Dear Volunteers of America, Dakotas community,

Welcome to the vibrant and lively season of Spring! Can you feel the excitement in the air? It's absolutely buzzing with potential and opportunity! Picture it: trees bursting into colorful blooms, birds chirping melodiously, and everyone bustling about, tending to their gardens and lawns with gusto! 

Our incredible team at VOA Dakotas has been in the thick of it all, and we have some amazing stories to share with you in this issue. From our recent Rise and Shine Benefit Breakfast to a heartfelt salute to our dedicated volunteers, plus an electrifying CHOICES talent show and much more, it’s all here for you to explore.

Let’s also take a moment to recognize something truly important: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a time for us to come together, reach out, and support one another. We're collaborating with state and mental health officials to encourage you to check in on someone you care about this month. While May is a special time to focus on mental health, it’s important to remember that mental health matters every day of the year.

Life's journey can sometimes throw us curveballs that knock us off course. We know that here in the Midwest, asking for help isn't always easy. We’re here to remind you that it's okay to talk about your struggles. At Volunteers of America, Dakotas, it is our mission to guide people to live healthy and fulfilling lives. We fulfill our mission by:

• Guiding people with behavioral health needs
• Uplifting children, youth, and families
• Supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Strengthening those struggling with homelessness.

Please remember, we’re here for you if you need us.

Let's embrace Spring with open arms and a whole lot of encouragement and support. While you're at it, why not dive into this issue of our newsletter and soak up all the goodness it has to offer? Enjoy every moment! 

Dennis G Hoffman

Familiar themes about the importance of combining personal faith with compassionate acts of service to others were outlined during the 2024 edition of the Rise and Shine Benefit Breakfast recently.

Speakers including Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, Police Chief Jon Thum, and VOA Dakotas Executives, Dennis Hoffman, DeVonte Garcia, and Mallie Kludt offered up prayers and well-wishes while also focusing on the importance and success of the programs that were continued over the past year and what that means for the Sioux Empire community as a whole.

During the breakfast we shared testimonials from individuals impacted by our New Start and Camp Postcard programs. These personal stories shared the struggles and the progress that was made by some of the participants in each program.

We extend a special thanks to our event supporters from the community whose generosity and commitment have made these programs and our ministry of service possible. Your support ensures that we can continue our mission of serving those in need and fostering positive change in the Sioux Empire. Click below to view the videos and additional pictures from the event.

At the recent Volunteers of America (VOA) National Conference, the inspiring legacy of Pastor Al Peratt was celebrated with the prestigious Soul Repair Award. This accolade recognizes Pastor Al’s extraordinary contributions to supporting returning citizens and individuals in recovery throughout the Dakotas.

Pastor Al Peratt's journey is a testament to the power of transformation and resilience. Notably, he became the first formerly incarcerated individual to serve as a chaplain in the very prison where he had once been an inmate. His dedication extended beyond the prison walls, as he also led a Bible study group at the local county jail and founded a unique "biker church" aimed at supporting recently released individuals struggling with substance use disorder.

Pastor Al's remarkable efforts did not go unnoticed at the highest levels. He was one of the nine individuals to receive a presidential pardon from President Barack Obama, a testament to his profound impact and commitment to change.

VOA honors Pastor Al Peratt’s enduring legacy of second chances, grace, and forgiveness. Accepting the award on his behalf was Mallie Kludt, Managing Director of Organizational Health, who spoke of his relentless dedication and the transformative power of his ministry.

The Soul Repair Award serves as a reminder of Pastor Al's unwavering mission to provide hope and support to those most in need, inspiring countless others to follow in his footsteps.

Participants in Volunteers of America, Dakotas- CHOICES program recently took center stage, showing off their abilities in a talent show.  

The talent show is a win-win situation for everyone involved.  “This was a great opportunity for our participants to gather, build a sense of community, and have some fun. The show ran for a couple of hours where various talents were highlighted. The talents range from karaoke singing to card tricks, magic tricks, playing a musical instrument and more. It was a good time for our participants. The perfect time to gather, show off and build a sense of community,” said Brian Mulder, Managing Director of Support Services for Volunteers of America, Dakotas.  

Mulder notes that overall, the talent show also serves as a way for the CHOICES participants to develop and grow in a few different and important ways.  

“Events like this build confidence and that is important. They are also an opportunity to gather and be involved. It's an opportunity to build a sense of community with one another. Participants are also just so supportive of each other; they are not judgmental of other individuals who want to participate. Participants really support one another to get up and kind of take that risk, no matter the talent level, they just encourage each other through the process. This is a social skill we should all practice,” said Mulder.   

The CHOICES program focuses on residential services, independent living training, educational services and therapeutic and psychiatric services which covers individuals, groups, and families. 

For four decades, John Hart has embodied the calling to help others achieve their full potential. John has worn many hats and supervised numerous areas that contributed to the success of the organization and our programs. John has had an indelible impact on countless individuals and on Volunteers of America, Dakotas in a way that is immeasurable.  

John will be retiring June 30, 2024. As we bid farewell to this exceptional colleague, let us reflect on his remarkable journey.  

John began his tenure here in 1984 as a Youth Service Program Specialist for Threshold. From that time, John was commended for his initiative, teamwork, and enthusiasm. He was praised for his commitment and dedication to the organization and the extra effort he put into his work. In 1986, John became the Associate Director of Threshold. His commitment to those he served was without question and he consistently exhibited cooperation and a willingness to help others achieve their goals.  

