Focus Areas

Enriching Lives of Seniors

• Help for elderly adults and adults with disabilities to remain in their own homes.
• Seniors with nutrition, transportation, and adult day care services.
• Matches for older adults with volunteer opportunities in non-profit agencies.

Need: The projections of those afflicted with an Alzheimer’s type dementia is expected to increase by 56% by the year 2025 to 26,000 persons in South Dakota.  Result: 81 adults with social, cognitive or physical limitations were able to attend quality day services, allowing caregivers to work, run errands or do other tasks while knowing their loved one is cared for.  Need: South Dakota is ninth in the nation for the percentage of population over age 60, with 18.8% (140,000 people).  Result:   Over 230,000 meals were served to seniors in 2007 through both congregate dining and home delivered meals. 

• Assistance to disabled individuals to achieve a higher quality of life.
• Help to keep individuals and families in their homes, preventing them from becoming homeless.

Need: Research indicates that approximately 10% of the population suffers from a communication disorder.  Result:  A tutor was provided for 55 adult readers to help them achieve their reading and writing goals.  Need: A family of four needs to make at least $16 an hour to maintain their household.  Result: Over 1000 families received financial assistance to keep their utilities on, contribute toward a deposit for a place to live or secure transportation to their job.  

• Help for youth to improve their success in school and avoid involvement in the juvenile justice system.
• Help for teenagers who are pregnant to continue and finish their education, so they can become self-sufficient.
• Middle school students with a safe after-school environment.

Need: Studies indicate that weekdays from 3:30 to 6:00 PM is the highest level of incidence for juvenile criminal, drug, sexual and alcohol-related activity.  Result: Over 1,600 students participated in safe after-school programs.  Need:  Low-income families pay 14-18% of their income for childcare.  Result: Over 1,000 children are provided quality childcare, which includes a safe environment, activities for social interaction, responsive providers and more.

• Help for people to survive cancer.
• Help for Sioux Empire youth to remain drug free.
• Evaluation, treatment, and education for children with communication disorders and their families.

Need: Fifty percent of South Dakotans will develop cancer in their lifetime, and one in four will die from cancer.  Result: 267 individuals received referrals, support and had someone to talk to after being diagnosed with cancer.  Need: The National Safety Council lists accidental drowning as one of the major causes of death amongst children.  Result: 2,500 youth were able to participate in swimming lessons, providing the children with not only physical exercise, but also valuable knowledge of being safe in the water.

• Help for Sioux Empire women who are involved in abusive relationships to escape violence and develop independence.
• Relief for victims of disasters and are helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
• Support for a 24-hour hotline and referral service which provides crisis support and community information.

Need: It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence sometime in their life.  Result: 1,100 women and children were provided a safe shelter after seeking refuge from a domestic violence situation.  Need:   Every three days, someone in South Dakota dies from suicide.  Result: 1,870 individuals were provided information and support regarding the impact of suicide.

• Quality child care and early childhood education programs for young children.
• Counseling and family services to strengthen the quality of life for individuals and families.
• Help for infants and toddlers to accomplish early developmental milestones that prepare them for a successful start in school.

Need: As of January 2008, there were 3,368 inmates in South Dakota prisons, with many family members affected by these incarcerations.  Result: 160 students with a parent in prison participated in group meetings with other children in the same situation led by a counselor who offers discussion about making good life decisions. Need:   About one in five Americans experiences a mental health issue in the course of a year.  Result: Over 4,000 individuals, families and couples received some sort of counseling service in 2007, including counseling for mental health needs.