Category Archives: Impact Stories

C.O.R.E.-Community Organized Resources for Educating Youth – Freshman Impact Since 2020 Rapid City Area Schools has not sent their whole freshman class, usually only sending 50 to 60 students. They increased the number 100 on a trial basis. The results were awesome, the kids loved it. The staff had nothing but good to say, nowContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

EmpowerEd – EmpowerEd Scholarships When Tyson joined our program in 2024, his family was thoroughly frustrated with his educational journey and did not know where to turn. He had been struggling for nearly a decade in the public school system, a target of frequent harassment which led to a steady decline in his mental health.Continue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Custer School District – School-Based Substance Prevention and Early Intervention Full implementation of the targeted population program this year ensured that eight students and their families received timely support to address substance use before it progressed to addiction. The program also helped students meet court obligations and extracurricular activity requirements. Without this local resource, familiesContinue reading “Impact in Southern Hills”

CASA 7th Circuit One of our volunteers was able to support a child in opening their first bank account and receiving financial education before aging out of foster care. Most children in foster care cannot get bank accounts because they do not have an adult to sign on their account opening. We arranged an understandingContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Lifeways – Elementary School Prevention Two years ago, three 2nd grade students were referred to me to receive prevention education related to vaping. They each completed 4 sessions of prevention education with me. Recently, the following situation occurred: upon entering a 4th grade classroom a student approached me and asked, “Aren’t you the one whoContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Friends of the Children-He Sapa – Guiding Paths: Mentoring Indigenous Youth and Families for a Brighter Future One example of impact comes from our focus on literacy and academic engagement. Through partnerships with local schools and community partners, youth are engaged in culturally grounded literacy activities designed to strengthen reading skills and confidence. Friends-He SapaContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity Habitat was able to partner with the City of Hot Springs in a unique way, which we intend to replicate in other communities in our service area. We collaborated with the City Inspector to set up a day at the library where residents could come to complete an applicationContinue reading “Impact in Southern Hills”

Working Against Violence Inc – Project THRIVE When Erin arrived at WAVI’s shelter in Rapid City, she carried little more than a backpack and was holding the hands of her two young children. After years of emotional abuse and escalating violence, she made the difficult decision to leave when she realized her family’s safety couldContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity Megan is an electrical student at WDT, which is how she came to know about the Habitat Homeownership program. As she and her classmates partnered with Habitat to wire a home on Lemmon Ave, she talked with construction staff and other volunteers. Megan and her two boys resided atContinue reading “Impact in Rapid City”

Literacy Council of the Black Hills replacement story coming Vanessa recently received a promotion at Monument Health! Her new job aligns more with her experience in her home country in nursing.