Blog Events

Each year, Youth & Family Services’ staff members nominate families enrolled in our programs to receive holiday assistance. Families who are nominated are those who are facing a variety of obstacles and difficulties and are in need of extra support during the holiday season. Individuals or businesses have the opportunity to help these families by sponsoring them through YFS’ Holiday Families Program. Each sponsorship—$250.00—will provide each member of the family with a holiday gift as well as a holiday meal. For more information on how you can help a family in need this holiday season, please contact Connie Olson at (605) 342-4195 or by emailing colson@youthandfamilyservices.org

Youth & Family Services is delighted to announce that Ruby Leigh will be taking the stage this October to provide a musical performance for the organization’s 18th Annual Diamonds and Denim Dinner Theatre. YFS’ Diamonds and Denim Dinner Theatre is a two-night event that raises funds to support YFS and its nine comprehensive programs that serve thousands of children and their families each year throughout 31 counties in western South Dakota. This year’s event will take place October 18-19. Millions of people know Ruby Leigh as the sixteen-year-old, self-taught artist from season 24 of NBC’s hit series, The Voice. Viewers watched in awe of Ruby Leigh’s talent as she set new records on her way to becoming the first runner up. Ruby Leigh was just nine years old when — to her parents surprise — she first realized she could sing! After listening to some her dad’s old records, she immediately fell in love with all the greats of country music including Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Sr., Jimmy Rodgers, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and others. The list could go on and on. The more Ruby Leigh learned about her musical heroes, she soon realized there were a few things that she dreamed of doing one day. On the top of that list is playing The Grand Ole Opry, a dream she will be achieving in August of this year!  “We are thrilled to have Ruby Leigh coming to YFS,” said Susan Hencey, YFS’ Dinner Theatre Steering Committee Chair. “Her story is proof that you don’t have to wait until adulthood to achieve your dreams. We are happy to bring that inspiration to the children served by YFS.” YFS hopes to sell upwards of 250 tickets each night of their event. “As one of YFS’ main fundraisers, our Diamonds and Denim Dinner Theatre is tasked with raising enough monies to ensure the continuation of several YFS programs,” said Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. Tickets for this year’s event will be on sale by the end of July. An on sale announcement will be made via YFS’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

Last week, Youth & Family Services participated in the Summer Food Service Program’s Farm to School Challenge Week. The Farm to School Challenge Week offers SFSP operators, like YFS, a chance to showcase a local food and provide education about local foods at their meal sites. On Wednesday, June 26, YFS’ Garden Education Specialist, Destiny Durham, handed out locally grown sugar snap peas during YFS’ Summer Food Program lunch service. The peas, originally grown on a local farm, were purchased from Breadroot Natural Foods Co-Op in Rapid City. “People really enjoyed tasting the peas and they were happy to know they were locally grown,” said Durham. “At first glance many people thought they were beans and were surprised to learn they were actually peas.” In addition to sampling the peas, children and adults learned about the different types of peas, how they grow, and why we should eat them. Recipe cards created by SDSU Extension that featured peas as an ingredient were available for families to take home. Funding for this activity was provided by a grant from South Dakota’s Harvest of the Month program. Harvest of the Month is an adaptable program that helps get kids excited about eating fruits and vegetables. July’s harvest of the month focus will be on strawberries. YFS is an equal opportunity provider.

Youth & Family Services’ (YFS) is excited to announce it will be hosting its 7th Annual Harvest Festival on September 7. This free, family-friendly event will take place at YFS’ Fullerton Farm, located at 230 S. Ellsworth Road in Box Elder, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.  YFS’ Harvest Festival provides community members with an opportunity to visit the gardens, orchard, and beehives at YFS’ Fullerton Farm and aims to educate all ages in food, farming, nutrition, sustainability, and healthy fun. YFS’ Harvest Festival is free and open to the public. At this year’s Harvest Festival, guests will enjoy food sampling, live animals, gardening tips, hands-on activities, and more! Volunteers are needed to help with this event! Individuals interested in volunteering should contact Darcie Decker at 341-7231 or email ddecker@youthandfamilyservices.org.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, students from Youth & Family Services’ Middle School Program presented their composting project to 20 second and third-grade students from YFS’ Girls Inc. of Rapid City. This was part of a two-year project funded by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). The middle school students shared their knowledge about composting in a final PowerPoint presentation, showcasing what they had learned. Following the presentation, they led an activity in which the Girls Inc. members created their own “compost” in a bag — an idea adapted from an activity provided at the Rapid City Landfill. The second and third graders layered food items to represent the elements of composting and shook the bags to simulate the composting process. This hands-on experience was both educational and enjoyable for the young participants. Throughout the composting project, middle school students had the opportunity to visit local producers specializing in sustainable agriculture practices. They learned about topics such as improving soil health, organic gardening, holistic livestock management, and the local food system. We want to thank Dry Creek Farm & Ranch, Cycle Farm, Bear Butte Gardens, the Cheyenne River Buffalo Ranch—Wild Idea, the Black Hills Farmers Market, the Rapid City Landfill, and Trash Lilly Farm for their collaboration and support. The project has had a significant impact, with 70% of youth participants reporting positive changes in their knowledge, attitude, skills, or awareness of gardening, the food system, or agricultural practices since participating in the gardening classes.