In 1989, John became the Director of Operations. In this role, John set the pace for excellence and was admired for his diligence. In the succeeding 10 years, John helped see the organization with its merger to Turning Point and subsequently Volunteers of America, Dakotas. John took on roles in marketing and development, human resources, and as a project director.  

In 2002, John was named Chief Operating Officer and maintained a reputation as an excellent resource and leader in human resources and facility management. In 2009, John took on the title of Vice President of Strategic Development. He was excellent at analyzing the next steps and developing the framework needed for the organization and for programs to move forward. John embraces change and has embraced the many evolutions of his role and the organization in an exceedingly positive manner.  

As a Managing Director for the past 10 years, John has overseen Veteran Services, Housing, Facilities and Maintenance, Childcare, Justice Services, Thrift Store, and EAP. Under John’s leadership and guidance, we have made great strides to rejuvenate our facilities, especially homes for individuals we serve with disabilities. Most recently, this has included the addition of two new accessible homes for our participants. The quality he has achieved and maintained in the upkeep of all 22 actively used buildings was commended in our recent COA (Council on Accreditation) accreditation. John has had years of staffing board committees and dedicated board involvement, seeking guidance and support from valued community leaders.  

There is no part of our organization and facility that John has not strengthened, empowered, and made possible with his ‘get it done’ grit, flexibility, consistent demeanor, and contagious laugh. John’s impact extends beyond job titles and accomplishments. It resides in the lives he touched, the smiles he brought wearing costumes, the programs he championed, and the spirit of collaboration he fostered. His positivity radiated through every challenge, inspiring us all.  

For his unwavering dedication to our ministry of service, for ensuring the seamless functioning of every VOA Dakotas building and vehicle, we extend our indefinable gratitude. John, you are an inspiration—a blend of deep knowledge, humor, and unwavering commitment. You will be missed.  

We wish John the absolute best in this well-deserved retirement. May this new chapter be filled with joy, adventure, and the fulfillment he so richly deserves.  

Let us all come together and honor the legacy John has woven in 40 years of guiding others to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Thank you to the individuals and groups who are helping out behind the scenes with some of our programs. We salute you for your efforts over the past year in volunteering with VOA Dakotas.

Volunteers were recognized during National Volunteer Week, where their contributions were noted and saluted both by VOA’s National office and the Dakotas affiliate.  

Camp POSTCARD and Volunteer Coordinator, Tracie Phelps, says the volunteers involved with VOA Dakotas play an essential role within the organization. 

“Camp Postcard could not run, without volunteers. All of the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department officers that come are volunteers. The officers act as our camp counselors. We depend on them very heavily. Greater Goods really could not run without volunteers. We have such a small staff that we have to rely on the volunteers to help us get the product out of the trucks, sorted, tested, marked with fees and onto the shelves to help our members get what they need,” said Phelps.  

Phelps notes those roles are flexible depending on what skills a volunteer wants to emphasize. 

“Since Camp Postcard is a one week a year program, there a few fewer volunteer opportunities, however, there are more volunteers involved at the same time. At Greater Goods we use volunteers throughout the year. The projects they help with are varied and different every single time depending on the day of the week, the month, or even the time of day. It depends on what the volunteer likes to do, what their strengths are, and what we need done at the warehouse at that time. They might be helping unload a truckload, helping test items to see if they are in good working order. They might be cleaning things that came in that were returns or they may be helping put fees on the items we get and helping organize the shelves,” Phelps said.  

Phelps estimates that in 2023, volunteers contributed nearly 1300 hours of work for VOA Dakotas, which she points out can come on a varied basis. 

“Volunteer help can be little bit of everything. I’ve got two gals out there (Greater Goods) today, that are actually from Iowa. They come whenever works in their schedule, but it’s been almost weekly. They come for 5-6 hours at a time because they want to make their drive worth it. One does building, that is her knack. The other one likes to organize so she helps put shelves together to make things look better and goes from there. Groups, like Allstate, come in once a month on the first Wednesday of every month. They prefer that schedule. So does Dakotabilities, they also come in the first Wednesday of every month. Other groups are hit and miss, they will come and talk to me and say hey we’ve got extra time. We want to come, when can we fit it in? Still others pop in from out of the blue, and say hey, I’ve got time today what do you want me to do?”  

To learn more about how to volunteer for VOA Dakotas, click the button below.

Ben Klusmann, Director of Veterans Services, recently completed a national course at The Shay Moral Injury Center at Volunteers of America. Moral Injury can have a significant impact on veterans and is a crucial and emerging concept for healthcare workers, first responders, social workers, and others in high-pressure fields.

Moral injury addresses the suffering people experience in high-stakes situations when things go wrong, leading to harm from actions they took, witnessed, failed to prevent, or were subjected to. Originally coined by a doctor to describe the "undoing of character" caused by the moral anguish of combat veterans, this concept is gaining recognition across various professions.

“I really feel like I’ve boosted my knowledge in this area, particularly regarding those affected by trauma, moral distress, and moral injury. You can tell organizers incorporated perspectives from social workers, psychologists, spiritual care providers, mental health counselors, and religious leaders when creating the agenda. I appreciated that our courses included not just classroom work, but also group discussions, lectures, and study time,” said Klusmann.

To learn more about Moral Injury, services and training opportunities, click here.