Permit No. 67 Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 the...
Transcript of Permit No. 67 Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 the...
It was a night of Inspiration, Recognition and Celebration!
Ramona Spotted Eagle held a variety of jobs including collating and housekeeping until her health de-
clined and her artistic talent was discovered. Studio Manager Carla Julius says Ramona blossomed after
taking a few basic technique classes, but it was clear she had talent from the start. “She’s a lady who
could look at an image and draw it upside down. That’s her level.”
Bettie Jo Bsharah works converting paper documents to electronic files at Black Hills Works. She has
some support with transportation and shopping, but lives independently in her own apartment. “Know-
ing that I could get up and go do a job just like anybody else – just knowing I have the same kind of
lifestyle as any able-bodied person does – that’s something to be proud of,” says Bettie.
Stefanie Krick is an up-and-comer in the area of advocating for herself and others with disabilities.
Because of her skills, she was chosen to attend the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference in
Washington D.C. where she joined other self-advocates from around the country in speaking to elected
officials about employment issues. Stefanie works at the Raider Cafe at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
James “JJ” Janis completed and self-published his book The Chair is Not Me, earlier this year. It took
two years of hard work and the assistance of Flutter Productions Artistic Director Heather Pickering, but
JJ’s poetry is now helping to change public perception of people with disabilities. “I guess that’s why I
did the book,” he says.
As we celebrate 60 years of being a part of the Rapid City community, we are inspired by the parents who decided life could be better for people with disabilities. Because of them, it most certainly is. Our four Outstanding Achievement Award winners are a testament to their vision. We are grateful to you, our community; your acceptance and generosity has made this possible. Through gift giving at the event you invested $50,000 to drive our future. But most importantly, we are proud that today, the people we support are our neighbors, friends, and part of our family. Cheers to the next 60 years!
She’s the best boss in the whole world!” exclaimed Heath-
er Kickery in praise of her employer, Debra Jensen of Black Hills
Bagels. “I have something to look forward to when I get out of bed
in the morning.”
Kickery joined the team at Black Hills Bagels a little over
four years ago, and hasn’t looked back. She takes great pride in
her duties: making flavored cream cheese, cooking scones in the
morning, and completing food preparation for sandwiches. Recent-
ly, she was asked to train a new staff member, “…training someone
else made me feel really happy, because Debra trusts me to do the
job well.” Kickery’s success is among numerous other examples
of local businesses partnering with Black Hills Works to create
employment matches for people in our community with diverse
abilities.
Jensen was quick to point out that people with disabilities
aren’t different than anyone else, and deserve every chance to
overcome any obstacle. “I have discovered that folks who have
disabilities are loyal, eager to learn, very consistent, and truly inter-
ested in making sure the company runs well. We all love having the
folks from Black Hills Works as part of our team.”
“I appreciate my co-workers because I get treated like
part of the group,” said Kickery. “Don’t be afraid to hire people
with diverse abilities. It may take them a bit longer to learn, but
they will get it and do a great job,” she implored of other Black
Hills business owners. “I thank Debra so, so much for giving me a
job that I love and the encouragement to better myself.”
Jensen exuberantly echoed Kickery’s support of hiring
people with diverse abilities by saying, “They have become like
family. Do it, do it, do it!”
Learn more about inclusion in your workforce at
www.blackhillsworks.org/business-support
Celebrating lives of purpose at Black Hills Works, and in our community Fall 2018 | www.blackhillsworks.org
the works}Do it, do it, do it! #InclusionWorksNational Disability Employment Awareness Month was celebrated in October, as people across the country championed employment for people with diverse abilities. Many local Black Hills businesses are at the forefront of this movement.
Heather Kickery working at Black Hills Bagels.
3650 Range RoadRapid City, South Dakota 57702
605/343-4550 www.blackhillsworks.org#BHWpurpose
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Ground breaking news about our“With Purpose” Campaign plus an inspiring letter from the daughter of one of our founder’s.Happy Holidays from all of us at Black Hills Works!
Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDRapid City, SDPermit No. 67
In preparation for our 60-year celebration, we made an effort to locate some of the founders of Black Hills Works in order to honor their vision and tenacity. To our surprise, we received the following letter from Roxanne Kibben, the daughter of Jim and Alice Kibben who started Rapid City’s first special education program in the basement of their own home:
I wish I could join you for your 60-year celebra-tion, but I will be hosting a birthday celebration of my own as my special needs child turns 18. I wanted to reach out and tell you what I remember of my family and the early days of what eventually would become Black Hills Works. My brilliant, college-educated mother, already wrestling with feelings of inadequacies because she married so late in life, had her first child at 37 and had troubled pregnancies, learned that my brother Win, then a year and half, had Downs syndrome. She was sure she was to blame, felt guilty, ashamed and devastated. My father, also disabled, never let that stop him. Blinded at 32 before he met my mother — and yes, they met on a blind date but that’s a story for another time — told her “Do not worry, Win will be our happiest child.” Once Mom came through her own emotional turmoil she vowed to be there for other mothers, to help parents realize the gift and blessing of a special child like Win. My parents refused to institution-alize him (as was typical at that time). They banded together with other parents to share what they felt, what they knew and what they could do. Now, over sixty years ago, I reflect back on their first major contribution -- the first school for these special kiddos in our basement. That was the precursor to the Black Hills Workshop. I remember coming home from school and Elma Kuster, the first teacher and mother of Teresa, was there at a low classroom table sitting in the little chairs along with three or four of the first students. They soon were able to move the classroom to an older unused elementary school building. Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Storhdal, the Johnny Laws and many others (I can’t recall them all by name) started the Black Hills Association for Retarded Children. I can still remember the smell of the mimeograph ink as we ran off the newsletters along with our massive envelope stuffing efforts in the associations’ first official space on West Boulevard in Rapid City. What barriers did Mom, Dad and the countless others encounter? Shame, stigma, too few resources and so little hope. Remember these children were not expected to live, often even to reach their teens, let alone adulthood, and certainly not outside of institutions. Black Hills Works is here today not just because of my parents, but all the hundreds and thousands of individuals whose lives have been blessed by children with special needs. In turn those family, friends, volunteers and professionals expand-ed the services, resources and knowledge into what we see today. I consider myself an extraordinarily blessed person, because Win taught me to love uncondition-ally, Mom and Dad taught me not to be stopped by despair, discrimination or discouragement. If a ser-vice that you need doesn’t exist, figure out what needs to happen to start one – one service, one group, one event, one club, association, school or non-profit. Build it for they not only will come, they will carry on. I, too, know the work it takes to serve those who are in need but am rich in fulfillment – because I know that I make a difference, and because I experience the joy and the job of being my son’s mother. Reach into your heart and find a way to make a difference today, this week, this year, this lifetime.
— Roxanne Kibben
How It All Began
The Kibben family — photo taken in the late 1950’s.
Assistive Technology Team Collaborates with South Dakota State University The goal is to improve the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities.
AgrAbility Grants are awarded to universities working jointly with
nonprofit disability organizations to provide education, assistance, and support
to farmers and agricultural workers with a disability. South Dakota State Uni-
versity received this grant and will be collaborating with the Black Hills Works
Assistive Technology team to provide individual consultative services. We can
now contribute to the success of the program by providing appropriate assis-
tive technology for work and daily living activities, employment in production
agriculture, and support for family caregivers.
People who’ve benefited from AgrAbility Grants include a dairy farm-
er with restricted mobility due to arthritis, a Christmas tree grower with a spinal
cord injury, a blueberry farmer who works from a wheelchair, a vegetable
producer with limited mobility, a farmer who uses a modified combine to com-
pensate for paraplegia, and many others. This grant will provide assistance
to disabled Native American farmers in South Dakota to overcome barriers to
continuing their chosen professions in
agriculture.
Tammy Murner, Black Hills Works Director of Innovation and Assistive
Technology, will be attending a national conference at Prairie Winds, as part
of SDSU’s AgrAbility panel to discuss innovative programs designed to advance individual capabilities and adapt new technologies to
disadvantaged farmers on the reservation. This AgrAbility grant was meant to expand its outreach to diverse populations including Native
Americans, African American farmers, Hispanic/Latino agricultural workers, and farmer veterans.