Youth & Family Services invites the community to join them for their 18th Annual Diamonds and Denim Dinner Theatre. Set for October 18 and 19, this two-night event will raise funds to support YFS and its nine comprehensive programs that serve more than 14,000 children and families throughout 31 counties in western South Dakota each year. Ticket Info Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased through our website or by calling (605) 342-4195. Tables of 6 or 8 are available. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets online, visit https://www.youthandfamilyservices.org/shop/. Entertainment Entertainment at this year’s event will be a live, musical performance by the rising country star, Ruby Leigh! Millions of people know Ruby Leigh as the 17-year-old, self-taught artist from season 24 of NBC’s hit series, The Voice. Under the guidance of Reba McEntire, viewers watched in awe of Ruby Leigh’s talent as she set new records on her way to becoming the first runner-up. Since the show, Ruby Leigh has debuted at the Grand Ole Opry, performed at Dollywood, and has been playing concerts throughout Nashville.  Meal Service In addition to Ruby Leigh’s performance, guests have the opportunity to select one of four entrees prepared by the chefs from Outback Steakhouse. Entrees include a garden salad, dinner roll, pasta, steamed vegetables, and dessert. This year’s entrees options are: Auctions Guests attending our event will also have access to our in-person silent auction as well as our public online auction. As always, our auctions will include a wide variety of items such as:• Artwork from a variety of artists• Experience packages• Gift certificates• Jewelry• Unique children’s toys• And more! The online auction, hosted by McPherson Auction and Realty, will go live on Friday, October 18. Bidding will begin closing at 6 p.m. MST on Tuesday, October 22. Winners will be able to collect their items at YFS’ 1920 N Plaza Blvd. location. Items must be picked up by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 24 unless other arrangements are made. A link to this year’s online auction will be provided closer to the date of the event. Bidders will have the opportunity to view auction items on Wednesday, October 16 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at YFS’ 1920 N Plaza Blvd. location in Rapid City, SD. McPherson Auction and Realty Co.’s online auctions require online registration in advance of bidding. Registration can be done any time prior to and during the auction. To register, please visit https://mcphersonauction.com/ and click the item on the menu bar that reads Online Auction Bidder Registration.

On December 8, Kenny Putnam, Tom Schaefer, Owen DeJong, Brian and Kaija Bonde, Mike Connor, Boyd Bristow, Al Remund, and Larry Rohrer will be performing a concert that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! For the third year in a row, Holiday for Fiddles (akin to the well-known Acoustic Christmas concerts) will take place in the Historic Theatre of the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City. Music lovers will have the opportunity to attend a 2 p.m. matinee performance or a 7 p.m. performance. The concert will be approximately 90 minutes and feature holiday songs to create a fun, festive atmosphere. “We’re back for another terrific Christmas show!” exclaimed Kenny Putnam. “The magic of three fiddles together with the wonderful acoustic instrumentation and beautiful, original voices are returning to celebrate the musical spirit of Christmas.” In years past, this group of musicians performed for South Dakota Public Broadcasting as Fiddles and Friends as well as for audiences as An Acoustic Christmas. Tickets are $25 each when purchased in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in-person, over the phone, or online through the Performing Arts Center. A portion of the proceeds from Holiday for Fiddles will benefit Youth & Family Services. “YFS is one of the most important organizations in the Black Hills that provide so many services to kids in the community,” stated Putnam. “We’re very proud to support them.” To purchase tickets, contact the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City:– 610 Columbus St, Rapid City, SD 57701– (605) 394-1786– https://performingartsrc.org/box-office/

Riverfront Broadcasting stations Classic Hits Q92-3, KOTA Radio, and Z 106-3 will be partnering with Youth & Family Services to help make this holiday season a bit brighter for girls in our community through their sponsorship of Gifts for Girls! Gifts for Girls encourages community members to sponsor one or more girls enrolled in YFS’ Girls Inc. of Rapid City and Health Connections programs for the holiday season. In total, YFS hopes to find sponsors for 100 girls. To fulfill one or more wishes, individuals can visit our Gifts for Girls page, select the girl(s) you wish to sponsor, and send us an email by clicking the icon below girl’s name you wish to purchase a gift for. In the email, donors should include their name and phone number as well as the name and number of the girl(s) they wish to purchase a gift for. Donors are not expected to purchase all items listed; the ideas provided are simply wishes from the girls. Once a girl has been selected, it will state “Wish Being Fulfilled” above her name instead of “Sponsor Needed”. Gifts can be delivered to Youth & Family Services’ (1920 N Plaza Blvd, Rapid City), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. OR to Riverfront Broadcasting (1116 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. We ask that you return the gift wrapped with the name and number of the girl the gift is intended for by December 13 so we can deliver them in time for Christmas! If you have any questions, please call Brianna Nelson at (605) 342-4195.

Youth & Family Services (YFS) Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth inside Uptown Rapid is now open. This booth provides a festive and convenient experience for shoppers while raising funds to support our youth-serving programs. The booth will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., daily, through December 24. Volunteer shifts are still available. To view available shifts, click here! Volunteers must be 13 or older. Volunteering at the Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer alongside your coworkers, friends, family, club members, or community group while making a positive impact on children in our area. If you can’t volunteer but want to support our efforts, please consider passing this invitation on to others who may want to help. We invite everyone to stop by, get their gifts wrapped, and contribute to a great cause this festive season!