The Workplace - December

Festival of Lights Parade!

Black Hills Works was honored to be the Grand Marshal of the 2022 Festival of Lights Parade!

This parade is an annual Black Hills tradition. For the last 24 years, it has brought out thousands of spectators. Taking the lead for Black Hills Works was Nicole Roberts, frontline leader for Allen, and Dianne Hartson, DSP, for Community Homes. Every person supported at Allen participated by joining in the parade, along with Ruth Reed, Gloria Kehn, and Collette Long Wolf. They had a blast!

Dianne expressed gratitude to the Festival of Lights organizers and the community for being so supportive of Black Hills Works, and for this opportunity. “I am so proud of what we do and how we transform lives, just by being there!” She also thanked leadership, other staff, and nurses, for adjusting schedules so that several people supported could be part of the parade.

Thanks to everyone who helped out and to all those who cheered them on!

Spotlight Award

December Volunteer Spotlight: Rhonda Grant

Rhonda has been a mainstay volunteer at Flutter Productions since 2015. Rhonda has donated up to 500 hours annually to the theatrical productions, including set construction and clean-up. She has glued, painted, taped, and cut many a prop, creature, costume, or set piece into existence for thirteen productions, and has assisted in moving every set in and out of the performance space.

Starting in 2017, Rhonda graciously volunteered for three "FashionABLE: All-Ability Threads" fashion shows. She not only worked one-on-one with a FashionABLE designer, but also helped set up and transform the performance venues for the fashion shows.

As if that wasn’t enough, in the summer of 2019 and 2021 Rhonda joined the 360 Degree Arts Camp as a volunteer cook to assist with cooking three meals and two snacks a day for twenty people over a three-day period.

Needless to say, Rhonda’s contributions to Flutter Productions have been incalculable. The experiences of the people supported by Black Hills Works and the community performers involved with Flutter Productions would not be the same without her energy, efforts, time, love, and dedication. Rhonda's support of Flutter Productions has made all-ability performance opportunities accessible and a part of the cultural fabric of our community. She has helped give the gift and joy of performance and personal expression to many lives.

In recognition of her volunteer efforts, Rhonda was selected to receive a Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award. Rhonda received this prestigious award on December 1 at Flutter Productions.

Thank you, Rhonda, for sharing your talents and time with all of us, to ensure the mission of Black Hills Works is achieved.

Storm Forecast

Basketball

Attention all basketball players! The Rapid City Storm basketball season is upon us! Thunder will begin practices on Saturday Dec. 31 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM in the BHW Legends Ride Gymnasium. Blizzard and Lightning practices will begin on Monday Jan. 2 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm in the BHW Legends Ride Gymnasium. Please email Amy Pipke with the names of athletes interested in playing this year. Athletes participating in Special Olympics Basketball are required to have a current Special Olympics physical on file. Please contact Amy Pipke with any questions.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

February 24: BH Area Basketball Tournament at SDSM&T

March 24-26: State Basketball Tournament in Sioux Falls TBD

SPIRIT OF A CHAMPION & SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

Tommy Brought Plenty Receives Awards!

Congratulations to Tommy Brought Plenty on receiving the 2022 Spirit of a Champion Award from Special Olympics South Dakota, and for being the Spotlight Award winner for December!

Being selected for the Spirit of a Champion Award is like winning an Oscar! Tommy achieved this through demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, determination, and love for sports. This past year Tommy participated in Bowling, Basketball, Track and Field, and Bocce. He made a HUGE impression on athletes, coaches, and SOSD directors across the state.

Tommy is a phenomenal athlete and friend to everyone he meets. His drive to always do his personal best and to encourage others to do their best goes above and beyond exceptional. Win or lose, he always has something positive to say. The way he gives his all, congratulates, and supports others is inspiring. I can't think of anyone more deserving. Congratulations, Tommy!

FOUNDATION FOCUS Foundation Focus

Join us on December 10 for Rush Gives Back Charity night! Tickets, regardless of location, will be $30 (before any extra fees) and $5 from each ticket sold will go into a fund that will be donated to Black Hills Works and Rural America Initiatives. Black Hills Energy will be matching the Rush’s donation up to $10,000! Get your tickets today to support Black Hills Works and your Rapid City Rush!

