In 1991, Connie and Bill Eastburn of Doylestown founded Americans for Native Americans with great compassion for the needs of Native Americans on the Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni Reservations. Over the past 33 years, ANA has established wonderful partnerships and, more importantly, great
friendships.

 

ANA uses these partnerships to ensure that the money our donors entrust us with makes the greatest impact possible. With no paid staff, 97% of all donations are used to support programs to improve the lives of the Native Americans we serve, and 100% of designated donations are used for
the program specified.

 

ANA has three main areas of mission:

CHILDREN ...

Education is a necessity for the success of any child. Unfortunately, most children on the reservation live in poverty and face multiple obstacles that threaten to keep them from realizing that success. ANA has a number of programs which facilitate a favorable learning environment. These programs - food for Kids, clothing, education support, health screening and eyeglasses - are all essential for children to learn and thrive.

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Food for Kids ... Many students only receive meals while they are in school and have little or nothing to eat over the weekend. In partnership with The Community Pantry, each Friday these children leave school with bags filled with nutritious food. With food to eat over the weekend, when they
arrive at school on Monday, they are more focused and ready to learn. ANA contributed $137,000 for food purchases last year and is the major support for this program. Additionally, ANA doubled its contribution to $10,000 for the Kids Café which provides a nutritious snack for middle and high
school students who stay after school for tutoring or extracurricular activities.
 

Education ... As school faculty identify their school's needs, ANA sends hundreds of library books, classroom supplies, computer supplies, board games for dorm students, and other materials.

Clothing ... There are so few jobs on the reservation that more than half of the region's adults are unemployed, which makes it nearly impossible to buy simple necessities like clothing and winter coats. Some children have only one set of clothes to wear to school; elementary schools often
launder the children's clothes while they attend class in borrowed sweat suits. ANA always sends NEW clothing ... winter coats, shirts, sweatshirts, pants, underwear, socks and shoes.

Health Screenings ... Since reservation schools do not have school nurses, they are unable to screen their students for problems such as scoliosis, hearing loss and vision defects. Each fall nurses and ANA volunteers travel to the Navajo Reservation to conduct basic health assessment clinics. We partner with the Lions Club which does the eye screening, and are assisted by UNM-G nursing students. Since 2014, when the program began, 3,386 students have been screened and more than 70% of those students were referred for follow-up care.
 

Eyeglass Program ... Through a partnership with Zuni Optical Services, ANA pays the cost of no-frill frames and lenses for students and community members who need vision correction. Since the Eyeglass Program began in 2009, ANA has provided 595 pairs of glasses - 538 pairs to the Zuni Community.
 

NURSING ...

There is a great need for Native American nurses on the reservations. ANA provides scholarships and NCLEX testing fees (board certification) for nursing students at the University of New Mexico - Gallup (UNM-G). Since 2006, ANA has awarded 299 scholarships and paid for 153 NCLEX testing fees. In 2020 scholarships were expanded to include nurses working toward advanced degrees. Since then, 49 advanced nursing degree scholarships have been awarded.
 

VETERINARY PROGRAMS …
Native American Veterinary Services (NAVS) Volunteer Clinics ... Twice a year, veterinarians travel to the Southwest to treat hundreds of small and large animals. During each trip they provide wellness exams, vaccinations, neutering of small animals and education of owners on proper animal care. They also examine and vaccinate thousands of large farm animals. ANA provides funds to purchase medical supplies used during these trips and this year purchased an ultrasonic cleaner and an autoclave for the clinics.

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SALEM SAN - OUTREACH FOR NATIVE AMERICAN GIRLS

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Salem’s Social Action Network outreach for September will focus on raising funds to combat period
poverty in indigenous communities including Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni reservations. Period poverty
refers to the inability to afford and access menstrual products. Beginning September 15 th , our
Salem family will partner with two nonprofits in their quest to combat period poverty. Please take
time to read about the services they provide on their websites Americans for Native Americans
(ANA) (www.ameriansfornativeamericans.org) , based in Doylestown since 1991 and The Kwek
(Women) Society (kweksociety.org), founded in 2018 .

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In Native American culture, menstrual periods are referred to as “Moon Time”. When a girl
experiences her first period, there is cause for family celebration as this is considered the girl’s rite of
passage to womanhood. Even though it is a memorable event in the young woman’s life, there is
unfortunately a downside. Like so many issues negatively impacting quality of life for Native
Americans, a shadow is cast on the celebration when period products are not affordable or
accessible, especially in rural areas.

The Kwek Society was introduced when organizers learned one in four girls missed school during
their “moon time” because period products were not affordable or accessible. It was Kwek members
who introduced the idea of hand sewn fabric “Moon Time bags” (period kits) that young women can
use to discreetly carry their period products. Some Salem members and community friends have
been sewing the bags.

Beginning September 15 th through October 27 th ALL of Salem’s financial gifts designated for
SAN will be forwarded to Americans for Native Americans. The funds will be used by ANA
volunteers to purchase period products and fill the “Moon time bags” sewn by volunteers. To date
almost 3000 bags have been filled by ANA volunteers and sent to the Kwek Society for distribution
(with additional period products) to indigenous communities throughout the Unted States.
Those wishing to donate to this worthy outreach should note “SAN” in the comment section of their
checks and online. PLLEASE NOTE: Salem UCC will not be purchasing or taking donations of
period products.

Questions should be directed to Barbara Burger (oldbutfit@msn.com)