Author: Tamie Hopp

The most recent edition of The Works newsletter is now available! In this edition of The Works, you will meet Dean Baker, Mindy Elliott, and Dan Raba, just three of our 65 faces for 65 years! Your generosity means that Dean, Mindy, Dan, and all their friends lead very full lives! Because of you, they are thriving! You will also read about the Larson family’s gift of music, Black Hills Brain Health’s new look, and more! Thank YOU for your impact. Thank YOU for changing lives! 

Mike S. is an affable gentleman in his seventies with a warm, ready smile and obvious sense of humor whose eyes light up behind his brown-rimmed glasses. His sister Karen remembers that he was a very happy baby and little boy. She says even back then everyone noticed his big smile.

Mike grew up in the Pierre area in the 1950s, first on a farm where he was his big sister’s sidekick, and then in town. He didn’t talk much, but he loved playing with other kids and riding his bike. In old black and white photos, he and his sister ride on their tricycles, play with their toy wagon, and visit the farm animals. Mike’s early experiences outside of family life were difficult, though. His first teacher in a one-room schoolhouse spanked and humiliated him in class when he couldn’t complete his lessons. Even some of his own relatives were unkind toward Mike because of his learning differences.

Fortunately, Mike’s parents were very strong advocates for him and knew he, and those like him, deserved respect and opportunities just like anyone else. His father withdrew him from that school and was instrumental in ensuring special education classes were then offered for Mike and other children in the Pierre area. His dad also worked with the governor to create the first charter in South Dakota for The ARC, a national organization that advocates for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1968, when Mike turned 19, he joined Black Hills Works, still a young organization at that time, leaving home to move to Rapid City. In his 54 years at BHW, he has learned many skills and lived independently in several different apartment complexes in town. Staff say Mike is “hard working, loyal, and ambitious.” Mike worked in custodial services at the Federal Building and Ellsworth AFB for several decades, where the high quality of his work led to special projects.

Mike has always been a big football and baseball fan, especially of the Steelers. He watches games frequently and follows the team stats in the newspaper. Mike also loves to bowl and was very active in Special Olympics until recently. Now that he’s older, he prefers to play bowling videogames on his iPad. He also loves to fish. Among Mike’s many travels around the United States, both with his family, with tour groups, and with Black Hills Works, he has gone deep sea fishing in Florida, visited Hawaii and Alaska, gone to NFL games (including a Super Bowl), and more.

Mike’s family ties remain strong. He often visited his parents in Pierre by bus and traveled with them to see other relatives. Although his parents have passed away, Mike keeps in close touch with his sister Karen, who lives in Pittsburgh, and his niece. He enjoys their frequent videochats and annual visits.

Today, Mike is retired and lives in a sunny, open apartment in west Rapid. He likes the convenient location because he can walk to restaurants or the gas station for treats and even to the hair salon when he needs a trim. He loves grilling steak on the shared apartment patio with his fellow apartment mates.

Karen, Mike’s sister, says, “I have so much respect for Mike and his accomplishments and am so proud of the way he overcame so much adversity over the years to make a good life for himself. I often wonder what would have become of him if our dad hadn’t had the persistence to assure that Mike would be given the opportunity to live a normal, productive life.”

We at Black Hills Works are also proud of Mike and thankful for his parents’ pioneering advocacy in the 1950s and 1960s. We are honored to play a role in Mike’s ongoing journey!

The most recent edition of The Works newsletter is now available! In this edition, you will read about your impact! You will read about the exciting plans to bring permanent bocce ball courts to Rapid City, thanks to the Wellmark Foundation, a strong partnership between Black Hills Works’ the Storm and Rapid City Flame teams, and tremendous community support for Special Olympics. You see what your gifts made possible for Codie, who found a job he loves, and how our central kitchen is serving up nutritious meals and saving staff time, thanks to YOU . . . and more. You’ve changed lives in 2022! Thank YOU! 