Our Assistive Technology team is excited to be a part of this initiative! With this collaboration through AgrAbility services and
assistive technology, what was seemingly impossible has become possible; what was out of reach has become achievable.
Many of you recently met Greg Solano, either through his Gala recognition last year or a letter of his life story this past July. He serves as an example of what it means to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. He is a proud employee, a friendly neighbor, an active member of his church, and a caring volunteer in his community.
Those who know Greg, also know that he is an avid collector of autographs. He states that, “anyone can be famous someday.” When he requested your autograph, our community did not disappoint.
Thank you for brightening Greg’s day and for inspiring our work. You are already famous in the eyes of those we serve. Your support enables our community to thrive.
“THANK YOU”
Make a gift to Black Hills Works today.$25 $50 $100 $150 $250 $500 $1,000 $5,000 $10,000 Other Amount $___________
Name(s) as should appear in recognition: ____________________________________________________________ I wish to remain anonymous.
Street address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have enclosed a check payable to Black Hills Works Foundation.
I wish to make my gift by credit card: Visa Mastercard
Credit card number: ____________________________________ Exp: ______ Signature: __________________________ Security Code: ______
Please return this form to Black Hills Works Foundation, 3650 Range Road, Box 2104, Rapid City, South Dakota 57709-2104.
Breaking GroundWith Purpose, the Campaign for Black Hills Works has reached
another milestone this fall. Because of your support, along with
funds received by the Community Development Block Grant
and South Dakota Housing, we broke ground on a new home
dedicated to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. This new
addition to our residential offerings ensures additional housing
options for families with loved ones recovering from traumatic
brain injury.
This progress has been made possible because of people like
YOU! With your help, we have now surpassed the 80% mark
towards our campaign goals. Your support of these efforts comes
at a time when funding continues to dwindle but the wait list for
affordable, accessible housing has not. There is more to be done,
and with your help, it will be possible!
If you would like to learn more about how you can help, go to
www.blackhillsworks.org/campaign.
AmazonSmile
Shon & Tori Anderson
Assurant
Douglas & Vicki Bailie
Darrel & Jacqueleen Baker
BankWest
Scott & Jody Barbour
Marilyn Bates
Thomas & Lisa Batteen
BH Services Inc.
Gary & Sonja Birkeland
Black Hills Community Bank
Black Hills Energy
Dr. James & Maggie Bloom
Joseph & Tammy Bodeson
Malcom & Cheryl Chapman
Mike & Anita Conley
Costello Porter Law Firm
Jay & Angela Crossland
Dakota Moose Association
Michael & Rebecca Deal
Denny Menholt Chevrolet
Evelyn Didier
Bob & Judy Domalewski
Doug & Shirley Donnelly
Miriam Dunmire
Emerald Home
Sterling & Vivian Greni
Nicole & Mike Haltiner
Helena Moore Trust
Janae Herman
Hilt Construction, Inc.
Michael & Cynthia Hilton
Mike & Cindy Holmes
Sarah J. Holz
Robert & Lynn Hotchkiss
International Furniture Direct
Britny Jenkins
Frank & Rosie Jett
Darlene Kaelin
Keller Williams Commercial
Real Estate
Ketel Thorstenson LLP
Roger & Janice Knutsen
& Family
Jennifer Kuyava
Howard D. Larsen
Charles & Marilyn Lindly
Jo Ann Lux
Richard & Pamela Magnuson
Mandan Moose Lodge #425
Marco Technologies
Velna G. Martin
Cindy Mayes
Midwest Marketing, LLC
Moose Lodge 1137, Chapter
1221
Eileen Muellenberg
Margie Munro
Tommy & Brianna Myers
Gary & Jean Nelson
Galen & Donna
Niederwerder
Janet Niehaus
Norma L. Washburn Trust
NWE Management Co.
