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.}