August is National Make-A-Will month, and while this may seem an odd thing to celebrate, it does serve an important purpose. According to Caring.com, 1 in 3 (67%) of all Americans don’t have a will or living will, yet most people agree that estate planning is important. It’s easy to see why people might procrastinate on something most of us agree is important. Planning for a time when you are not here can be difficult and emotional, but being proactive is one of the best gifts you can give your loved ones.

Freewill offers three reasons why making your will is so important:

1. A will is an important legal document. It spells out your intentions with regard to your property, loved ones, and charitable goals.

As a start, make a list of everyone you want to provide for upon your passing, including children, grandchildren, pets, and charities.  Consider who you would want to care for your children, serve as guardian for any family members with disabilities, take in your pets, and administer your will.

Consult with your trusted legal and tax advisors to explore any tax consequences (for better or worse) and have conversations with loved ones, so they are aware of your intentions.

2. A will provides peace of mind to you and your family.

Talking about death is never easy, but leaving decisions to your family at a time they are mourning is a burden and can lead to conflict. Making a will preserves your intentions and makes a difficult time easier for those you love.

3. A will lets you create a legacy!

Like all your other directives, you can provide for a charity(ies) in your will, subject to your terms. For example, you can provide for your family first, with charities benefitting from any residuary, or you can leave a specific percentage of your estate to charity (sample bequest language is offered below). Your legal or tax advisor can help to ensure your intentions are carried out and let you know about any important tax benefits. If you already have a will and would like to amend it in any way, usually a simple “codicil” can be attached. Your attorney can assist you with this. And, be sure to communicate your decision to your selected charity(ies). At Black Hills Works, we love to recognize those who have made this heartfelt decision by inclusion in our Evergreen Society!

For more information, check out the Black Hills Works Foundation’s Legacy Giving guide. This guide includes helpful planning guidance on how to provide safety for adults with disabilities during their lifetime and upon your passing, along with several charitable giving strategies. If you would like us to mail you this free guide, or have questions about our Evergreen Society, please contact Tamie at [email protected] or call 605-718-6272.

There’s no better time than National Make-A-Will month to get started! You will be giving yourself and your family the priceless gift of peace of mind.

Sample Will Bequest Language

Specific Bequest: I give, devise, and bequeath ___ (insert dollar amount or item of property to be donated or percentage of estate) to the Black Hills Works Foundation, or its successor organization, a nonprofit corporation located at 514 Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City, SD 57701, Federal Tax ID #46-0363653, to be used in support of the organization’s mission on behalf of people with disabilities.

Residuary Bequest: I give, devise, and bequeath ___ (insert % amount) of all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to the Black Hills Works Foundation, or its successor organization, a nonprofit corporation located at 514 Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City, SD 57701, Federal Tax ID #46-0363653, to be used in support of the organization’s mission on behalf of people with disabilities…
Restricted Gift (Specific or Residuary) Bequest: I give, devise, and bequeath ___ (insert dollar amount, item of property, or % of residue) to the Black Hills Works Foundation, or its successor organization, a nonprofit corporation located at 514 Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City, SD 57701, Federal Tax ID #46-0363653, to be used exclusively [insert restricted use language here, such as specific program or impact area].

Contingency Gift (takes effect only if a primary intention can’t be met): If (name of beneficiary) does not survive me or shall die during the administration of my estate, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to the Black Hills Works Foundation, or its successor organization, a nonprofit corporation located at 514 Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City, SD 57701, Federal Tax ID #46-0363653, all of the rest, residue, and the remainder of my estate to be used in support of the organization’s mission on behalf of people with disabilities.

The most recent edition of The Works is now available! Learn about the lives that YOU have impacted as donors and volunteers. You’ll meet some four legged volunteers (and their humans) who are just “paw-some”; learn about our various home settings from full-care homes to shared living; and read about how community employers enhance their businesses while also changing lives when employing people with disabilities. Thank YOU for changing lives! 

The most recent edition of The Works is now available! Learn about the lives that YOU have impacted as donors and volunteers. You will be introduced to Bob Lew, the 2022 Suzie Cappa Art Center’s Artist of the Year, who creates beautiful art because of YOU!  You will also learn how volunteering can change a life, and how the new transportation coordination software we’re using is connecting people to their fulfilling lives.  Thank YOU for changing lives! 

