Brianna Nelson

Earlier this month, Bridget Williams, a licensed child and family mental health therapist at Youth & Services’ Counseling Center, became a recipient of the Western South Dakota Child Protection Council’s Child Abuse Prevention Recognition Award. Bridget works with individuals to help them heal from and cope with traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, anger, attachment, dissociation, attention difficulties or developmental challenges. She has impacted the lives of hundreds of children and families in South Dakota during her career as a school counselor in White River, as a therapist and clinical supervisor at Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi on the Rosebud Reservation, and as a mental health therapist at Catholic Social Services and YFS. Bridget also serves on the Pennington County Multi-Disciplinary Task Force. Her skills, care, and concern have strengthened the fabric of our community.

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is excited to share that it has received a grant from the Les Paul Foundation to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming within the organization’s Middle School Program.   “We are delighted to have received this grant and are eager to see what the students will be able to learn and accomplish because of the support of the Les Paul Foundation,” shared Sharon Oney, YFS’ Chief Grants Officer. YFS’ Middle School Program supports informal and academic learning through STEM activities, tutoring/homework help and academic mentoring, and a focus on entrepreneurship and career pathways. Students are encouraged to study STEM disciplines, gain a sense of belonging (STEM identity), and explore careers. The program offers self-guided exploration in YFS’ technology lab and monthly instructor-facilitated special projects with a menu of courses aimed at engineering and fabrication, coding, robotics and automation, virtual reality, and aviation. Staff build on curricula provided by lab equipment vendors. Programming also includes field trips and shadowing activities in the local university and business community. YFS’ Middle School Program also supports parents in learning more about STEM opportunities for their youth through special events. About the Les Paul Foundation The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation and medical research related to hearing. The Les Paul Foundation, an approved IRC 501(c) 3 organization has awarded over $4,000,000 to nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.les-paul.com   

August 27, 2022 was a highly anticipated day for Youth & Family Services (YFS) staff as well as hundreds of individuals throughout the Black Hills and across the nation. Thousands watched in-person, on television, and online as McPherson Auction & Realty announced the winner of YFS’ 1953 Chevrolet truck raffle. In December of 2021, Mark, Jeff, and Joan Fullerton generously donated a gleaming, custom 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pickup to YFS. The siblings’ wish was that YFS would sell raffle tickets for the truck in order to raise funds to create an endowment through Youth & Family Services Foundation. The earnings from the new endowment would provide consistent and ongoing financial support for YFS’ Fullerton Farm and Garden Education Project. In 2014, Dale and Jackie Fullerton (Mark, Jeff, and Joan’s parents) donated a three-acre plot of land that later become known as YFS’ Fullerton Farm. Located in Box Elder, SD, Fullerton Farm is part of YFS’ Garden Education Project which is intended to help children and their families achieve better health through increased access to and consumption of nutritious foods. YFS’ Garden Education Project addresses food insecurity and provides hands-on, multicultural learning opportunities for youth to develop an understanding of how nutrition helps keep their minds and bodies strong. In addition to focusing on basic nutrition concepts and new tasting and growing experiences, staff have dedicated a significant portion of our curriculum and garden space to discussions around the farmer-to-consumer food system, environmental issues, and sustainability. With guidance and support from the Fullertons, YFS staff moved forward with the raffle and aimed to sell 1,000 tickets at $100 each for this classic truck. If staff were successful in selling every ticket, the raffle would generate $100,000 for the new endowment. After YFS staff spoke with Todd and Kevin McPherson about the raffle, the brothers were more than willing to help YFS announce the winner on August 27 during the McPherson car auction at Kool Deadwood Nights. Throughout the early part of the year, YFS staff showcased the truck and sold tickets at in-person events and through YFS’ website. The support and participation from the community was wonderful! Thankfully, by the morning of August 27, all but five tickets had been sold. The remaining five tickets were raffled off, live, during McPherson’s auction at the Deadwood Mountain Grand during Kool Deadwood Nights. Those five tickets raised more than $16,000 for YFS! After the final five tickets were auctioned off, Dorothy McPherson—Kevin and Todd McPherson’s mother—selected the winning raffle ticket from the raffle drum. Several seconds later, it was announced that winner of the 1953 Chevrolet was Black Hills local, Todd Hanson of Hermosa, SD. “Funds raised from this raffle are going to make a significant impact in the lives of children for years to come,” stated Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. “We are so pleased that because of the generosity of the Fullertons as well as everyone who participated in this raffle, children in our community will grow up with access […]