Dale & Nancy Peterson
Lois Pletten
Lesli Pond
Marty & Tammie Quinn
Kat Riewe
Chuck & Sybil Rounds
Brad & Karri Saathoff
Sentinel Federal Credit Union
Grant & Andrea Serna
John & Vicki Serna
Larry & Linda Sietsema
South Dakota Arts Council
Margret Sovig
Dr. Willis & Patricia Sutliff
Ralph & Marcia Taylor
Mildene Turpin
United Furniture
US Bank
Wells Fargo Wealth
Management
West River Electric
Gregory & Nancy Whitcher
Tyler & Tara Wilcox
Dane Smith & Mia
Wintheiser
Paul & Theresa Witte
Women Of The Moose
#1221
Women of the Moose
Chapter 1224
In loving memory of Leanna BussellOrand, Ruth, & Jenny Liebelt
In loving memory of Richard DelgadoD. Richard & Rogene
Maxwell
In loving memory of Pamela LindquistDr. Robert & Judy Allen
Bob & Judy Antior
Ashley Bingham
Robert & Vicki Borders
David & Mary Boyer
Warren & Stefanie Braun
Harry & Cheryl Brenden;
Eric & Laura Brenden;
Travis Brenden & Tammy
Newcombe
Jean Marie Brewer
Don & Cherie Brown
Lawrence & Karen Bulman
Ingrid K. Burnett
Myrna Burnette
Peter & JoVayne Cappa
David & Karen Cappa
Anthony & Jillian Cappa
Daniel & Virginia Carreno &
Michael, Jessica & Emily
Margret CH Barney
Garienan Cowles
Coates Lear & Melani
Dawson-Lear
Nicholas Day
Stephanie R. Dean
Charlys Dice
Laura & Billy Donovan
Barbara & W. Stephen
Doshier
Greg & Lorys Eiesland
Marcia Elkins
L & M Ellis
Anthony & Helen Ellsworth
Scoville
Judy K. & Leo Erck
Deanne Farrar
Juliana Fletcher
Donald & Jean Frankenfeld
Terry & Barbara Fuller
Alissa Gardenswartz
Sara Gentry
John & Tracey Gerken
Richard & Susan Giesel
Hugh & Sallie Graham
Richard & Cecelia Green
Sandra Grout
Adventure Unlimited
Joan E. Harrison
Sharon & Mark Hasvold
Steve & Ann Hengen
Elle & Rollie Hill
James & Cheryl Hurley
Anna V & John C Jenkins
Warren & Arlean Jensen
Tony & Dulci Jensen
Jar Texas Properties, LLC
Robert & Michelle Julian
Robert E Kelley & June
Hermanson
Andrew & Barbara Knight
Leroy & Lauren Knoll
Gary & Helen Ladner
Gary & Kendra Larson
Van Lindquist
Adam & Stephanie Lindquist
Scoville
Mark & Gina Lindquist-Bailey
Joseph & LoAnn Lux
Maggie & Mark Marshall
John & Jean Mattson
Stephen Miller & Jennifer
May
Allyson McConville Bailey
Michael & Susan Messinger
Richard & Darlene Michel
Varret M Murray
Sheryl Nicolson
David & Beverly Page
Carol R Panerio
Donald & Jane Patnoe
Marluce Patterson
Gerald & Marlene Pearson
Robert & Victoria Pollock
Dennis Popp
Julie Raben
Gary & Dorothy Rasmusson
John & Jenny Rehorst
Colleen Ronning
Wayne & Dorothy Rosby
Jane Roseland
Kimberly C. Scoville
Mason & Jeannie Short
Dr. J. Geoffrey & Jacalyn
Slingsby
Douglas & Mary Sperlich
Craig & Patrice Steinman
Wes & Gladys Storm
Mr. & Mrs. James W. Swan
Shirley Trout
Robert & Stacie Tschetter
Lynn VonWald
Mara Vucurevich
Diana Vucurevich
Susan Wheeler
Sean & Jennifer White, Bob
Hughes & Wiley Hughes
Calvin & Lynne Willemssen
Dr. Roger & Diane Wilson
Richard & Kathy Wold
In loving memory of Stan LinkDiane Flahaven Neu
In honor of Imogene MoorePatricia Johnson
In honor of Jim NelsonDoug & Sue Nelson
In loving memory of
E Theodore & Blanche
SteinbackJohn & Anita Weikel
In honor of Andrew Wilson
Patricia J. Petit
thanks The following individuals made a gift to Black Hills Works from August 2018-October 2018. Add your name to the list. Please make a gift today.}