The most recent edition of The Works is now available! Learn about the lives that YOU have impacted as donors and volunteers. You will read that, because of YOU, Susan, who has been blind since age 14, received special new glasses that help her read books and recognize people.  You will also “meet” the amazing crew that work at Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse, read about EchoWorks’ 2021 Sustainability Award, and much more! Thank YOU for changing lives! 

[December 2020] Access to technology is not a luxury, especially for people with disabilities. This is especially true now, due to COVID-19, as the people we support are not as readily able to see their families, connect with friends, or enjoy classes like art, music and dance.

Thanks to two grants, one from the South Dakota Council on Developmental Disabilities (DD Council) and the other from Black Hills by Choice Giving Circle, Black Hills Works is now better positioned to help people make these virtual connections. Both organizations offered grants for the purchase of tablets.

The DD Council grant will result in 30 tablets – a mix of iPad Air and Amazon Fire HD – to be placed in homes to allow for safe and meaningful connections with family and friends, especially now, while also providing access to virtual art, dance and music therapy lessons. The Black Hills by Choice grant will provide for the purchase of 8 iPad Air tablets to be used for a lending library, to be borrowed by individuals or homes as needs arise.

“The impact of technology, even in normal times, cannot be overstated,” said Tammy Murner, Director of Innovation & Assistive Technology. “We support people who, because of technology, are creating art, writing books, cooking meals, working, and living independently. These gifts of tablets – to go into the home and to create a lending library – will literally open up a whole new world for so many more people. The impact is enormous.”

Shad Bebout, a person supported by Black Hills Works, has embraced technology, using his tablet to turn on lights, start a slow cooker, adjust blinds, use the thermostat, and communicate. He is a valued employee at Caramel Creations, a job that has allowed him the resources needed to invest in technology. The new tablets for our homes and lending library will make this possible for others, many of whom do not have the resources.

“Shad is a great self-advocate,” said Tammy. “He researches new applications and proves to us all what is possible. Thanks to the DD Council and Black Hills by Choice, other lives will be transformed in ways we can’t yet imagine.”

[May 12, 2021] “I love being around people and having chats while we are working,” said Chloe Gross, a Project Skills participant and intern in the Meals on Wheels kitchen.

This is Chloe’s third internship. She works 10 hours every week for Meals on Wheels, one two Project Skills teens helping to keep the kitchen, cooler and dishes sanitized. She also helps package meals.

Project Skills is a program funded by South Dakota’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to help students with disabilities, up to age 21, gain important on-the-job training and skills development, while employers enjoy dedicated interns to help with their day-to-day needs. The Rapid City School District works closely with Black Hills Works’ employment specialists to identify partner employers and to provide participating teens with the supports they need to be successful.

“The school district, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Black Hills Works are a collaborative team that have one goal in mind: Helping students with disabilities find a paid work experience in the community by finding their strengths, building their confidence and experience, and providing them the support needed to find permanent employment,” said Krista Inman, Special Education Program Specialist for the Rapid City Area Schools. “This partnership is an integral piece for our students to build a relationship with their community.”

For Meals on Wheels, getting involved with Project Skills helped fill a need in their kitchen.
“There are over 950 meals prepared out of this kitchen every weekday, and every day there are special requests from individuals or locations regarding the meals they are preparing,” said Jodi Litz, Development Specialist for Meals on Wheels. “It can be very stressful, but the kitchen staff never show it. This is a great team and Chloe fits right in. We’re thrilled to have this collaborative program!”
Cara Goodell, who manages the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Rapid City, agrees.

“This is our first experience with Project Sills and it has been very positive,” she said. “Black Hills Works and the school district has offered so much support. Chloe and Lori, our other student, have been so helpful. We are hoping they can stay on throughout the summer.”

When not working at Meals on Wheels, Chloe values her independence and is taking classes to further develop her life and social skills. Work at Meals on Wheels, however, is the highlight of each day. She knows that the work she does is helping seniors and others who rely on the meals provided Meals on Wheels. She also really enjoys her co-workers.

“They are like a family to me.”