Since the birth of his daughter Kathy in 1968, Dr. Ron Reed has worked tirelessly on behalf of citizens with limited abilities. As Secretary of Education and Cultural Affairs for Governor Richard Kneip, he was instrumental in the funding and development of special education programs in South Dakota and for the passage of the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. His professional goal was creating accessibility for all citizens and his volunteer work also focused on it through his involvement with Youth & Family Services (YFS), Black Hills Community Theatre, Black Hills Special Service, Community Health Center, and Dakota Link. Ron planted the seeds for the formation of Flutter Productions when he produced “Oklahoma” with an all abilities cast that included clients of Black Hills Works. Ron’s involvement with YFS began nearly three decades ago when he served as Owner’s Representative for construction of YFS’ Plaza Boulevard facility and then later our East Adams facility. In 2004, Ron joined YFS’ Board of Directors and has served on the Facilities & Equipment, Finance & Endowment, Executive Committees, as well as serving as Vice President and President of YFS Board of Directors. Throughout the last 18 years, Ron has helped the organization grow into one of the largest, most comprehensive youth-serving nonprofits in the state. Ron’s knowledge of our community and his willingness to take on “the next project” is truly an inspiration to everyone around him. He does it with grace, a smile, and is always willing to listen and adapt to new situations and ideas of others. He is a quiet leader who knows what is right, the easiest way to get it done, is never afraid to ask questions, and knows where to find the right answers. In 2006, Ron led the way in establishing YFS’ annual Diamonds and Denim Dinner Theatre fundraiser. The goal of this event was to raise awareness of YFS’ services as well as raise much needed funds to provide stable programming to children living throughout western South Dakota. Since the event’s inception, it has raised more than $1 million to do just that. Ron’s creative ideas, plus the hours of hard work to make those ideas shine through, have made an enormous difference in the lives of countless children in our community.  Recognizing YFS’ need for long-term financial security and stability for its programs, Ron served on the committee to create Youth & Family Services Foundation (YFSF). His leadership and financial oversight have helped YFSF to establish and continue to grow an endowment to meet current and future needs of children in western South Dakota. In 2018, Ron took a leave from the YFS Board of Directors to serve as Owner’s Representative to the organization’s nearly $14 million East Adams Facility Expansion Project. This project added more than 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor learning and play space in order to better serve children and families in our community. Ron was an integral part in the planning and completion of this project. Induction ceremonies […]

In January of this year, Youth & Family Services (YFS) staff and supporters toasted a man who left behind a legacy of sharing his passion and resources with the youth of western South Dakota. Before he passed away in 1983, Dr. Ray E. Lemley, an area physician, rancher, amateur photographer, paleontologist, world traveler, and visionary commissioned a special trust fund that would annually provide monetary support to YFS programs. It was Dr. Lemley’s desire to be able to continue supporting the charities he loved, even after his death. How serendipitous then that Dr. Lemley’s trust would reach a momentous milestone of having distributed more than $1 million, 30 years after setting up the fund. “Dr. Lemley was truly a visionary with a kind and generous heart,” shared Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. “We are so pleased that his legacy continues to strengthen our community. In addition to financially supporting children in perpetuity, we also know it was his hope that his gift would encourage and inspire others to consider leaving a legacy gift.” At this year’s annual luncheon to honor Dr. Lemley, YFS received a check for $28,312 from the Lemley Memorial Trust to help support children and families in our community. The proceeds from his trust are restricted to photography equipment and supplies, art classes, library materials, and other similar educational items.

Today, three seniors from Stevens High School, Roman Slack, Jhett Waltman, and Quinn Hasse, hosted the NextGen Coding Camp in YFS robotics lab for students enrolled in YFS’ Middle School Program and The Club for Boys. According to their website, “NextGen is a youth engagement day program aimed at fostering computer programming skills among young people. As an innovative and forward-thinking organization, we believe it is crucial for humanity to invest in the next generation’s technological literacy and provide them with the tools to thrive in an increasingly tech-dominant economy.” NextGen was founded by Slack, also the creator of the program. His goal is to educate and inspire other young people to explore the world of coding.   In total, 16 students participated in today’s intensive coding camp where they learned about computer science/computer engineering careers, problem solving, Javascript, CSS/HTML, basic AI coding, and more. Slack, Waltman, and Hasse plan to continue offering courses to students in YFS’ Middle School Program throughout the upcoming school year.

Youth & Family Services’ (YFS) will be hosting its 6th Annual Harvest Festival on September 16, 2023! 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. This year’s Harvest Festival aims to inspire and educate all ages in food, farming, nutrition, sustainability, and healthy fun. YFS’ Harvest Festival is free and open to the public. While you’re visiting the gardens, beehives, and orchard, you’ll be able to: Volunteers are needed to help with this event! If individuals are interested in volunteering, please contact Darcie Decker at 341-7231 or email wehelpkids@youthandfamilyservices.org.

Four NASCAR fans dedicated to volunteer support for local children’s organizations were recognized today by The NASCAR Foundation as finalists for the 13th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. One of these finalists is none other than Rapid City’s own, Darla Crown. The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman Betty Jane France, recognizes NASCAR fans who volunteer for children’s causes in their local communities. Each finalist receives a minimum $25,000 donation for their organization with the overall winner receiving a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to further their efforts. Darla was nominated by Youth & Family Services (YFS). “There is no one more deserving of this award,” shared Connie Olson, Youth & Family Services’ Chief Development Officer. “Darla has a heart for giving. She has spent the majority of her life finding ways to give back to her community and to the causes and organizations closest to her heart. She has truly made a difference in the lives of so many.” Darla has been a supporter of YFS for decades. She volunteers in classrooms, has helped with numerous special projects and events, and is an advocate for the organization. In addition to volunteering for YFS, Darla has been involved with Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, Seventh Circuit CASA Program, Rushmore Rotary, Pennington County Veterans Court, the Central States Fair, her church, and has been a foster parent. She is also a 42-year veteran of the South Dakota National Guard. The overall winner will be determined by an online vote, which is open now. Fans can visit NASCARfoundation.org/Award to watch a video about Darla’s impact on children while voting once a day, every day through November 17 at 3 p.m. Mountain Time. The overall winner will be announced during the NASCAR Awards in Nashville on Thursday, November 30. To learn more about The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award and the 2023 finalists, visit NASCARfoundation.org/Award.