04/09/2026
At Thrive Tribes Diversion Classes, we are intentional about connecting our youth to culture, identity, and meaning. Each month, we focus on the Lakota name of the moon and what it represents.
April is known as the “Moon of the Greening Grass.” Unlike Western calendar months, Indigenous moons are not fixed—they follow the natural cycles of the earth and sky. This season marks a time when the grass begins to grow again, signaling the arrival of spring. It reminds us that even after the harshest seasons, life returns. Growth is always possible.
We use this teaching to encourage our youth: no matter how difficult your past season has been, new beginnings are possible. You can grow again.
This month, we had the honor of welcoming Danny Pacheco, an Indigenous man whose life reflects that very message. From incarceration in federal prison to successfully completing parole, Danny now uses his strength, faith, and love for Jesus to minister to others. His story is a powerful testimony of transformation and resilience.
Danny shared this message with our youth:
“When I hear ‘Moon of the Greening Grass,’ I think about how nothing grows in winter. Everything looks still, quiet—even lifeless. But underneath the surface, life is still there. It’s just waiting for the right time.
That was my life.
My winter wasn’t snow—it was the choices I was making. I thought I was in control, but I was stuck. Eventually, that life caught up to me, and I ended up in prison.
That was one of the lowest points of my life. Alone with my thoughts, I had to face how I got there. I experienced loss, regret, and pain I couldn’t undo.
But in that place, something changed.
I made a quiet decision: I didn’t want that life anymore.
Change didn’t happen overnight. Just like spring, growth came little by little. I took responsibility. I changed my mindset. I built discipline. Most importantly, I built a real relationship with Jesus.
Slowly, life started coming back.
Today, I have peace. I have purpose. And I get to speak life into others.
So if you feel like you’re in a winter season—know this: it’s not the end of your story. You are not too far gone. But growth is a choice.
When you decide to grow, nothing can stop what God is doing in your life.”
Wóphila (thank you), Danny, for continuing to show up for our youth and for being a living example of growth after hardship. & Thank you to for supporting Danny & for delivering your guidance to our Youth. 🙏🏽
Throughout April, we will continue exploring the meaning of the Moon of the Greening Grass and guiding our youth toward healing, growth, and new beginnings.
