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The Denny Menholt Group in Rapid City stepped up in a big way for families enrolled in Youth & Family Services (YFS) programs this past week! The area business made a generous donation that allowed YFS to purchase 416 Thanksgiving meals which were distributed to families enrolled in the organization’s programs. “This has been a difficult year for all of us,” said Krista Morrison, Director of Marketing and Communications for Denny Menholt Auto Group. “Local businesses like ours are trying to balance providing our services while also protecting our employees and customers. As winter approaches, we recognize that our community programs are also struggling.” Morrison went on to explain, “Their [YFS] major fundraising events have been canceled, which means they don’t have all the funding needed to support area families and individuals. We stand behind our mission that together we make a difference in our community. The Denny Menholt dealerships wanted to make an additional donation this year because we recognize the need to empower the amazing people who run these programs, and we hope that our commitment will inspire others to do the same.” YFS partnered with Timmons Market to order the food items that would make up each meal. In addition to placing and organizing the order, Timmons allowed YFS to purchase the food at a reduced rate; this enabled the non-profit to stretch their funds, thereby feeding more families. “We feel very fortunate to be in the position that we are in during these trying times,” shared Dan Bruner, Co-Owner of Timmons Market. “YFS reached out to us early on during the pandemic, and we have forged a partnership that allows us to leverage our ability to bring in goods that people need, and YFS’ ability to get those goods to the people who need them most.” Bruner noted a large part of their business is based on their Christian faith. “We believe that we are called to not only provide a business to our community, but to be able to give back when able. When we received a call about the generous offer from the Denny Menholt Auto group, we knew we wanted to participate in any way we could. As a grocer in the Rapid City area, helping organizations who combat food insecurity is a large part of our culture, and we look forward to working with YFS in the future to continue making a positive impact with families in our community.”   Each of the 416 families were given a turkey, two cans of corn, 5 lbs. of potatoes, gravy, Jello, dinner rolls, and a pie. The items were delivered to YFS’ East Adams Street location on two different days by Timmons Market employees. YFS staff assembled the meals on November 20. That same day, families were able to pick up their meals. YFS staff delivered meals to enrolled families living outside Rapid City. “The generosity that the Denny Menholt Group and Timmons Market have extended to these families is just unbelievable,” shared Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief […]

Giving back one cup at a time. This has been the mission and motto of The Bean Counter — a locally owned and oper­ated coffee shop located inside the Med5 Federal Credit Union on 5th Street in Rapid City. The Bean Counter is the only nonprofit coffee shop in South Dakota, and exists thanks to the vi­sion of Med5 Federal Credit Union in Rapid City. Since its establishment in May of 2019, The Bean Counter has donated all its profits to support 15 local nonprofit organiza­tions in the Rapid City area. This past summer, The Bean Counter made a change in its giving plan and commit­ted to donating its profits exclusively to Youth & Family Services in order help YFS fulfill its mission to support children and their families in being capable, caring, and contributing members of our community. “YFS spoke to us and was a single organization that had outreach in so many areas. We were happy to find an organization that was so committed to children and families, and stays in our area,” shared Ray Graff, Manager of The Bean Counter. In addition to providing monetary support to YFS, Ray is currently working with staff from YFS’ Middle School Program to help them get their coffee counter up and running. “Integrating a coffee counter into the Middle School Program was a spe­cific request from the middle school students as we started the planning for this program,” stated Corey Odle, YFS’ Middle School Program Coor­dinator. “Ray has been great to work with. He’s so kind and has been a great resource to turn to as we work to set up our coffee counter.” Ray has visited YFS’ Middle School Center and provided education to staff and enrolled youth so they better under­stand all aspects of the espresso machine, how to properly time each component as they make a drink, as well as providing guidance on different types of coffee beans and how to better understand different flavor profiles. “We plan to utilize our coffee counter to help teach lessons surrounding accounting, kitchen safety, business administration, and science,” said Corey. “We’re so thankful for our partnership with The Bean Counter and hope to pursue job shadow/ca­reer mentoring experiences for the kids as well.” For more information about The Bean Counter, to view their menu, and see their hours of operation, visit their website at https://thebeancounter-med5fcu.com/.

