The Nnee Bich’o Nii program strives to “Promote Education, Training, Employment and Transportation” through the many services they provide; G.E.D. classes, Community Development Training, Subsidized Employment and Apache Transit (just to name a few). Laphondtina Young (Tina) is a participant that is taking full advantage of the services to provide a better future for her family.

Tina is the mother of two adorable children; Mya, 10 and Noah, 5. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant to provide for her family, but she had bigger dreams; she wanted to be a Registered Nurse. She focused on her education, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in the Nursing program at Gila County Community College through Eastern Arizona College. She qualified to receive a partial Pell Grant which covered the cost of the courses but nothing more. She began her classes in August 2019.

Struggling to make ends meet, Tina found herself reaching out to Nnee Bich’o Nii. She states, “I had always heard about TANF but didn’t know if I qualified since I’m not from here.” Tina is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. The services provided by Nnee Bich’o Nii is available to anyone with a dependent child or children who has established residency on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Applicants are never denied on the basis of their race or tribal affiliation.

Tina filled out an application and was assigned to Karina Bendle, training and employment counselor. Since she was a student, enrolled in college, she qualified to receive a monthly cash stipend. It is not a fortune that receives but just enough to help pay a few bills and purchase a few household items. She found herself in need of help when she had to pay a fee for an online course, so she reached out to Karina. Nnee Bich’o Nii was able to pay for the course.

Karina and Tina have established a solid working relationship. Karina reaches out to Tina on a regular basis, to check up on her, to see if she needs help with anything, to assure her that she is not alone, to provide encouragement and support. Tina states that Karina is very helpful, approachable and is constantly looking for ways to help. That is the goal of the Nnee Bich’o Nii Program; to “help the people” become independent.

Tina took her leap of faith and found the Nnee Bich’o Nii Program and together they are working on seeing her dream of being a Registered Nurse come true. She plans on completing her courses in May 2021. Until then, Tina will be eligible to receive the support, encouragement and services from Nnee Bich’o Nii. Her long-term goals include earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate in Nursing.

Tina would like to let the community know that “nothing is impossible, that there is help out there” and she found that help through the Nnee Bich’o Nii Program.

The Nnee Bich’o Nii Program is there to help. For more information or to apply for services, you can visit or call their office in Peridot, 928-475-5011 or in Bylas, 928-475-5032.