Black Hills Works Holiday Card

Congratulations to Colleen Romano! Her holiday painting was selected to be the Black Hills Works holiday card! The Foundation team informed Colleen of this accomplishment last month, and she was over the moon excited! Her mom was able to join in the surprise, which made it even more special.

Holding a Fundraising Activity?

We love your enthusiasm and desire to hold individual fundraising activities to support the work you are doing, such as Facebook fundraisers, Pizza Ranch fundraising nights, assisting someone else to do a fundraiser on our behalf, etc.

But we have a favor to ask:

Before you do any fundraising activities or events, please contact the Foundation office first. Throughout the year we are doing different campaigns and activities to support the work you do, so we want to make sure your efforts are successful and don’t create conflicts with the work we are already doing.

Please contact Carrie Moser at X6207 with any questions or ideas. And thank you for all you do!

December sponsors

Thank

Day Services Hiking Class

Submitted by Sheri Perkins

Alex, Becca, and Paul enjoyed a beautiful fall adventure on a trek along the bike path, including a leaf fight! This was part of the Day Services Black Hills Hiking class. If you would like to sign up for classes, check out the December schedule.

Book Drive Donations

Plant Street

has received several donations already for their book drive! Thank you to Miranda O’Bryan and Christina Peterson for their very generous donations!

Plant St. Classes

PLEASE NOTE to sign up for classes at Plant Street https://plantstreetblackhillsworks.setmore.com

Coffee Chat – Enjoy current events, conversation and coffee. M, T, W, TH & F @ 830 /Library

Book Share - Come hear a short, engaging and readaloud story.

M, T, W, TH, F @ 12 /Library

Quick Cooking Plant Street - “Kitchen time with Mary Ellen” is what’s on the menu. M, T, TH, F @ 9/Kitchen Fitness Center- We will be exercising at the Range Road Fitness Center. You can meet us there or enjoy a van ride to the facility. M, T, W @ 1/Meet in Art Center

Public Library – We will be visiting the library. If you want to meet us there, just let us know! Mondays @ 9/ meet in PS Library

Swing Time – Enjoy the various swings in the sensory room. Mondays @ 9/Sensory

Snowman Art – Create and design snowman themed art projects. Mondays @ 10/Art Center

Game Time - Join us for “Flickin Chickin.” Plenty of laughter and fun.

Mondays @ 10:30 /Sensory

Marvelous, Meticulous Manicures – Rough hands? In need of a trim? We will even splash some color on your nails, if you so desire. Mondays @ 1 /Sensory Room

Reindeer Art – Create and design reindeer themed art projects. Mondays @2/Art Center

Dog Art – Create and design canine themed art projects. Tuesdays @9/Art Center

Scavenger Hunt – The name says it all. Expand your exploratory skills. Tuesdays @ 9/Library

Game Time - Join us for “Balloon Toss.” Plenty of laughter and fun.

Tuesdays @ 10:30 /Sensory

Karaoke – Do you enjoy music and singing? Tuesdays @ 1 & Thursdays @ 9 /Music room

Santa Art – Create and design Santa themed art projects. Tuesdays @ 2/Art Center

Shopping for Cooking – Accompany staff to Family Fare grocery store and/or food pantry, as supplies are gathered for cooking classes. Wednesdays @ 9/meet in Library

Create Your Own Coloring Page – Put your skills and creativity to use. Design your own page for coloring. Wednesdays @ 9/Art Center

Snoezeling Time – Visit our room specially designed to deliver stimuli to various senses, using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, etc. Wednesdays @ 9/ Sensory

“

Snowball Fight!!!” – Engage in a “snowball fight” (yarn) with your friends. Wednesdays @ 10:30/Sensory Dog Companionship -- Come visit our furry friend from the Pet Partners program. Wednesdays @ 1 & Fridays @ 9/Sensory

Lego Club – Join us in our activities room (library) for Lego mania. You will create designs, build objects, and sometimes manipulate or play a game with the Legos. Wednesdays @ 2 /Art Center

Holiday Art – Create and design Holiday themed art projects. Thursdays @9/Art Center

Swimming – Join us at the Rec Center with your support person for a dip in the pool. Must have your own swimsuit and towel. Thursdays @ 9am & Fridays @ 12:00 / Rec Swim Center

Game Time - Join us for “Heads Up.” Plenty of laughter and fun. Thursdays @ 10:30 /Sensory

Bingo – Feeling lucky? Come join us for a variety of Bingo games and win a prize! Thursdays @ 1 /Library Watercolor Madness– Create and design Watercolor projects. Thursdays @ 2/Art Center

Colored Pencil Designs– Create and design colored pencil projects. Fridays @9/Art Center

Game Time - Join us for “UNO.” Plenty of laughter and fun.

