Category Archives: Impact Stories

Lost and Found Assoc. – Campus Connections Black Hills State University demonstrated strong demand for mental health education and peer support throughout the academic year. Lost & Found responded to requests for Bystander Intervention, Mental Health Foundations, QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer), Boundary Setting, and Coping/Self-Care training. These sessions prompted additional student outreach for mental healthContinue reading “Impact in Northern Hills”

Custer School District-School-Based Substance Prevention and Early Intervention STORY #1 – elementary level impact A group of junior high students did a presentation under the guidance of the Clinical Mental Health & Addictions Counselor on SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) for elementary students. One of the younger students (Bill) approached the team afterwards and sharedContinue reading “Impact in Southern Hills”

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota-Arise Youth Center/West Last year, the Outreach Case Manager worked with a 17-year-old youth referred to Arise through a court order. They worked together to plan for discharge and began exploring independent living options. The Outreach Case Manager assisted the youth and his parents with applying to a local independentContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Lifeways-Lifeways Elementary School Prevention I was attending a football game for my son in October 2024. All of the sudden I hear a few voices yelling “Mrs. Ames!” I turn around and see 5 middle school aged boys running towards me, waving their hands and smiling. These students are currently in 6th grade at WestContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Custer School District-School-Based Substance Prevention and Early Intervention The Custer School District students are in large made up of students within the district proper, both in Hermosa and Custer. There are a small number of students that Open Enroll from nearby districts, which is determined on a case-by-case basis. This student population varies but typicallyContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Compass Point-Compass Point Inpatient and Outpatient Counseling Services Compass Point, you reminded me what it was like to dance in the rain! It’s uncomfortable to be cold, not to be able to see and to be soaking wet. But it’s so damn beautiful to dance and jump and do cartwheels in the rain. I thinkContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

C.O.R.E.- Community Organized Resources for Educating Youth-Freshman Impact Rapid City teens who attended a Freshman Impact teen risk-reduction program last year stated the following on program evaluations: “I will encourage my friends to not drink and drive.” “It will give me a long-lasting vision of what not to do and how it will affect lives.”Continue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Youth and Family Services, Inc.-Youth & Family Services/Counseling Center United Way funding has made a profound difference in the life of a 10-year-old client who is working to heal from trauma, manage ADHD symptoms, and build healthier relationships with her family and friends. With access to consistent therapy sessions, she has developed a stronger senseContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

YMCA of Rapid City-YMCA Mental Health Initiative Austyn moved to Rapid City after finding herself couch surfing with her mom in her home state of Georgia. She moved to Rapid City to move in with her grandmother, and after a few months and a bad relationship, she faced homelessness in Rapid City. That’s about theContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE)-WEAVE WEAVE assisted 2 victims with emergency therapy due to emergency situations for safety reasons and they were able to become stronger survivors.