The Workplace February 2023

Profiling National Housing Trust Fund Developments

Community Change is a national advocacy group that was founded over 50 years ago. Their efforts include educating legislators and other decision makers on the importance of affordable housing. Last fall, they reached out to Black Hills Works Foundation to learn more about the history of Wright Street, which was funded in part through the Housing Trust Fund. The case study they wrote will be shared across the country!

To read the article, go to https://communitychange.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Creating-Housing-forExtremely-Low-Income-Residents-Profiling-National-Housing-Trust-Fund-Developments-Wright-Street-South-Dakota.pdf

DURING CONSTRUCTION

Throwback to 1986!

Cindy Mosset was featured in the Summer 1986 newsletter for showing growth and progress in her job at the electronics area of the old Black Hills Workshop and Training Center.

Like most of the people we support, Cindy was proud of her work. She would boast, "I finished 106 computer circuit boards yesterday. I'm probably one of the fastest ones here." Through Cindy's motivation and working closely with her Employment Support Services team, Cindy found a job she enjoyed and received the support she needed to be successful.

Employment Support Services and job coaching continue to assist nearly 300 people we support in employment in a variety of industries.

• Tourism/Hotel

• Medical

• Restaurant

• Maintenance

• Retail/Grocery

• Nonprofit/Business Support

• Military Essential Support Staff

For more information on how to connect people supported with possible employment opportunities, reach out to Matt Klinger at mklinger@bhws.com.

February Class Schedule

PLANT STREET

To sign up for classes plantstreetblackhillsworks.setmore.com

Coffee Chat - Enjoy current events, conversation and coffee. M, T, W, TH & F @ 8:30 Library

Book Share - Hear a short, engaging and read-aloud story. M, T @ 1:30 / Thurs & Fri @ 12 Sensory

Quick Cooking - Learn life skills and easy to make recipes. M, T, TH, F @ 9 / W @ 12:30 Kitchen

Fitness Center - Exercising at the Range Road Fitness Center. You can meet us there or enjoy a van ride to the facility. M @ 1 Meet in Art Center

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

Swing Time - Enjoy the various swings in the sensory room. M @ 9 Sensory

No Brushes Allowed! - Create and design art projects. Enhance your skills by using tools other than brushes. M & F @ 10 Art Center

Marvelous, Meticulous Manicures – Rough hands? In need of a trim? We will even splash some color on your nails, if you so desire. M @ 12 Sensory Room

UNO Madness! – Join your friends for UNO. A winner board will be maintained, with the ultimate victor receiving a prized at the end of the month. M @ 12:15 F @ 10 Library

Karaoke – Do you enjoy music and singing? T @ 1 & Th @ 9 Music room

Wii – Short name that says it all. Enjoy the variety of games available on the Nintendo Wii. T @ 9 Library

Current Events – Relax after lunch and catch up on the headlines. T @ 12:15 Library

Outdoor/Nature Designs – Create and design landscapes or explore your own ideas encompassing the great outdoors. T @ 2 Art Center

Winter Wonderland Designs – Create art based upon the winter season. Th @ 2 Art Center

Gnomes!!!! – Create Gnome art. Dolls, drawings, or whatever you can imagine. T @ 10 Art Center

Paper Plate Madness – Art projects utilizing paper plates. T @ 2 Art Center

Bowling – Join your friends for fun and competition at Robbinsdale Bowling Alley. Meet in the Plant Street Art Center or join us at Robbinsdale with your support person. W @ 10 Art Center

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

Snoezeling Time – Visit our room specially designed to deliver stimuli to various senses, using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, etc. T & Th @ 10 Sensory

Dog Companionship - Come visit our furry friend from the Pet Partners program. W @ 1 & F @ 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. W @ 2 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. Th @ 9 & F @ 12:00 Rec Swim Center

Bingo – Feeling lucky? Come join us for a variety of Bingo games and win a prize! Th @ 1 Library

Sound Bath – Meditation music for soothing the mind. M & W @ 9 Sensory

Volunteer Opportunity- Assist the staff of Plant Street in the community! Locations may include, but are not limited to, 2nd Time Around Thrift Shop, Goodwill drop offs, EchoWorks drop offs, book distribution, video game and book drives, supply gathering for classes, and more. Meet in the Art Center at Plant Street.

