Nnee Bich'o Nii

Nnee Bich'o Nii means "Help the People" in the Apache language. Nnee Bich'o Nii is the name given to the San Carlos Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF). It is a welfare-to-work program that helps families with dependent children to become self-sufficient through education, training, support services and cash assistance. Bernadette Kniffin, Director, saw the need for reliable tra

nsportation to help the people find employment, get an education, shop for basic necessities and for recreational purposes. Bernadette says, "we started with 3 vans and 1 driver". Today, Apache Transit has a fleet of 15 buses and 8 drivers. The public routes cover the San Carlos & Bylas communities and connect the neighboring towns of Globe and Safford, Arizona. Apache Transit provides safe, reliable and affordable transportation for commuters going to work and school. They also provide a 24/7 shuttle service for employees of Apache Gold and Apache Sky casinos. Nnee Bich'o Nii Services also manages the maintenance project. The San Carlos & Bylas community members refer to this project at the TANF construction crew. The goal of this project is to provide on-the-job training in the construction and maintenance fields. The participants of the maintenance project learn hands-on and in classroom setting. Their biggest project to date was helping build parts of the San Carlos Apache Sports Complex which includes a skate park, basketball courts, a baseball/soccer field, volleyball courts and public restrooms to name a few of their projects. The participants also give back to the community by helping the Nnee Bich'o Nii's kinship participants remodel their homes and harvesting firewood for the elders.