Fridays @ 10:00 / Sensory

Sound Bath – Meditation music for soothing the mind. Fridays @ 10:30/Sensory

Volunteer Opportunity- Assist the staff of 2Nd Time Around Thrift Shop by contributing to daily business operations. Fridays @ 12/meet at Art Room

Soundbeam 6 – Experiment with our award-winning ‘touch free’ device which uses sensor technology to translate body movement into music and sound. Fridays @ 1:30/Music Room

Range Rd. Classes

PLEASE NOTE to sign up for classes at Range Road https://rangeroadbhworks.setmore.com

Quick Cooking -- The group will learn the following: safety in the kitchen, proper hygiene when cooking, reading recipes, microwave/oven and stove cooking, measuring, creating and tasting! M & F @ 10 & T, TH @ 1 / Kitchen

Dog Companionship -- Come visit with Raina, our furry friend from the Pet Partners program. Mondays @ 1 / Social Skills Center

Bible Study -- This class is designed to educate people about the bible. Participants will study scriptures and have conversations about what they have read/listened to. They will talk about what the scriptures mean to them and how they can utilize them in their life.

Monday @ 9/ Social Skills Center

Science Class – Participants will learn a variety of science by hands on experiments and research!

Wednesdays @ 2pm / Science Center

Bingo -- Join us for an old-fashioned game of BINGO!

Wednesdays @ 9 / Social Skills Center

Gym Walking -- Those shoes are made for walkin’. Join us for laps in the gym! Wednesdays @ 12:30 / Gym

Geography Class -- In each class we will learn about a different US state or country! We will learn information about various locations, such as symbols, flags, maps, state capitals, songs, birds, flowers, trees, tourist activities, the economy and much, much more. Wednesdays @ 1 / Social Skills Center

Current Events -- Come learn about local, state and national news! Read the paper and watch the news-open discussions! M-F @ 8:30 / Social Skills Center

DYI Projects – Enjoy making DIY Projects? Come join us for a variety of experiences using your hands and mind to create! Thursdays @ 1 / Social Skills Center

Chair Yoga -- Great low impact class that can be done in a sitting position! Class will be adapted for all levels!

Tuesdays @ 9 / Fitness Center

Traditional Yoga—Great low impact yoga for all ages! Class is taught by a volunteer! Thursdays @ 10am / Fitness Center

Music Appreciation – Join us in learning about music of the previous decades! Each class will focus on a different era and specific artists! Thursdays @ 9am / Social Skills Center

Book Club—Participants will get together to read or listen to a specific book being read! After each reading, a group discussion will follow! Mondays @ 1/ Social Skills Center

Film Festival Friday—Join us for various films being shown each Friday in December! Fridays @ 1 / Social Skills Center

Trivia Class— Come play a quizzing game involving facts about a specific topic! Participants will be asked trivia questions (via books, YouTube, internet, etc.) Games may be played in a large group, individually or small teams. Mondays @ 11 / Social Skills Center

Adult Gel Pen Art—Use your creativity to make Gel Drawings/Art. Wednesdays @ 10 / Social Skills Center

Holiday Art—Get into the Christmas spirit and join us for holiday art! Tuesdays @ 10 / Learning Center

Hiking Club—Enjoy the outdoors and nature? Enjoy hiking? We will be doing various Black Hills Hikes! Be prepared with proper shoes, water bottle, attire and sunscreen. Thursdays @ 9 / Meet in Fitness Center (WEATHER PERMITTING-in increment weather, we will be researching various hikes around the world) History Class – Participants will learn a variety of history by hands on activities and research! Mondays @ 2pm / Science Center Weather Class – Participants will learn about weather by hands on activities and research! Tuesdays @ 2pm / Science Center

Holiday Class – Participants will learn about whacky holidays and upcoming holidays! Classes will be both hands on and research based! Thursdays @ 2pm / Science Center

Teamwork Puzzle Competition – How fast can you do a 300-piece puzzle? 100 piece or even a 500 piece? Join a small team: clock and record your time to see if you can beat others! Mondays @ 10am and Fridays @ 9am / Puzzle Center

