We are fundraising to support Youth in Nature
The mission of Sacred Rok is to support youth in nature, helping youth to learn to respect nature and through that, to respect themselves. Our programs seek to help break the barriers between the youth and the outdoor; welcoming underrepresented communities to experience nature in potentially new and interesting ways is core to our programs.
Based on a curriculum founded in ‘Learning by Doing' the youth expand personal boundaries through hands on activities like fly fishing, rock climbing, hiking, trail restoration, habitat restoration and workshops on Indigenous Ecological Knowledge facilitated by local Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers. The youth also learn land stewardship and conservation by hands on work within the Bishop Conservation Open Space Area (COSA) which is managed by the Environmental Department of the Bishop Paiute Tribe as well as river and riparian restoration clean-ups and in Yosemite National Park through the Climbing Rangers.
We work with young people and youth-serving agencies throughout central and northern California - but we are unique because of our close and longterm work with incarcerated youth. We have partnered with Juvenile Hall in Merced County for 12 years, and with Juvenile Hall in San Benito County for 7 years and are in our first year of programming with Inyo County Juvenile Probation.
Here is what one Juvenile Hall youth says about Sacred Rok. “I have never been on a hike before that was my first time experiencing this type of journey. I thought it was pretty cool. I felt free! I was able to see a lot of different things out there. We saw a baby fox wondering around the park, a pair of squirrels asking for food. Everything was so green and we were surrounded by giant rocks and we even saw a beautiful waterfall. We went through caves and explored all over the park. We basically hiked all day and just kept going forward, it was a wonderful day. “ - Probation Youth
It costs more than $90,000 a year to keep a youth locked up in juvenile detention centers and the recidivism rate is shockingly high. What if those dollars instead went to alternative, enriching and supportive programs for youth within underserved communities?
Through their time with Sacred Rok the youth learn responsibility and respect for themselves, for each other and for the environment. The best way we do this is through ongoing and longterm relationships.
With your help, together we can further our commitment to supporting these youth in finding their own unique selves.
With Respect,
Ron Kauk, Executive Director
& Katie Lambert, Chief Operating Officer