Jeremy LeLaCheur

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.

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.