On Tuesday, April 6, three local State Farm agents presented Youth & Family Services (YFS) with a check for $5,000 to support financial literacy programming offered by the organization. “We are so thankful for this generous donation that will be used to help children and families served by YFS,” shared Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. To be a true catalyst of change and help bridge generations of families out of poverty, YFS works to provide intentional economic literacy opportunities designed to motivate low- to moderate-income families to move out of poverty. Olson explains, “We know that learning economics helps children and families understand our history, government and culture. It also helps us learn to make decisions about their personal and shared resources, to understand work and careers, and to develop the habit of analytical thinking. Economic principles do not just deal with money and jobs; they are at the core of decisions we make every day — decisions our children will use to shape their lives.” The grant was awarded by the State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship program after YFS submitted an application and received an additional recommendation for the grant from Rapid CityState Farm agent, Scott Carlson. “At State Farm, we make it our business to be a good neighbor and are committed to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities,” stated Carlson. “State Farm is proud to support Youth & Family Services. For years, Rapid City agents have supported YFS as volunteers and through personal donations. This grant will specifically be used to assist in the area of YFS’ financial literacy programming and aligns directly with State Farm’s Community Development focus.” Pictured in photo from left to right: John Julius, YFS Chief Executive Officer; Scott Carlson, State Farm Insurance Agent; Dave Raml, State Farm Insurance Agent; Mike Smith, YFS Chief Operations Officer; Doug Markworth, State Farm Agent; Amanda Moriarty, YFS Child Development Center Director; Connie Olson, YFS Chief Development Officer; Justin Freeman, Community Outreach and Events Coordinator. Children pictured are enrolled in YFS’ Child Development Center.

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is pleased to announce that it received a grant in the amount of $1,000 from Walmart Giving. These funds will be used to support YFS’ Girls Inc. of Rapid City program. About YFS Girls Inc. of Rapid City Girls Inc. of Rapid City was founded in Rapid City in 1965 and it’s our mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. serves girls, ages 6-11, by providing fun, educational and recreational activities to girls after school and each weekday during the summer months. Our programs highlight community action, sports, health, careers, and life planning. These programs also celebrate members’ cultures and heritages and encourage the girls to develop self-reliance and life skills. From the very beginning, Girls Inc. has had a singular focus: to equip girls and young women to reach their fullest potential and become strong leaders. Across the decades, Girls Inc. has adapted to meet the specific barriers they face. We know that when girls are healthy, have the resources and opportunities to learn, and have the confidence and skills to speak out — that’s when girls succeed. About the Walmart Foundation In 1982, the Walmart Foundation was created to help support the communities Walmart serves. Together, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation generally provide more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind to support programs that align with their philanthropic priorities. Their philanthropic approach is rooted in the company’s mission to create opportunity, so people can live better. Through the philanthropic investments of Walmart.org, they strive to systematically address some of the biggest economic, environmental, and social challenges faced in the world today.

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is excited to announce the creation of its new raised-bed garden at the organization’s 120 East Adams Street site. The garden is part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association’s GroMoreGood Garden Grants initiative, which seeks to connect one million Head Start children across the country to garden education and fresh food. Additionally, Live Well Black Hills awarded YFS a grant to support this project. YFS received a GroMoreGood garden grant—totaling $3,350—to help create a new raised-bed garden on the 32,000+ sq. ft. playground that exists between YFS’ Child Development Center and Girls Inc. of Rapid City programs. This grant is paying for garden supplies and garden education sessions for the children. The $500 grant from Live Well Black Hills purchased materials to build the raised-bed garden boxes, soil, plants, seeds, and garden tools for children. Once the project is complete, children enrolled in YFS’ programs will be able to utilize the new raised-bed garden for garden and nutrition education purposes.    According to Sharon Oney, YFS Chief Grants Officer, “We are honored to receive grant support for this project. It is our hope that this garden will help to improve the lives of the children and families we serve.” Through the GroMoreGood Garden Grants Initiative, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The National Head Start Association will work together to combat some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s youngest generation, improving access to healthy food and increasing time spent outdoors connected to nature. The three-year program will make garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens and hands-on learning experiences for young children. On Friday, June 11, children from YFS’ Rapid City Head Start and Girls Inc. of Rapid City programs gathered to spread soil and plant a variety of plants in the new raised-bed garden. Plants that were transferred into the garden included squash, peas, tomatoes, and carrots.