Soundbeam 6 – Experiment with our award-winning 'touch free' device which uses sensor technology to translate body movement into music and sound. F @ 130 Music Room

RANGE ROAD

To sign up for classes

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. M @ 1 & F at 10 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. M @ 9 Social Skills Center

Science Class – Participants will learn a variety of science by hands on experiments and research! W @ 2pm Science Center

Bingo - Join us for an old-fashioned game of BINGO. W @ 9 Social Skills Center

Gym Walking - Those shoes are made for walkin’. Join us for laps in the gym. W @ 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. W @ 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! Th @ 10 Social Skills Center

Chair Yoga - Great low impact class that can be done in a sitting position! Class will be adapted for all levels! T @ 9 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! Th @ 1 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! M @ 1 Social Skills Center

Film Festival Friday - Join us for various films being shown each Friday in Feb! F @ 1 Social Skills Center

Cave and Cavern Research - Join us in learning about caves and caverns in the Black Hills! Where are they, what are they and what makes them unique! M @ 11 Social Skills Center

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

Sign Language - Come learn the basics of Sign Language! T @ 11 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. Th @ 9 / Meet in Fitness Center (WEATHER PERMITTINGin 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! M @ 2pm Science Center

Weather Class – Participants will learn about weather by hands on activities and research! T @ 2pm Science Center

Holiday Class – Participants will learn about whacky holidays and upcoming holidays! Classes will be both hands on and research based! Th @ 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! M @ 10 & F @ 9 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! T @ 10 Social Skills Center

Pool/Foosball Competitions – Join us in a fun competition of pool and foosball. W @ 11 Rec Center

Strider/Bike Course – Come on over and try riding a strider or bike through a course set up in the gym, at your own speed and pace. TH @ 10:30 Gym

TECHNOLOGY CLASSES

Feb 14th Technology @ 9 Rain shaker: using materials to make a rain shaker that is a good sensory item.

Feb 28th Technology @ 9 Circuit flower:  this is a lesson on chromatography and circuits. Creating colored flowers with coffee filters and led lights.

Flutter Productions Classes at Range Road

Once-a-Month Ukulele Class - M Feb 6th @ 12 Flutter Productions

Just the Two of Us - Two-person band playing various musical instruments and singing songs for any group to enjoy!

F Feb 3rd @ 9am Range Road

Announcing our 2023 Artist of the Year!

Submitted by Haley Friedt

Every year, a variety of individuals connected to the Suzie Cappa Art Center vote to elect an Artist of the Year. When making that decision, we look at people who represent the art center through dedication to their craft and personal growth. An Artist of the Year is someone who makes work a priority and works hard, every day, to become the best artist that they can.

This year, we are proud to announce that we have chosen Tyler Engel as our 2023 Artist of the Year! In Tyler’s time here, he had made great strides as an artist - his skills have grown exponentially and his willingness to try new things in recent years is truly admirable. In addition to being a talented artist, Tyler is one of the kindest and most supportive individuals you will ever meet. All of these great traits make him a perfect pick to represent the Suzie Cappa Art Center as our 2023 Artist of the Year. Congratulations, Tyler!

Storm Forecast

Rapid City Storm Athletes - the Black Hills Area Basketball Tournament is just around the corner! This tournament will conclude our 2023 Basketball Season. Come on out and cheer on our three Rapid City Storm teams!

Where: SD School of Mines King Center

When: February 24, 2023

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

March 14: Tip a Player night at Que Pasa Cantina.

Special Olympics athletes will pair up with Rush Hockey players to serve tables from 5:00pm -7:00pm.

March 19, 2023: Special Olympics Night at the Rush. Puck drop is at 4:05 PM. This game will also be a Sensory-Friendly game! Rapid City Rush will be toning down all the bells and whistles in support of the "Hockey is for Everyone" movement!

*More information to come on tickets, watch your emails!

Bowling Fun at Robbinsdale

Chloe, Mike, Codie, and Jackie had a blast bowling at Robbinsdale. Chloe scored a 109! Way to go, Chloe!

Calling All Celebrity Putters!

The Putt-n-Pub will be on March 11, 2023, and we need YOU! Please contact Carrie Moser at 718-6207 if you want to join us!

Enchanted Evening at Bethel Assembly of God church will be on March 17 from 6PM-9PM and registrations are open! Space is limited, so register today!

To register, please go to www.bethel.ag/enchanted-evening.

Foundation Focus

Flutter Productions class registration is now open!

Flutter attendees will attend up to four classes in a single day: Creative Writing, Creative Design, Acting, and Creative Movement.

Don’t wait - class sizes are limited to only 8 people a day. On site Direct Support Staff assistance is available.