Dance Party – Come bust a move in this Dance Party Social! A variety of music with a beat for everyone will be sure to keep everyone on their toes! Tuesdays @ 11am / Social Skills Center

Pool/Foosball Competitions – Come join in this fun competition! Players will compete against each other in pool and foosball! Wednesdays @ 11am / Rec Center

Strider/Bike Course – Come on over and try a strider or bike on a course in the gym! Participants can go at

own speed/pace through the course! Thursdays @ 1030 am / Gym Gym Parachute – Who didn’t love the old school parachute in gym class? Join us for some parachute games and fun! Fridays @ 11 am / Gym

Flutter Productions Classes at Range Road

Introduction to Playwriting-- Tuesdays @ 10 / Flutter Productions

Introduction to Design-- Tuesdays @ 11 / Flutter Productions

Introduction to Acting-- Tuesdays @ 1 / Flutter Productions

Dance Class-- Tuesdays @ 2 / Flutter Productions

Once-a-Month Ukulele Class— Wednesday Dec 7nd @ 1230 / Flutter Productions

Just the Two of Us— Two-person band playing various musical instruments and singing songs for any group to enjoy! Friday Dec 2nd @ 930 / RANGE ROAD

Safe Driver Program

Submitted by Kevin Bybee

Happy December to all!

The Safe Driver Program enters its final month and let me tell you… it has been quite a tight competition! The top 3 spots are separated by less than a single percentage point. Please continue to be aware of your surroundings while driving, stay off of your cell phone, and be a defensive driver while you navigate your way through Rapid City and the surrounding areas.

Here is how the leader board is shaping up. Winners will be announced in January for the safest driving department within the agency. Top three departments will be recognized next month!

Outstanding Employee at Offutt

Submitted by Justin Amitrano

Justin received this compliment from a customer of the Offutt Air Force Base Commissary in Omaha.

I want to highlight an Outstanding Employee that works at the Offutt AFB Commissary. This is of course Mr. Hong (pronounced Hahn), the hard-working store worker that works the boxes, shelves and products that myself and my wife purchase at our Offutt AFB Commissary. It is just a delight to walk into this store and find Hong working and restocking the store. I always say "Hi Hong" and every time, I will get back a pleasant and personal "Hi, how are you?" reply.

I don't know how many times Hong has assisted my wife and I in finding and locating the store item that we could not find but Hong knows exactly where that item is on the shelf and in what aisle I can find that item, even with a store product shelf reset! His friendly and supportive demeanor is always a delight and is so appreciated greatly every time we see him in the commissary store. Yes, the products are great and so value priced at our commissary, but for my family what just makes our shopping experience that much better is a personal "Hi, how are you?" from Hong. My wife and I don't get this friendly greeting or very personal shopping experience at any of the grocery stores in the Bellevue or Papillion area. This is why we shop at our Offutt AFB Commissary. It's that “Hong personal shopping experience.”  Thank you, Mr. Hong, and thank you Offutt AFB Commissary.

Congratulations Hong, and keep up the great work!

Business Partners Makes Project Skills Possible

Submitted by Matthew Klinger

Black Hills Works Employment Support Specialists (ESSs) have been busy supporting our local high school students find employment opportunities this fall. This is our fourth year supporting Project Skills students, and this year we have 32 students participating in the program.

Project Skills is a program offered to students who are nearing the end of their high school careers and may be transitioning into the workforce. Students enroll in the program where we partner with the school district, DHS, and local businesses to provide the students paid work experience in a real work environment. The student is able to learn job skills in a career of their interest and benefits from the learning opportunities and the wages, and the business benefits from the help of an additional employee during the school year.

The students’ success would not be possible without our community business partners, many of whom are eager to support a student year after year. Businesses provide the student with the working environment, training and supervision, and opportunities to learn while working. Our ESSs support the student through on-site job coaching, teaching them the hard and soft skills needed for their new positions. We start placing our students at work sites right at the beginning of the school year and work towards having all students placed by the end of November.

