DAKOTA SPIRIT
CEO Letter
Dennis Hoffman | President & CEO
As the CEO of Volunteers of America, Dakotas, how could I not be excited about an upcoming holiday that emphasizes giving? This time of year is special, with fellowship and giving being two of the primary topics during the holiday season. But what if I told you that you could access that feeling of accomplishment and overall goodness for up to 7 days a week?   
 
It’s called a job with our Ministry of Service! 
 
Working for Volunteers of America, Dakotas can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding in many ways - from the feeling of accomplishment to knowing that you are giving back to the community that you call home. As our community grows, so do the needs, and with those growing demands comes a need to hire new and additional staff.  
 
Career opportunities available at Volunteers of America, Dakotas are listed on our website. And, I urge you to look over and share this link with anyone that may be called to serve others through our organization.
 
As we transition to 2024 and look back at the last few months in this edition of our newsletter, you’ll note a lot of exciting news involving Volunteers of America, Dakotas. We are highlighting many features … including a new look website, some recent additions to our GreaterGoods program, and a report on the recent 1896 Society Celebration Event.  
 
I’m enthused to roll into 2024, and we will continue to meet the needs for our growing community!

With gratitude,

 
Dennis
Spreading Holiday Cheer: Spirit Tree is Back!
Development | Spirit Tree 
As the holiday season approaches, Volunteers of America, Dakotas is excited to announce the return of our beloved Spirit Tree program. This heartwarming tradition has been bringing joy to individuals in our programs for years, and we can't wait to make this holiday season even brighter.  

What is Spirit Tree?  

Spirit Tree is a special initiative that embodies the true spirit of giving. It's a way for our community to come together and provide Christmas gifts to individuals and families in our programs who may be facing challenges during the holiday season. These thoughtful gifts bring smiles, warmth, and a sense of belonging to those we serve.  

How It Works:  

Pick a Tag: Gift tags with holiday wishes from individuals in our programs are available at various locations in Sioux Falls  

  • All 7 Sioux Falls Lewis Drug locations  
  • Washington Pavilion  
  • The Empire Mall  

Shop with Heart: Choose a tag, purchase the requested gift, and return it, unwrapped, to the designated location.  

Spread Joy: Your generosity ensures that those in need experience the magic of the holiday season.  

Ways to Get Involved:  

Pick Up a Tag: Visit one of our designated locations in Sioux Falls and select a gift tag to fulfill someone's holiday wish.  

Spread the Word: Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to participate. Share our Spirit Tree program on social media and inspire others to make a difference.  

Donate Online: If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so on our website. Your donation will go toward purchasing gifts for those in need.  When making a donation leave the comment "Spirit Tree" in the comments section.
The Gift of Giving:  
Spirit Tree is more than just a program; it's a way to share the joy of the season with our community members who need it most. Your participation, whether through picking up a tag or spreading the word, makes a tremendous impact on the lives of those we serve. It's a beautiful reminder that the spirit of giving is alive and well in our community.  

Important Dates:  
Tag Distribution: 11/14/23  
Gift Return Deadline: 12/18/23  

Lindsey Madsen | 605-444-6317 | l.madsen@voa-dakota.org
Celebrating Our 1896 Society Members
and 'Before Its Time' Award Recipient 
A Foundation for Future Generations | The 1896 society Event
A look to the future, and a perspective on the founding of Volunteers of America took center stage during the annual 1896 Society event hosted by Volunteers of America, Dakotas to honor the people who have backed the Volunteers of America, Dakotas Foundation with financial commitments. 

The program focused on a few different themes, which included a dedication to Marian Sullivan, a former 1896 Society member and Sioux Falls business owner, the awarding of the 1896 “Before Its Time” honor to Shireen Ranschau. a review of this year’s edition of Camp POSTCARD, and a look at the written history of the start of Volunteers of America put together by Tom Gage. 

Part of Sullivan’s family was in attendance during the event and got to hear how Marian supported local efforts and business leaders while also working to educate the public about Volunteers of America, Dakotas. Dennis Hoffman, President and CEO of Volunteers of America, Dakotas, said Sullivan made a true difference in the Sioux Empire.  

“Marian is a remarkable soul whose impact will be recognized in future generations. She touched our lives and our community with her kindness, wit, generosity, and wisdom,” said Hoffman.  

