Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warming up
🩷 A Little Help check: This month, Sioux Falls Simplified is highlighting the work of local nonprofit Owen's Outfitters. If you haven't read this story yet, go do that right now. I seriously dare you to read it and not fall in love with the family behind this organization that's making it simple for folks to get the medical supplies they need. Then, kick a few bucks their way if you can. A Little Help goes a long way, right?
This week, you'll learn about how nonprofits are working together to better coordinate care and get folks connected with housing (or whatever else they need). You'll also get a deep dive on the Sioux Falls YMCA, the latest on Sioux Falls schools' cell phone policy and a whole bunch of events happening this week.
And now, news:
CITY
How shared data is helping nonprofits work more effectively
Simplified: More than two dozen Sioux Falls nonprofits are using a coordinated system to track when people have received services related to housing, food, healthcare, childcare and more. Here's what you need to know about the Helpline Center Network of Care.
Why it matters
- Essentially, the Helpline Network of Care functions as a shared database where participating agencies can log interactions they have with folks who need help. Nonprofit leaders often describe Sioux Falls as "resource rich, systems poor," and this network is one example of a system that's helping bridge the gaps between various resources.
- This coordinated social service system has been an idea in Sioux Falls for more than a decade – dating back to the Sioux Falls Tomorrow 2014 plan. But it didn't really take off until some city funding helped offset the costs for nonprofits to use the shared service.
- Councilors in February 2023 voted to spend $250,000 over three years to help add more nonprofits into the network. The last $50,000 of that allocation is expected to be spent this year, which has cast a bit of a pall over the future of what Helpline Center CEO Janet Kittams said has been a beneficial system.
"We're concerned that we may lose some of our partner agencies after the city incentive fund is gone," Kittams told councilors Tuesday afternoon.
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How the YMCA has been making Sioux Falls stronger for more than a century
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA has been a part of the Sioux Falls community in one way or another since 1886. Here's how their mission to make strong kids, strong families and strong communities has evolved to fit the needs of today.
Why it matters
- It's hard to find a person in Sioux Falls who hasn't been impacted by the YMCA in one way or another – whether they went to Camp Lief Ericson, played youth basketball or benefited from after-school programming. The Y's various programs impact more than 10,000 kids each year.
- Though it started with summer camps and youth basketball, the YMCA has evolved to include a variety of youth sports, accessible gym memberships, camps for kids of all ages and abilities, and after-school programming.
- (Youth, Membership, Camps and After-school – if only CEO James Oppenheimer had a cool acronym for that...)
- One thing that sets the YMCA apart from other local organizations is its commitment to putting kids first regardless of their family's ability to pay. The nonprofit offers financial assistance to make sure all kids can participate.
"At the end of the day, it's all about that kid and getting them access to the experience," Director of Development Kadyn Wittman said. "That has been a guiding principle for our team even when finances are tough."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Call me, maybe. Sioux Falls School Board members last week heard a proposal to update the district's cell phone policy to allow high schoolers to use their phones during lunch and during passing periods, as shared by incoming-Superintendent Jamie Nold. The recommendations for elementary and middle school were to make no changes – i.e. no phones at all during the school day.
- Tell me more: Want to look at how students/teachers/parents felt about phone usage? Click here to see survey data included in the presentation showed to school board members.
- Meet the Mash Madness champions. DTSF, Inc. announced the winners of all three categories in the 2025 Mash Madness competition. Remedy took home the beer win with their Huckleberry Heaven. Lucky's snagged the cocktail trophy for their Key Lime Pie-jito, and Perch won the NA category with Pandan Cloud, a vegan small-batch cold brew creation. All told, downtown businesses sold more than 7,500 drinks during the month of March as part of this competition.
- 🌩️ Alert: weather. It's Severe Weather Awareness Week, and to celebrate, you can participate in the citywide tornado drill that'll take place at 10:15 a.m. today. You won't see a practice weather emergency alert on your phone, but the city will run the outdoor warning sirens.
- Historic preservation, or nah? City Councilors on Tuesday heard a presentation on the economic, cultural and community benefits of historic preservation efforts.
- Meanwhile, Sioux Falls Live reports that Sanford Health is going to ask the Board of Historic Preservation this week for permission to tear down a central Sioux Falls house built by a noted local architect in the 19th century.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: April 9-15
- Hit the market.* The 10th Junkin' Market Days shopping event in Sioux Falls is coming to the fairgrounds on April 11 and 12. You'll be able to shop from local small businesses offering boutique clothes, jewelry, shabby chic home decor, rustic furniture, vintage, antiques, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more. Shop one-of-a-kind items, support local businesses and enjoy food from delicious food trucks.
- You can get your ticket online today and use the code BOGO for Buy One Get One admission to the event. Also be sure to follow @junkinmarketdays on Facebook and Instagram for sneak peeks at products.
- Hike for eggs. The city parks and recreation department is hosting a trail hunt Friday evening at Great Bear Recreation Park. For $5, you can hike the trails and search for eggs with special prizes inside. Register here.
- Buy records. Saturday is Record Store Day at Total Drag downtown. Starting at 8 a.m. you can find exclusive deals on both new and used records. More details here.
- Find housing resources. Sioux Falls Thrive will host a Housing Resource Fair on Friday evening starting at 5:15 p.m. at Garfield Elementary School. You'll be able to connect with all kinds of housing professionals/lenders/etc., enjoy a free meal and even win door prizes. Kids are welcome, as well. Details here.
- Eat carbs, run, eat more carbs. The South Sioux Falls Kiwanis Club is hosting a "Carbs for Kids" 5K run and bake sale at Cherry Rock Park. The bake sale runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the 5K at 9 a.m. Learn more and register here.
- Play bingo & drink beer. Woodgrain is hosting a Beers and Bingo event Saturday afternoon starting at 3 p.m. Bingo cards are $1 each, and all proceeds will support Rare By Design, a nonprofit that focuses on promoting inclusion for people with rare diseases and disabilities. More details here.
*Denotes a sponsored event listing.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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