Dr. Dale Berkebile, a retired physician and surgeon, of Rapid City officially assumed the duties of the president of the Youth & Family Services’ Board of Directors during the agency’s Annual Meeting which took place on July 22. Dr. Berkebile has been a member of YFS’ Board of Directors since 2014 and is a member of YFS’ Finance and Endowment, Facilities and Equipment, and Long Range Planning Committees. Dr. Berkebile was vice president of the YFS Board prior to taking over for outgoing president, Tonya Johnson. Johnson has been a board member since 2015 and will remain a member of the YFS Board of Directors. “I’m excited to work with the YFS Board of Directors and staff to provide opportunities for youth in western South Dakota. As we consider the needs of children and their families, there is a lot of work to be done,” shared Dr. Berkebile. “I’m confident that by partnering with parents, community partners, grant funders, and other supporters, Youth & Family Services programs will continue to provide positive, transformative change.”     Taking over as Vice President of the YFS Board of Directors is Dr. Willis Sutliff, retired pediatric specialist and current Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Sutliff has been a Board Member since 2009. YFS’ Board of Directors also approved nominations for the following community members to join YFS’ board at the July meeting: Amy Beaumont Sarah Bockelmann Scott Carlson Cathy Carpenter Snyder Michael Hildebrandt Ann Reiling Amy Scull Larson YFS’ Board Officers for 2021-2022 are: Dr. Dale Berkebile, President; Dr. Willis Sutliff, Vice President; JC Joyce, Secretary; and Greg Schweiss, Treasurer.

Youth & Family Services’ (YFS), together with SDSU Extension, will be hosting its annual Harvest Festival! This free, fun, family-friendly event will take place at YFS’ Fullerton Farm in Box Elder from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, September 11. YFS Fullerton Farm is a three-acre plot that was originally donated to YFS in 2014. The farm is part of YFS’ Healthy for Life Garden Project which is intended to help children and their families achieve better health through increased access to and consumption of nutritious foods. Since 2014, YFS—with the help of many volunteers and community partners—has been successfully able to transform the land into a bountiful, ever-developing garden that is also home to a fruit tree orchard, a variety of fruit bushes, and multiple colonies of honeybees. The Harvest Festival is intended to be a fun way to celebrate the year’s growing season while welcoming community members to seeing the growing gardens, orchard, and beehives at YFS Fullerton Farm. There will be a variety of fun activities available intended to inspire healthy eating, a love for gardening, and to provide educational resources about wellness. At the Harvest Festival guests will be able to: Play games and win prizes Learn about honeybees Sample free, healthy snacks Learn about different gardening methods And more! YFS Fullerton Farm is located at 230 S. Ellsworth Road, Box Elder, S.D.

Youth & Family Services and the Exchange Club of Rapid City are once again sponsoring the gift wrapping booth in the Rushmore Mall during the month of December! Shoppers will be able to stop by the booth and have their holiday purchases wrapped for a fee. All proceeds from the Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth will be used to support the programs of Youth & Family Services. The gift wrapping booth is set to be located near the center of the Rushmore Mall, close to the Food Court. The booth will be open Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5. It will reopen on December 10 and remain in full operation through December 24.    The Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth is 100% staffed by volunteers, and YFS is still hoping to obtain help from the community to fill some of those spots. Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available. Volunteers must be 13 years of age or older. To volunteer, simply visit our online sign-up page and select the shift(s) you wish to help out! Our sign-up page can be found here: https://signup.com/go/YypCgUv “Volunteering at YFS’ gift wrapping booth is fun way to provide a great service to the community while raising funds to support YFS’ programs,” says Justin Freeman, YFS’ Community Outreach and Events Coordinator. Each year, YFS provides critical support to more than 14,000 children and families in western South Dakota. “We invite you to volunteer individually or with family, friends, co-workers, or community groups. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to have some fun, meet new people, and share a little holiday cheer,” said Freeman. “If wrapping isn’t your area of expertise, we hope you’ll stop down to have your gifts wrapped to support children in our community.” Individuals volunteering at this year’s Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth are required to wear a face mask during their shift. For questions about our Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth, please contact Justin Freeman at JFreeman@youthandfamilyservices.org or by calling (605) 342-4195.