The Workplace - April 2023

Meet Amanda

Sweet and quiet, Amanda has a wonderful smile and a ready laugh with warm brown eyes. She and her mom returned to Rapid City when she was a teen because South Dakota offered better programs for Amanda than were available in states they previously lived in, Maryland and Texas.

Now 37, Amanda lives in an apartment building owned by Black Hills Works with a roommate. They enjoy watching old shows like the Golden Girls and Andy Griffith together. She loves country western music and usually has music by Blake Sheldon or Alan Jackson playing at home. She keeps active with day programming, participating in classes at the Learning Center, and is working with the employment support team to find a job that’s a good fit. She’s also part of Special Olympics.

Amanda says she loves many things about Black Hills Works: the staff, her roommates, friends, and her apartment. She wants people to know that it’s important to be nice to her and to take the time to talk with her. Amanda’s kindness is an inspiration to us!

To learn more about Amanda, visit the Black Hills Works Facebook page at facebook.com/ blackhillsworks.

Meet Ricky

In his early 60s, Ricky has been part of the Black Hills Works family for 33 years. He is soft spoken and thoughtful with a keen sense of humor. When asked if he had any life lessons to share, he joked, “Life isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be,” followed by a more serious response of, “Live each day like it’s your last, and take it one day at a time.”

Ricky has had a variety of jobs through Black Hills Works, but for now, he’s following his own advice and taking life one day at a time. His humor and friendship mean a lot to those who know him, and we’re so glad he’s part of the Black Hills Works family!

To learn more about Ricky, visit Black Hills Works Facebook page at facebook.com/blackhillsworks

Josh Gets the Job Done!

Submitted by Kelsey Egan

Most people immediately think of doctors and nurses regarding health care. However, when it comes to hospital supplies, who takes care of that?

The Central Supply department, which falls under Black Hills Works’ small group employment, is an essential system component at Monument Health. The mission is to centralize the storage, issuance, preparation, and sterilization of supplies and equipment used in the care and treatment of patients.

When the Central Supply department found itself hardpressed to operate more efficiently, one of our own stepped up with a can-do attitude to get the job done! Joshua Walker is a Central Supply Technician at Monument Health. As a Central Supply Technician, he is responsible for sterilizing canisters, drying sterilization canisters, putting away shipments, and picking surgical orders. When Josh

heard the department was down several employees, he immediately volunteered to help out! He chose to miss a Special Olympics game to allow his teammates the day off and ensure the job was done right. Josh always comes into the facility and puts forth professionalism, smiles, work ethic, and patience. He is an example to all.

Way to go, Joshua! Keep up the great work at Monument Health!

In 1995, Tom Brought Plenty was honored by the Governor with a prestigious award for his hard work and a certificate announcing that April 20th was Tom Brought Plenty day! Congratulations Tom! You are unstoppable!

Offutt Air Force Base was featured on the news last month as part of disability awareness month! Check out the story at https://www. wowt.com/2023/03/20/offutt-afb-welcomesemployees-with-disabilities-via-south-dakotanonprofit/

https://bhwlearninginstitute.setmore.com

(ALL Classes are on ONE link)

Plant Street Classes

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

Project Board--Review our Project Board and select an activity of your choice. Projects will include, but not be limited to: cards/care packages to the troops, placemats for donation to a variety of organizations, cards/care packages for senior centers, cards/care packages for first responders, dog toys for donation, #605 rocks, etc. Projects will be stored onsite for future distribution. M, W, F @ 9:30/T, TH @ 1 Art Center

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

Quick Cooking--Learn life skills and easy to make recipes. M, T, TH, F @ 9 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 (with your support person), just let us know! M @ 9 meet in PS Library

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

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--Join your friends for UNO. M @ 12:15

Beading--Explore your creativity with beadwork and beading projects. Donate your projects to community care packages. M @ 2

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

Gamers’ Club: PS3 and Wii--Enjoy our expanded library of PlayStation 3 and Wii games. F @ 10 Library

Current Events --Relax after lunch and catch up on the headlines. T @ 12:45 Library

Spring Sensations--Create arts/crafts based upon the spring season. T @ 10

Cardio Development (Community Based) --Join the staff of Plant Street for varying activities such as mall walking, trips to the park, hiking, picnics, and the like. Please bring a support person. W @ 12:15 Library

Paper Bags--Create arts/crafts utilizing paper bags. W @ 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 Library

Snoezelin 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

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. W @ 9 Sensory

Dexterity and Strength Development for Sensory--Join Plant Street staff in the Sensory Area Swing Room for chair based low impact exercises focused on increasing dexterity and developing strength. F @ 9 Sensory

