The Division of Indian Work (DIW) has been a key contributor to the Native community for almost 70 years. Our mission is to support and strengthen urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development. We achieve this by focusing on community and delivering programs and services directly or in partnership with other organization
s. Our vision is American Indian communities that build upon inherent strengths and create safe, healthy, and nurturing environments in which everyone thrives. DIW PROGRAMS
Healing Spirit provides education and assistance to youth in the long-term foster care system and those transitioning to independent living. This program includes the Healing Spirit House which provides in-house services, complete with house parents, for long-term foster care American Indian boys who would otherwise be on the streets. The Healthy Transitions Program which works with Healing Spirit boys and other young foster care boys and girls, both in and out of foster care, ages 16 to 21 to prepare them for successful independent living when they age out of the foster care system at 18. Health Services operates a food shelf, counsels pregnant women about raising healthy babies and child development and teaches culturally-specific healthy sexuality for teens. This program addresses hunger issues through Horizons Unlimited food shelf, helps expectant mothers adopt healthy lifestyles so they give birth to healthy babies through Women of Traditional Birthing program and works to prevent teen pregnancy through the Live It! Strengthening Family Circles provides assistance with parenting, affordable housing, sexual exploitation, domestic violence and spiritual practices through classes, counseling, community outreach and additional support. Our staff works with teen and adult American Indian mothers, fathers and expectant parents, provides case management and home visits, group meetings, supportive housing, and family violence prevention services. Youth Leadership Development Program encourages well-rounded success by providing youth with a wide variety of learning opportunities, including Native language and cultural enrichment, after-school tutoring, homework help, college prep mentoring as well as recreational, environmental and artistic activities. Our staff provides in-school and after-school tutoring and homework helps with cultural and recreational activities for American Indian youth ages 5-17.