Thank you to some of our “regulars,” the businesses that work with us year after year and always find the perfect opportunities for their students and provide amazing learning environments where the students thrive. Thank you to Quality Inn on Mt. Rushmore Road for taking two students this year and providing them with superb natural supports! Our students there are learning how to greet guests, reserve rooms, do administrative tasks, and support cleaning guest resources. Thank you to Edgewood Senior Living and Holiday Hills Estates for patiently teaching our students guest services! A huge shout out and thank you to Tom at Pro Auto Care who has been working with this program for over a decade and has hired a student who is still happily working there years later and we greatly appreciate his passion in helping our students succeed. Thank you to Pure Bean Coffee, Mackenzie River, Eddie Bauer, EchoWorks, Cutting Edge, Fischer Clearance Furniture, and the many more businesses that help make Project Skills work!

CEO Corner

Submitted by Brad Saathoff

I am thankful for all 563 of you whose work has enabled us to serve close to 600 people with disabilities and their families this year. I appreciate the work our direct support teams have done to help people achieve their goals and have lives with purpose. I appreciate all of our support team members who support the direct support teams. Without all of this happing in really highquality ways, we would not be able to serve our communities and those that count on us to live integrated lives, grow around their own personal goals and to achieve successes.

Also, thank you for your part in transitioning us into the post public health emergency world. I am grateful for all of you for helping with the many new things this world includes that are both progress and necessary so that those we are fortunate to serve can enjoy freedoms and the dignity of carrying out on the personal responsibilities that those freedoms come with.

Nice work everyone!!

Focus on Safety

Submitted

by Kevin Bybee

Congratulation to Rodney Mason - Offutt AFB Driver. Our December Safety Star is awarded to Rodney for his attention to detail and safe practices when it comes to our fleet at Offutt AFB. Rodney carries out his work task sign off on the vehicle maintenance inspection checklist on a daily basis. He follows the company safety policies, compliance, and safe driving behaviors which lowers the risk of accidents and other safety issues. Rodney has a safety-first mind set which also creates a safe culture around him.

Do you work with a co-worker who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to safety? Please text "Safety Star" to 605-389-0335 to nominate someone, or email Kbybee@bhws.com.

People with Purpose

Submitted by Alexi Kieffer

We would like to take a moment to showcase one of the many people with purpose that we have serving our organization. Please take a moment to get to know more about Brittney Aadland.

Brittney Aadland – ISC

Serving BHW since January 2018

Connect at: baadland@bhws.com

Why do you choose to work at BHW? I wanted to work with individuals with disabilities to help with their everyday lives and I was interested in learning more on how we can provide best services and supports. In return they teach me more about resilience and acceptance of everyone and everything.

What is something that you wish you would have known when you first started? Do not take things personally. There are moments when people are going to struggle and get frustrated and they may point that anger towards you, their supporter. It is important to keep in mind that they are working through something bigger than you and you cannot take that personally in the moment.

What is a moment that you are most proud of? I supported someone who would seldom bathe. It was not interesting to her and she would often refuse to do so. I gathered input and feedback from the team and took this person to Bath and Body Works so she could pick out different lotions and soaps that she would be excited to use and try out. Since doing this she has bathed routinely and enjoys doing so. This was a win for everyone involved.

How do you build connections within your team? It is important to think and plan together as a team and to gather feedback. Humor is also an important element. If you can bring humor into conversations and discussions it helps people relate more and bring things into focus as to why we do what we do.

1/6/23

12/18/22 12/31/22

1/20/23 1/1/23 1/14/23

2/3/23 1/15/23 1/28/23

2/17/23 1/29/23 2/11/23

3/3/23 2/12/23 2/25/23

3/17/23 2/26/23 3/11/23

3/31/23 3/12/23 3/25/23

4/14/23 3/26/23 4/8/23

4/28/23 4/9/23 4/22/23

5/12/23 4/23/23 5/6/23

5/26/23 5/7/23 5/20/23

• The employee will receive this extra pay on his/her paycheck, and it will be subject to taxes and his/her 401k contribution.

• If two referring employees are listed, the bonus is split.

• Former employees - at least 6 months since he/ she left before a referring employee is eligible.

The employee will receive this extra pay on his/her paycheck, and it will be subject to taxes and his/her 401k contribution.

• The referring employee(s) will receive the extra pay on their next paycheck following 30 days from the employment start date of their referral/ new hire.

• If two referring employees are listed, the bonus is split. • Former employeesat least 6 months since he/ she left before a referring employee is eligible. • The referring employee(s) will receive the extra pay on their next paycheck following 30 days from the employment start date of their referral/ new hire. • Effective 12/12/2021

• Effective 12/12/2021

cards for the purpose of recruitment are available through HR Department.