Dear Friends of VOA Dakotas,

As we embrace this season of giving and reflection, I am reminded of the incredible impact we’ve made together over the past year. Your generosity, dedication, and support continue to uplift children, adults, and families through our ministry of service.

On November 14th, we celebrated the 1896 Society event, where we honored our shared commitment to building a foundation for future generations. A highlight of the evening was recognizing John Hart as this year’s 1896 Award recipient for his exceptional career at VOA Dakotas.

VOA Dakotas - GreaterGoods warehouse expansion is making fine progress, thanks to your continued support. This project will enhance our ability to serve the community more effectively, ensuring resources reach those who need them most.

Looking ahead to spring, we’re excited to host a free leadership event, designed to inspire and empower individuals committed to making a difference. We would love for you to join us; registration information is below.

Your unwavering commitment to our mission is truly inspiring. As we continue to grow alongside our community, so do the opportunities to make a difference. We invite you to visit our website to explore career opportunities and share them with others who may feel called to serve through our organization.

Thank you for being a part of our story. Together, we are creating a brighter future, one life at a time.

VOA Dakotas is here to help guide children and their families with trauma-focused treatment — designed for children and adolescents ages 4-17, and their families, who have been impacted by difficult and confusing events.

What is trauma? Trauma is complex and deeply personal. The difficult experiences youth face can leave lasting impacts, but how they process and respond to those events can vary widely.

Trauma is not defined by a single event or reaction—what may be overwhelming for one individual might look entirely different for another. 

Traumatic events can include: parent separation or divorce, death of someone close, abuse or neglect of any kind, witness of violence, family substance abuse or mental illness, medical challenges, grief, bullying, disasters and more.

These experiences can affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being in different and unique ways. 

In a child, trauma can look like:

Behavior changes including temper tantrums, meltdowns, crying, and difficulty separating from trusted adults. Can also include regression including bed wetting, loss of self-help skills, learning difficulties, and changes in personality or temperament.

Our team uses evidence-based methods to provide personalized care, helping each youth explore coping mechanisms, build resilience, and move toward healing. We also incorporate strategies that promote healthy communication, emotional regulation, and positive self-identity.

VOA Dakotas is here to help guide children and their families with trauma-focused treatment.

VOA Dakotas held its annual 1896 Society Celebration on November 14th, 2024. Guests gathered for an evening of gratitude and celebration, honoring the incredible generosity and vision of those who support VOA Dakotas. Together, we celebrated the legacy of Ballington and Maud Booth, whose forward-thinking spirit inspires us to build a foundation for future generations.

At this year’s event, we were thrilled to present the Before Its Time Award to John Hart in recognition of his remarkable contributions. Over his years with VOA Dakotas, John made a profound impact on the organization. His leadership in the construction of the Axis180 facility has been life-changing for those it serves. Since opening in 2020, Axis180 has provided housing and support to 244 young people, helping them achieve independence.

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate 1896 Society members, whose commitment to helping people is inspiring. 1896 Society members, thank you for being part of this dedicated community. Together, we are creating meaningful change and building a brighter future for generations to come.

CTA: To learn more about the 1896 Society, click the button below.

Exciting changes are happening at GreaterGoods, and we're thrilled to share the news with you! Our current warehouse expansion is more than just added space; it's a leap forward in our commitment to strengthen nonprofits, schools, and churches in our community!

Volunteers of America, Dakotas GreaterGoods is growing, again! In fall 2024, we began work on expanding our physical space to accommodate the growing needs of our nonprofit partners. The expansion is on target to be completed in early 2025. 

We've had the privilege of partnering with nearly 340 nonprofits, churches, and schools in South Dakota and surrounding states. By distributing items like household appliances, furniture, and school supplies, we are making a significant impact. Over the course of FY24, we more than doubled the number of items we distribute each month - growing the savings realized by our member organizations. 

Sarah Hanson, Managing Director, shares in the excitement, "This is the second expansion for us in a short period because of the huge, unexpected growth we've experienced. We've essentially doubled our business over the last year - we're serving twice as many nonprofits as we expected, distributing twice as many items, and collecting close to 2.5 times the admin fees that we were this time last year."

Volunteers of America, Dakotas (VOAD) is hosting a FREE leadership event!

This event, "Navigating the Leadership Landscape: Prioritizing for Maximum Impact," will be led by renowned leadership expert, Dr. Chris Mullen.

At VOAD, our mission is to guide people toward healthy, fulfilling lives. This event aligns with that goal by equipping leaders with the tools they need to create lasting, positive change.

Event Details

April 30, 2024

8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Sioux Falls Convention Center

1201 West Ave, Sioux Falls

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Dr. Mullen and gain insights that can transform your leadership approach.