Volunteer Opportunity--Assist the staff of Plant Street in the community! Distribute items from our Projects Board class. Related events may include, but are not limited to:

2nd Time Around Thrift Shop, Goodwill, EchoWorks, book distribution, video game and book drives, and more. Meet at Plant Street. F @ 12 Art Room

Movie Classics and Popcorn with Friends--Enjoy a classic movie and movie theater style popcorn with your friends. F @ 12:30

Range Road Classes

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, W & 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 Learning 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 Learning 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 Learning 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 Learning Center

Current Events and Social Skills--Come learn about local, state and national news! Read the paper and watch the news-open discussions. M-F @ 830 Learning Center

DYI Projects--Enjoy making DIY Projects? Come join us for a variety of experiences using your hands and mind to create! Th @ 10 Learning 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 @ 2 Learning 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 Learning Center

Film Festival Friday--Join us for various films being shown each Friday in Feb! F @ 1230pm Learning 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 Learning Center

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

Step By Step Drawings--Join us in a step by step guided drawing class. 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 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! M @ 2pm Science Center

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

Hygiene/Self Care--Join us in learning about good hygiene and self-care! M @ 10 Learning Center

Recycle Volunteering--Join us in picking up recycles from Black Hills Works locations and taking to the recycling center. T @ 10 Learning 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 @ 11 Gym

DIY Volunteer Projects--Join in on making cards for military troops or elderly centers! Design a bookmark that will be donated to the library, various churches, or bookstores at your leisure. Items will be provided with a done box in the room. T @ 1pm and F @ 9am Learning Center

Technology--April 11th @ 9am Sensory Bags, these assist with touch and visual sensory input!

Technology--April 25th @ 9am Rainbow Twirlers, Sensory input using light refraction making a wind catcher!

Once-a-Month Ukulele Class--April 3rd @ 12 Flutter Productions

Just the Two of Us--Two-person band playing various musical instruments and singing songs for any group to enjoy! April 7th @ 9am Plant Street

FLUTTER CLASS TUITION or SCHOLARSHIP* RATES

ISCs SIGN UP THOSE YOU SUPPORT

HERE: https://bhwlearninginstitute.setmore.com

DAILY CLASS TUITION: $35.00 /day or $8.75 a Class

You pick to attend either: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Attend a full day (4.5 hours), ½ a day, or even just one class.

Limit 8 attendees per day. Sack lunch & water bottle required.

*Scholarships are available through the BHW Foundation

Class Descriptions & Times

For the weeks of March 20 – May 12, 2023

Pick your day: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Creative Writing: 10:30 – 11:30 AM Participants will explore a variety of written materials including novels, poems, and plays, as well as their own life experiences and how it can be applied to the theatre. Participants will work on writing exercises, crafting poems, or possibly contributing the annual Flutter summer show.

Creative Design: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Participants will explore a variety of different design techniques used theatre-based arts and crafts and how they can be applied to a theatrical productions and Flutter’s biennial all-ability fashion show, FashionABLE.

Acting: 1:00 – 2:00 PM Participants will learn various warm up techniques to engage the body, face, and voice for the stage through theatrical games, improv, and warmups. Participants will also work on memorizing and performing short pieces.

Creative Movement: 2:00 – 2:45 PM Movers will learn a blend of modern & theatrical dance basics. Participants will experience physical exercise in a group setting, and are invited to express themselves artistically through movement with guided improvisation activities in a positive environment.

Storm Forecast

Mucho Gracias to everyone that participated in the Tip a Player Night at Que Pasa!  Rapid City Storm athletes had an absolute blast serving tables and selling raffle tickets with their favorite Rapid City Rush Hockey players. Congratulations to David Tanner for winning the signed Rush jersey & backpack!

Thank you Rapid City Rush & Que Pasa for supporting Special Olympics!!

Special Olympics/Sensory Friendly Night At The Rush

Special Olympics/Sensory friendly night at the Rush was a ton of fun! Tom Brought Plenty and Patrick Sabrowski received the honors of doing the puck drop to start the hockey game! During the first intermission, Rapid City Storm athletes went out onto the ice to honor and congratulate their friends from Rapid City Flame on earning their high school letterman jackets.

Thank you Bar-Sto Precision Machine and Celtic Connections, for your generous ticket donation, all the seats were filled!

SpartanNash Foundation completed their annual fundraisers for Special Olympics. Thank you to everyone that donated and thank you Spartan Nash Foundation for your continued support of Special Olympics.