Attendees may select one day: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and will be at Flutter from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The same curriculum will be repeated daily with each week building on the previous week. Sack lunch and resealable water bottle required.

FLUTTER TUITION RATES*

•DAILY CLASS TUITION: $35.00 /day  (or $8.75 per class)

•MONTHLY CLASS TUITION $140.00:

Attend one full day of Flutter classes, once a week, for a four-week month.

•ANNUAL CLASS TUITION: $1,260.00

Attend one full day of Flutter classes, once a week, for nine months.

Enroll in SETMORE now: https://rangeroadbhworks.setmore. com. Pay by tuition or submit a Community Donation Request form for consideration.

How to pay: If private or personal pay – upon signing up and attending, an invoice will be generated and sent from the BHW accounting offices. Payment is not due at the time of enrollment.

Unique Auto Grooming

Have you wished your car looked like it did when it was first purchased? Maybe you thought, “My car is a mess! I should clean it up,” but then said, “Nah, I’ll do it later.”

Unique Auto Grooming can help! We have openings for you to get your car back to the way it looked when you first purchased it. Let us do the work for you!

To schedule an appointment, call Adam Parrent at 605-342-7222.

In February the Black Hills Works Foundation will be highlighting the Suzie Cappa Art Center to coincide with the announcement of their 2023 Artist of the Year, Tyler Engel! Keep an eye out for these faces on billboards and their stories on our social media feeds.

Tyler Engel: 5 years at SCAC

Jeff McGlade: 13 years at SCAC

Maureen Conley: 5.5 years at SCAC

Paige Severson: 4 years at SCAC

Mindy Elliott: 14 years at SCAC

Why Do You Give? One Donor Shares Her “Why”

In addition to financial donations, Marilyn Bates has donated handsewn pillowcases, which in previous years were made with her late mother and sister, who also helped put together Christmas gifts for people supported over several years. More recently, she has introduced her friend Cindy to Black Hills Works, and together they have made beautiful quilts and blankets to donate. Extra fabric and craft supplies were donated to the Suzie Cappa Art Center.

Marilyn has been contributing for nearly ten years and was pleased to share her “why.”

“Black Hills Works is such an amazing organization, helping so many people with disabilities become who they are meant to be and making our community a nicer place,” explained Marilyn. “I know my support is helping to make a difference in their lives, and I’m proud to be a small part of a great cause.”

Marilyn’s gifts, so lovingly made, come from the heart. Thank you, Marilyn, for the incredible difference YOU have made!

Community Donation Requests

We are so grateful to everyone who has submitted Community Donation Requests for the people you support! We appreciate connecting our community supports with true needs, like monthly medication costs, transportation, and other general needs.

As before, these requests can be submitted through Lotus if you still have access. If no longer have access to Lotus, email Tamie at thopp@bhws.com to request a form. We’ll update everyone when this process is available in SharePoint. Thank you!

WE HAVE GIFT CARDS!

The people we support sometimes struggle to meet the basic needs that we take for granted, like hygiene products, household items, or clothing. Thanks to Scheels and the First Presbyterian Church, we have gift cards to Scheels, Walmart, Family Fare, and Family Thrift, that can help with these basic needs.

To submit a request, use the Community Donation Request form in Lotus or email Tamie at thopp@bhws.com to request a form. We ask that you please confirm that the individual does not have the resources to pay for what is needed before submitting a request. Pictures and/or thank you notes to share with the donors are greatly appreciated!

Volunteer Spotlight:

February Volunteer Spotlight: Barb Patterson

Barb first became aware of Black Hills Works when she was growing up in Rapid City. When she moved back to the area, she the Suzie Cappa Art Center (SCAC) would be a good place to volunteer, and she fell in love! Seventeen years later, Barb continues to volunteer weekly and treasures the relationships she has formed over the years. “Coming in here every morning and having people happy to see me makes my heart sing!”

Barb is an upbeat, patient, kind, and talented individual with a knack for working with the people we support! She has a great skillset that she offers and is wonderful at sharing and teaching those skills. Her dedication to SCAC is evident through her consistent attendance and many ideas that she shares to help the art center grow! She has created incredible relationships with many of the artists and knows best how to work with individuals in a way that they are benefitting from what she has to offer. She is incredibly reliable and a great asset to the Suzie Cappa Art Center. Her favorite part of volunteering is working with the different artists, seeing their creativity come to life, and having the ability to share and grow her art skills alongside the artists. “Black Hills Works is a wonderful place to volunteer at. They care about you and value your skills and talent that you have to offer. It is very rewarding and fun, and the people are great to be around!” Thank you, Barb, for sharing your time and talents with us!