Sullivan’s spirit was compared favorably to honoree Shireen Ranschau, who used to be the Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission and has focused on helping shelter the more vulnerable residents in the area. Ranschau was saluted for her more than 40 years of work to help those in need in the community.  

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum spoke in support of Camp POSTCARD, which serves youth who are facing challenging circumstances and benefits both youth and the police force by building positive, trusting relationships. He noted how the camp has the potential to impact generations by changing the life of area youths.

Gage’s history of the start of Volunteers of America was also noted during the program, where Gage said he put together the history to have a permanent record why this organization was started and how the foundations of today’s Volunteers of America programs were started during the founding in 1896. 
 
To learn more about the Volunteers of America, Dakotas Foundation and the 1896 Society, click below
Drager Receives Honor for CHOICES Work 
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities | CHOICES
A Volunteers of America, Dakotas employee for the CHOICES program is being saluted for her efforts behind the scenes for the program. 
 
Direct Support Professional Amber Drager received the Excellence in Service award given during the Simply the Best statewide conference recently. The conference, which was held for Community Service Providers (or CSPs), selects one winner for the award, and Drager was nominated for plenty of reasons, notes Volunteers of America, Dakotas' Director of Residential Services Tara Camp. 

“Amber has 18 years of experience and extensive knowledge of the program and the people we support. She was recently promoted to Lead DSP at one of our day service locations. She has made numerous changes and enhancements to our day program, making the time spent more productive and meaningful for those who attend. People are drawn to her positive energy and attitude. She is kind and caring but also helps hold people accountable to their goals. Individuals truly enjoy spending time with her because she is engaging, and she knows how to make even the most boring and mundane daily tasks more fun. Amber has a remarkable ability to juggle multiple things at once, which has made her a natural in her new role as Lead DSP. We are so thankful to have her as part of the Volunteers of America, Dakotas team,” said Camp.  

Drager was honored during the conference in mid-October.  
Exciting News: Our New Website Is Here!
Marketing | Website
We're thrilled to introduce our revamped website, designed with you in mind. Here's what you can expect: 
  1. User-Friendly Design: Easy navigation and a modern layout make finding information a breeze. 
  2. Enhanced Accessibility: Our commitment to inclusivity ensures everyone can access our content. 
  3. Fresh Content: Stay updated with the latest news, stories, and impactful videos. 
  4. Simplified Donations: Making a difference is just a few clicks away. 
  5. Mobile-Friendly: Access our site anytime, anywhere, from any device. 

Why It Matters: Our website is your gateway to our mission. It's where stories of hope are shared, information is found, and connections are made. By improving your online experience, we aim to serve our community better. 

Get Involved: Explore our new website at www.voa-dakotas.org and discover how you can be part of our mission. 

Stay Connected: Subscribe to our newsletter on the website and follow us on social media for the latest updates. 

Thank you for your continued support. We're excited to connect with you better through our new website
Growing GreaterGoods
Children, Youth, and Families | GreaterGoods
Exciting changes are happening at GreaterGoods, and we're thrilled to share the news with you! Our recent warehouse expansion is more than just added space; it's a leap forward in our commitment to make a positive impact on our community.  

Volunteers of America, Dakotas GreaterGoods has grown exponentially! In Summer 2023, we began work on expanding our physical space to accommodate the growing needs of our nonprofit partners. The expansion, completed in the Fall 2023, has enhanced our ability to serve our members and to amplify the positive change we bring to the community. We've had the privilege of serving nearly 5,000 people and partnering with nearly 200 nonprofits, churches, and schools in South Dakota. By distributing items like household appliances, furniture, and school supplies, we are making a significant impact. In our first year, we distributed approximately $2.25 million worth of items, saving our members an estimated $2.0 million!  

Cody Carstensen, GreaterGoods Operations Manager, highlights the positive shift, "The expansion has allowed us to create an elevated member experience. The facility is more spacious and organized, allowing members to browse and select items in a comfortable and efficient manner, furthering our commitment to providing quality resources for those in need."  

GreaterGoods volunteers are noticing the positive change too!   

One of those volunteers, Dan Staebell with Allstate, recently explained why he and his co-workers got involved, saying this was a great way to lend a hand and work closer together.  

