IMPACT
in Rapid City
Your Generosity in Action
Thanks to your support, United Way of the Black Hills is proud to share real stories — told in the words of our partners — that show how your generosity is making a difference every day.
Friends of the Children-He Sapa-Guiding Paths: Mentoring Indigenous Youth and Families for a Brighter Future
When JD* enrolled in Friends-He Sapa’s program in early 2024, he was considered notorious amongst Rapid City Schools’ administrators. His reputation stemmed from an absence of prosocial development and trauma mitigation skills.
JD was only in the first grade but had already been expelled from three schools and was on his way to adding a fourth one to his list. Relative Isaiah was paired with JD and began to get to know him. At first, they engaged in activities that helped JD and Isaiah develop a bond.
These activities were fun for JD and made the relationship find a natural path forward. This helped Isaiah get to know JD’s strengths and assets and learn how to support him in school. This included Isaiah spending two hours a week with JD in the classroom, focusing on developing the prosocial skills that empower academic improvements.
After six weeks, the principal called ED Swan, expressing amazement at the 180-degree turnaround JD was making in school. The principal stated that JD was not only able to control his behavior, but his grades were also up. The principal attributed this to Isaiah’s presence in the classroom with JD.
JD’s improvement in school is not unexpected for youth enrolled in our program. Each child is paired with a mentor like Isaiah, and the benefit of this holistic relationship has a ripple effect. It extends the teacher’s capacity in the classroom to work with the other students and increases the positive academic outcomes of the whole class.
*Initials changed for confidentiality
Thanks to generous donors like you, United Way of the Black Hills is able to make stories like this possible!