His Lakota name is Hoksila. He is 13 yrs old and no longer lives at home. He is small and looks much younger than his age. When he showed up at the "safe house" on the reservation, he didn't talk much and mostly stayed by himself. Now he sometimes laughs or smiles. He helps take care of the horses and does chores. Recently his grandmother called, the first contact from the family. Hoksila doesn't see his mother or father much. They don't live together. They both have drinking problems. He came to the Safe House for food and stayed because he was given so much more.



Hoksila is not in foster care nor does he receive any help from the state. Billy and Donna provide food, shelter and clothing from their own pockets. They teach him traditional ways and values. And, they support his staying in school and away from drugs, alcohol, and gangs.
Billy and Donna have 17 kids living with them. In addition, they work with other Lakota adults to design camping experiences and equine therapy for 50 teen-agers at risk of becoming involved with drugs, alcohol, and gangs. The programs will provide the kids with the experiences most needed to shape their hopes and interests - cultural values and traditions, a sense of belonging and accomplishment, responsibility, leadership, a spirit of adventure, and fun and excitement.



Your donation to One Spirit will provide Billy, Donna and the kids with some of their urgent needs.

Urgent Needs for the Safehouse:

• As many sleeping bags as possible - rated for the lowest temperatures possible - hopefully at least zero.
• Sleeping mats to keep the kids off the ground and to keep their sleeping bags dry.
• Queen size air mattress or some other inflatable sleeping pad.
• Cots or sleeping mats for older adults helping with the kids.
• Two large tarps or some portable covers to make a cooking "shack".
• 10 lanterns - preferably battery operated.
• 5 more tents.

One Spirit is dedicated to supporting crucial community programs created by the Lakota themselves. The youth programs are critical for the young people who desperately need food, shelter, and loving care.
To make a monetary donation:

Via Paypal:

By check -
One Spirit, P.O. Box 3209
Rapid City, SD 57709


To donate new tents, sleeping bags and mats, or lanterns:
Contact Jeri Baker

Love and Peace,
The One Spirit Staff

Names have been changed to protect the children's privacy.
Photographs are not associated with youth at Safe House.