20 Years Plus Club

Congratulations to BHW staff that joined the 20 years plus club! Thank you for all your years of service!

Spotlight Award

Meet February’s Spotlight Award Winner… Taylor Zesiger!

Taylor has made HUGE strides bringing in the new year! Taylor has been working on finding a job for quite some time, and has successfully achieved her goal! Taylor works at the Central Kitchen every Friday. Taylor helps bag food items, wipes off tables and counters, and is learning additional skills. “I love my job!” she exclaims.

Taylor is part of our Behavioral Health program, and has been working very hard to overcome the barriers in her life. Every day she is making strides to be part of the community where she is a good neighbor, a valued friend, a productive worker, a respected leader, and a caring volunteer. Though she may have more barriers than other people supported, Taylor is always looking to the future so she can live the most fulfilled and meaningful life that she wants for herself. Congratulations, Taylor! Keep up the awesome work!

Safe Driver Program

Submitted by Kevin Bybee

We were able to recognize our Safe Driver Program winners for 2022. Once again, Offutt Transportation “eeked” out a victory by the slimmest of margins (.004), edging out the Rapid City Transportation Department. Our Fir residential home came in a very respectable third place. The photos will be shared in March’s Workplace, so stay tuned.

2023 marked a new year and a new beginning to our competition. The “slate was wiped clean” and all departments start over.

I am looking forward to 2023 and the steps we take to become safer in our everyday duties. Keep safety in mind as you go about your day!

Inclusion Day

Bryce is working hard to get the word out about Inclusion Day on March 1. Keep an eye out for more information!

Advocacy Corner

BHW Legislative Team Testifies at DHS Appropriations Hearing

Submitted by Dan Kindall

The South Dakota Department of Human Services had its budget hearing with the Joint Appropriations committee in Pierre in January to outline the 2024 budget proposal and priorities. Black Hills Works sent a legislative team to the hearing to provide testimony on workforce issues pertaining to Direct Support Professionals and how those issues affect people served.

Jameson McClain (Parkview) shared how the impact that constant changes in the DSP workforce have on people supported. He emphasized the need for a competitive wage to recruit and retain DSPs. Skylar Smith (Community Homes) focused her testimony on the emotional impact the job has especially in light of medical emergencies, along with effects of experiencing the death of a person served.

Rhadonda Quandt (Minnesota) centered her testimony on experiencing situations where the residence is understaffed in contrast to when it is fully staffed. She mentioned working sixteen-hour days due to a lack of staffing. Rhadonda also outlined the responsibilities DSPs have on their shoulders, emphasizing that being fully staffed is a necessity to meeting the needs of people served.

As part of the BHW’s Legislative Team, parent and guardian Fred Steffen, whose son is a resident at Minnesota, emphasized that high staff turnover creates stress on people served since most have difficulty adjusting to change, and find it hard to build necessary relationships with DSPs. He went on to express concerns on how the lack of proper funding could negatively affect the already high standard of care exercised in the state.

After testimony, several legislators approached team members to express their appreciation and ask questions clarifying their experiences as DSPs.

Thank you to the Legislative Team for sharing your experiences with the Appropriations Committee!

In the front row (L to R): Fred and Karen Steffen, Skylar Smith, and Rhadonda Quandt

Back Row (L to R): Jameson McClain, Representative Chris Karr, Appropriations Committee Co-Chair & Representative Mike Derby of Rapid City, CSPs of South Dakota Association Director Dan Cross, and BHW Advocacy Specialist Dan Kindall.

Focus on Safety

Submitted by Kevin Bybee

January gave me a chance to reflect back on 2022 and look into how we performed as an agency within the safety realm. We were able to award departments for some great accomplishments in 2022. We had 11 locations which had zero accidents for the entire year. Those locations are Arizona, Anaconda, EAFB Supply Store, EAFB Mail Center, Edwards A, Fir, ITS 2, Parkview, Black Hills Brain Health, Unique Auto, and Woodworks. At the time of the deadline for this newsletter, some locations had not yet been given their certificate. We will share those with you next month. Congratulations to these locations!

Based on the order that you have in the Workplace, the locations are Black Hills Brain Health, Unique Auto Grooming, Woodworks, EAFB Mail Center, and EAFB Supply Store.

Black Hills Brain Health

Unique Auto Grooming

Woodworks