Upcoming Events

What:

Track and Field Practice

When: 1st practice will be Monday March 27, 2023 (please choose only one practice time)

•Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM

•Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Where: BHW Legends Ride Gymnasium

Email apipke@bhws.com and tsorensonstevens@bhws.com with sign ups.

What: Volleyball Practice

When: 1st practice will be Saturday, April 1

•Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM

Where: BHW Legends Ride Gymnasium

Email apipke@bhws.com and tsorensonstevens@bhws.com with sign ups.

Track and Field practices have started, but it’s not too late to sign up! Email apipke@bhws.com or  tsorenson-stevens@bhws.com.

State Summer Games in Spearfish: May 18 – 20, specific track & field, volleyball TBD

Athletes wishing to attend State games will need to qualify by participating in the Black Hills Area Track meet on April 28th at Sioux Park. Athletes will need to make their own travel and support arrangements for the day.

Meet Sy

Sierra “Sy” Neff works hard and plays hard! He is a highly focused athlete and shines in Special Olympics, participating in basketball, bowling, bocce, and track and field. Sy’s height and strength are advantageous for the sports he plays. He is known for his powerful one-handed free throws in basketball and happily cheers for himself when he makes a basket. His enthusiasm is contagious! Sy’s endurance is remarkable; he can spend a long time practicing his one-handed shots from center court.

Groundbreaking for New Bocce Ball Courts

Officials broke ground on March 17, 2023 for a new bocce ball complex on the northwest corner of Omaha Street and Mt. Rushmore Rd. Construction of the initial eight bocce courts is expected to be completed in June.

Sy’s drive and passion for the things he’s interested in are so inspiring. It reminds us of what we’re passionate about at Black Hills Works – making sure Sy and his peers have the supports in place to thrive in life!

To learn more about Sy, visit the Black Hills Works Facebook page at facebook. com/blackhillsworks.

EchoWorks to Celebrate Earth Day at the Rapid City Earth Day Expo!

EchoWorks will be hosting a free community collection event on April 22 at the 2023 Earth Day Expo at Western Dakota Tech! This event is sponsored, in part, by a grant received by Black Hills Energy. We are excited to give back to our supportive community and celebrate Earth Day by

allowing free recycling of old electronics at this event.

Since January 2022, EchoWorks has diverted more than 400,000 pounds (196 tons) of electronic waste from our landfill, earning local and national awards.

Blaze, Tyler and Randy will be representing EchoWorks and Black Hills Works at this sustainability event. Please join us!

Foundation Focus

Keep an eye out for these faces on billboards and their stories on our social media feeds (pictured top to bottom, left to right).

• Heather Kickery was featured in March – with BHW since 1991

• Tom Brought Plenty – with BHW since 1979

• Carmen Lester – with BHW since 1998

• Blaze Johnson – with BHW since 2003

• Jessica Weedon – with BHW since 2006

• Steven Castonguay – with BHW since 2018

• Conrad Kranzler – with BHW since 2018

Donor Story: Dorothy Whisler

Ensuring Medical Needs are Met

Charles and Dorothy Whisler became involved with Black Hills Works Foundation in the early 1980s and soon became passionate about our mission. When Charles died in 2007, Dorothy and her family decided to establish a sustaining gift. The Charles and Dorothy Endowment Fund is a perpetual gift, meaning only a distribution from each year’s earnings will be used to support a medical need.

Thank you to the Whisler Family for helping to provide a solid future for those we support!

Connect with us!

Dorothy poses beside photos of her late husband Charles.

Check us out on our social media platforms: facebook.com/blackhillsworks

BHW Employees: facebook.com/groups/288621272394017

instagram.com/blackhillsworks

linkedin.com/company/black-hills-works

youtube.com/user/BlackHillsWorks

twitter.com/blackhillsworks

THANK YOU TO OUR APRIL SPONSOR!

Thank YOU!

Thank you to all of the Celebrity Putters that volunteered at the Putt-n-Pub in March! YOU are the highlight of the event!

Safe Driver Program

Submitted by Kevin Bybee

We are three months in to our safe driver competition for 2023 and we already have some jostling around the top spots. The maintenance department has been the leader through January and February but were bumped out of the top spot by the reigning championsOffutt AFB. Woodworks makes an appearance, coming in 2nd place thus far for the year. Black Gap has held the third-place position since January while Maintenance and Fir round out the top five.

Continue to be alert while driving. Stay off your phones and continue to provide safe transportation. Thank you for all you do!