“There are months where we have 8 to 10 people, there are months where we have two to three people. It really just depends on how many people are able to make that time. [What] we have found to be successful is to really establish a reoccurring date and time. That gets everyone there so we can kind of group up. The other benefit to us, beyond the obvious support that we are giving the program, is that our entire organization now is all a work-at-home entity, and so...we actually get to see each other a bit too, and it’s not just over Zoom calls.... So it’s a benefit for us as well to be able to see people in person,” said Staebell.  Staebell says the benefits of volunteering go much further than just fellowship.  

“I’m a believer that the [GreaterGoods] model is just critical for...supporting the various nonprofits. I know money is tight everywhere, and when you see that you are offering something for pennies on the dollar in GreaterGoods, you know that these nonprofits, schools, churches, and those other social groups don’t have any money to spend, it’s just so satisfying that we know that we can help save some money that’s going to goods and services,” said Staebell.  

Staebell’s advice for volunteers is to wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to move around a little bit. He says you won’t pick up items that are too heavy, but you will move some light objects around during the volunteer shift.  

The GreaterGoods team is delighted to bring you an enhanced and more efficient space, allowing us to serve you better and contribute to the wellbeing of our community. Your continued support and engagement make these positive changes possible.  
From post-turkey naps to a day of extraordinary love
and giving with #GivingTuesday
Development | Giving Tuesday
At Volunteers of America, Dakotas, our mission is clear: we area called by the Gospel to guide people to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Through the GreaterGoods program, we're accomplishing just that. We've had the privilege of serving nearly 5,000 people and partnering with nearly 200 nonprofits, churches, and schools across the region. With the generous donations of new items like household appliances, furniture, and school supplies, we're making a significant impact. In our first year, we distributed more than $2.25 million in product, saving our members an estimated $2.0 million! 

We're honored to announce the generous support of a donor who is offering a $25,000 match for your contributions. Your gift will have double the impact, making it possible for us to raise $50,000 to support the GreaterGoods program. This equates to nearly $300,000 worth of investment into our community.  

Your support means the world to us, but it means even more to the people we serve. Your gift will not only prevent essential items from ending up in landfills, but will also provide a helping hand to individuals and families who need it the most. 

Join us on this #GivingTuesday to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of many. We invite you to be part of this incredible mission by donating here. 

In the spirit of this giving season, we appreciate your support, kindness, and commitment to our mission.
Community Learning Centers
Children, Youth, and Families | Out-of-School Time
A new addition to most Sioux Falls elementary schools is drawing plenty of interest from Sioux Empire families during the school year.
  
The additions are being referred to as Community Learning Centers and they offer students an environment where students can hang out after school and work on homework, fitness, and even life lessons says Kimberly LaPlante who is the Connections Coordinator for Terry Redlin Elementary. Connections Coordinators are a new role at Volunteers of America, Dakotas. They are Volunteers of America, Dakotas employees who work full-time in their assigned elementary school, connecting the school to the out-of-school time program. 

“Well, really the model is called Community Learning Center, really taking the schools and making them a center in each of the elementary school communities or neighborhoods,” said LaPlante. She notes that students who attend are also given a custom plan to work on while participating. 
 
“So, for instance, if a student has a behavior plan or an educational plan, we would make sure that what we are doing out of school is what they are doing in school. So, there is a consistency for each student.  

The Community Learning Centers are also a resource for local families says Baily York, who is the Connections Coordinator at Hawthorne Elementary.  

“At Terry Redlin, one of the things we are working on particularly with an organization and a non-profit called Thrive, and they do a lot of initiating work around food scarcity, and they are looking at putting a food bank right at our school. So those kinds of resources where people can go, we have a medical clinic at our school where people can get general care. So, we are building on what’s already there and creating this community asset for neighborhoods,” said LaPlante.  

Community Learning Centers are set up at every Sioux Falls based elementary school except one. If you are interested in learning more about the CLC in your area, please contact your local school or visit the Sioux Falls School District’s website for more information.  
Our volunteers make a difference in the lives of individuals and families served by Volunteers of America, Dakotas. We couldn’t do what we do without the time, talents, and skills of our volunteers.
To Donate or Volunteer please reference the forms above.
Are you a Thrivent member? Don't forget that you can elect your CHOICE dollars to a nonprofit of your choosing. Volunteers of America, Dakotas would be grateful for your designation. You can do so by logging into your Thrivent account and following the steps under "My Thrivent Choice."
605-334-1414