Building self confidence by encouraging young people to stretch their comfort zone and deepen their ancestral relationship to the natural world
Project Venture has served more than 9,000 Indigenous youth in 25 states, 8 Canadian provinces, Hungary, and most recently, Jamaica.
“In the beginning, there were instructions. We were to have compassion for one another to live and work together, to depend on each other for support. we were told we were all related and interconnected to each other.”
- Vickie Downey, Tesuque Pueblo
program impact
At Project Venture, we believe in the power of our young people telling their stories and data. Since 2004, our model has been officially recognized by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) as a best practice and is recommended for replication both nationally and internationally.
EVALUATION OF PV PARTICIPANTS SHOWED fewer RISKY BEHAVIORS, INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE, TEEN PREGNANCY, VIOLENCE, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY
PV youth DEMONSTRATED POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS INCLUDING greater COMPETENCY, CONNECTION, CHARACTER, CARING, CONFIDENCE, AND CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY
PV in pikangikum first nations (Ontario), Canada showed decreases in youth crime and increases in positive relationships between youth, the community, and police
Project Venture Awards
2021
Program of the Year Award
Presented to Project Venture by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
2010- McClellan Hall
Alice King Public Service Award
Presented by the State of New Mexico Governor’s Office
2012
Indian Health Service Director’s Behavioral Health Achievement Award
Presented to McClellan Hall and Project Venture
2015- McClellan Hall
Alec Dickson Servant
Leadership Award
Presented at the National Service Learning Conference by the National Youth Leadership Council
2019
SHIFT Award
Presented to Project Venture by Outside magazine
2000
Exemplary Program Award
Presented to Project Venture by the State of New Mexico Behavioral Health Department
2002
Promising Program Award
Presented to Project Venture by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) and the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
2003
Most Effective Program for Indigenous Youth Award
For Indigenous Youth in SAMHSA’s National High Risk Youth Study
2005
Model Program Award
Presented to Project Venture by SAMHSA/NREPP
2007
Exemplary Program Award for Children of Color
Presented to Project Venture by the First Nations Behavioral Health Association
2007
Milestone Program Award
Presented to Project Venture by the W.K. Kellog Foundation
2009
Best Practice for American Indian, Alaska Native and Pacific Island Indigenous Youth
Presented to Project Venture by the First Nations Behavioral Health Association
1995 - McClellan Hall
Kurt Hahn Award
Presented by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). The award is given to an individual who best exemplifies the work of Kurt Hahn, the Founder of Outward Bound.
1997- McClellan Hall
Spirit of Crazy Horse Award
Presented by the Black Hills Institute/Journal for Bringing Courage to Discouraged Youth.
1997- McClellan Hall
Trail Blazer Award
Presented by the National Service Learning Coalition for outstanding work in the field of Service Learning.
1989
Showcase Program Award
Presented by the U.S. Department of Education