prevention is a top priority for us.
“Use your mind to protect your body”
ThinkFirst Navajo’s helmet initiative teaches kids at a young age that the only way to avoid brain injuries while riding on bikes, horses, off-road vehicles and skateboards, or participating in sports like football and skiing, is to wear the appropriate protective headgear.
Education emphasizing techniques for “using your mind to protect your body” is key to helping kids understand how quickly injuries can happen when they don’t “Think First” before engaging in high-risk activities that could cause harm.
Community Partnerships
Eve’s Fund is proud of its track record of creating successful community partnerships and offering funding support to community-based organizations on and near the Navajo Nation that share our vision and values.
Last year, as part of National Brain Injury Prevention Month, we donated 100 helmets to our long-time community partner, NavajoYES. The organization’s Dinê Bike Project provides restored bikes to schools, communities and families, across the Navajo Nation. Young people are given a bicycle and a bike helmet after donating some of their time to community service projects, such as restoring trails, repairing bikes, or volunteering at other youth events. Some of the older children enjoy helping their elders with restoration and repair.
Moreover, for the second year in a row, and thanks to the Friends of Eve’s Fund, we generously supported a successful bike rodeo sponsored by the Kayenta Indian Health Service (IHS) Health Promotion Program. The young participants received a certificate after successfully completing the Bike Rodeo and they signed the “Helmets on Heads” form, pledging always to wear safety helmets and to encourage their friends and family to do the same.
Encouraging Skateboard Safety
With an increasing interest in skateboarding on the Navajo Nation due to the opening of the new Two Grey Hills Skate Park, Eve’s Fund is supporting youth-based organizations involved with teaching safety for skateboarding as well as biking and other outdoor activities.
Research shows that:“20% of all skateboarding injuries are to the head, and a higher proportion of head injuries occur to skateboarders under 10 years old. “
In many states, there are no laws requiring skateboarders to wear helmets. Unfortunately, a fall or collision can easily result in a severe head injury. Wearing a helmet can help people from these injuries.
We are pleased to be able to provide 40 helmets to the upcoming “Skateboard and Bike Safety” Event being sponsored by the Tuba City Office of Diné Youth in partnership with the Kayenta Township. Diné Youth’s mission is: “To advocate, educate, and develop resilient, healthy generations of youth through partnerships to balance and live in a diverse society.”
With an increase in skateboarding on the Navajo Nation, Eve’s Fund looks forward to continuing and expanding our partnerships with community organizations committed to injury prevention.
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T H A N K Y O U !
Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives, established 18 years ago, is a Navajo Nation-based non-profit organization sponsoring injury prevention, literacy and education programs for Native American youth.