Advocacy Corner: Advocacy Moves Forward at Black Hills Works

Submitted by Dan Kindall

It has been four years since advocacy efforts for persons supported began at Black Hills Works with the start of the A-Team. The original team created a bedrock by generating opportunities for our population to become educated on self-advocacy along with exercising their voice in different venues including at the State Capital in Pierre.

Now, with the revival of advocacy in November of 2022, a foundation is being laid on that bedrock to give people supported, parents/guardians, and staff the chance to have a greater voice and larger footprint at the local and state level.

In the January Workplace an article was published detailing the efforts of our DSP legislative team who successfully testified at the Department of Humans Services Budget hearing. This action is creating more opportunities to becoming involved in the national

DEPARTMENT/CCSCORE

effort to professionalize the occupation of the Direct Service Professional.

Tuesday, February 7th marked the first official meeting of our Advocacy Leadership Board. The eight members include both parents/guardians and persons supported, including Jeff Vermundson, Bill & Julie Kopp, Heather Kickery, Evan Nestore, Andy Kopp, and Fred and Karen Steffen. Each brings to the table a unique set of talents that are being used to create a strong advocacy arm for Black Hills Works.

The Board, along with some members of the DSP Legislative team, made their presence felt at the Cracker Barrell Legislative Town Halls at Western Dakota Tech. Board members wore the yellow A-Team t-shirts. Senator David Johnson took a moment during his opening remarks at one of the Town Halls to acknowledge and “Welcome Back” our Advocacy members, stating that it “was good to see the yellow shirts again.”

As advocacy efforts move forward, the

Board is having conversations on two particular efforts. The first is bringing back advisory events for self-advocates, parent/guardians and staff. The events will include free seminars focused on vital issues that directly affect our population. Also, board members are assisting in exploring the creation of a Disability Caucus in South Dakota involving state legislators of both political parties.

In looking towards the future, momentum is growing as opportunities develop to have a greater voice in shaping policy in South Dakota.

Members of the Advocacy Leadership Board attended the Crackerbarrel.

Front Row: Heather Kickery, Karen Steffen, Andy Steffen, and Fred Steffen. Back Row: Evan Nestore, Skylar Smith, Brad Saathoff, Ed Kopp, Julie and Bill Kopp.

Exciting things are happening! We have been experiencing many changes as we deliver supports to people with disabilities through the public health emergency and now emerging out of that environment. We know people we serve need direct support staff supporting them that are strong and resilient with the talent to teach people with disabilities how to grow their skills and participate in their life to the greatest extent possible. Work that has an extremely high purpose. In order for our direct support teams to be strong and capable to do this we are keeping our eye on words that were first shared with us by Dr. David Pitonyak, a Black Hills Works mentor “People’s needs are best met by people whose own needs are met.”

Black Hills Works has been considering some changes that

Focus on Safety

Submitted by Kevin Bybee

will result in better work/life balance for much of our direct support staff.  We know that is important for you and your team mates. Another goal of these changes is getting even more pay for our DSP staff through maximum efficiency in scheduling and operations. The better pay we can get into your pockets and the best work/life balance possible means your needs are best positioned to be met.

We aren't ready to share details yet but we do want you to start getting excited!  We are in the very beginning stages of planning, but hope to have more information to share in about 6 seeks.

There is one change I can share now though, and that is that you will see a new position advertised for a Workforce Manager. The purpose of this role is to help streamline our scheduling and provide more efficiency for our managers and DSP's.  That job posting will be coming out soon - feel free to apply if you feel like you meet the qualifications!

Congratulations to Marleah McClain for being our Safety Star winner for the month of April. Marleah was out shoveling snow at the Sitka home ensuring the sidewalks were free from snow and ice. Did you know 25% of our accidents are slip and fall incidents? Marleah took it upon herself to grab the snow shovel and began removing snow. This is a critical move as we all know. Our business does not stop and when we walk or drive on the snow, it becomes ice and creates a slipping hazard. Great job Marleah! Submit your nominations via the QR code found in this newsletter.

You may start seeing this QR code around Black Hills Works. This is a quick way to nominate one of your fellow co-workers of a supported individual who demonstrated safe practices. This could be someone who shoveled snow off the sidewalk, put down ice melt, demonstrated a safe way to lift an object, cleans their mirrors and windows in the vehicle before using, etc. We want to recognize and honor those individuals who are amongst us every day. If you know someone who needs to be recognized and nominated as a Safety Star, take 60 seconds and scan the QR code. This will take you to 3 questions and that is it! Winners will be recognized monthly and awarded a YETI mug. I’m looking forward to seeing what safety stories start rolling in!

Be safe out there!