Your weekend, simplified: July 19, 2024

Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Mostly perfect, maybe some rain

This weekend, I'm keeping things pretty short and sweet because a lot of us – including myself – are taking vacations and trying to soak up as much summer as possible before everything shifts to back-to-school mode. You'll get to know the new leader of Sioux Empire United Way. And, I've got the details on a new effort to help people better connect with nonprofits and resources across the community.

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

This program helps create a standard of care for poverty

Simplified: The Helpline Center is working to bring a new model of social service to Sioux Falls – one that treats poverty like a medical condition rather than a character flaw. Here's what you need to know about Transitions to Success.

Photo by Rémi Walle / Unsplash

Why it matters

Transitions to Success was founded by a woman in the Detroit area who wanted to reframe the way people thought about poverty with an emphasis on using social determinants of health – i.e. non-medical things that affect our overall health.
The Helpline Center last month brought the first round of training for Transitions to Success to Sioux Falls. Nearly two dozen people from a variety of social service agencies attended.
The program essentially helps all agencies keep track of a person's various referrals to different services, the folks they've been in contact with and, simply asking at every step along the way how someone is doing in a variety of areas. The hope is it'll help better identify community needs, as well as how they're being met over time.

"We can be more proactive," said Shauna Batcheller, program director for the Helpline Center.

Tell me more about Transitions to Success

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

What it'll cost to use the new west-side rec center. The city this week released rates for a new west-side recreation center – previously Sanford Wellness at Tea/Ellis. The proposed rates are expected to go before the City Council on Aug. 7 and Aug. 13 for first and second reading.
- Proposed rates for a family pass are $634/year, $66/month and $25/day. Couple memberships are $518/year, with single annual passes at $394 for adults and $240 for kids.
- Reduced rates are available for people for qualifying residents – you just have to show proof of enrollment in a program like SNAP/EBT, free or reduced lunches, Medicaid, foster care or for those who are veterans.
- These passes will not include access to the Midco Aquatic Center, according to Brett Collars, assistant director of parks and recreation. It's unclear at this point if the same rates will apply to the proposed future indoor rec center at Frank Olson park.
Join the city arts commission. The city is now accepting applicants for a new Arts Commission, which will be led in part by the city's new arts coordinator, Maren Engel. All members must be residents of Sioux Falls, and there are a number of requirements for who must make up the committee, per city ordinance. Learn more and apply here.
Chat with a councilor. Join Southwest District Councilor Ryan Spellerberg for a cup of coffee Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the WP Cafe as part of the council's monthly "Coffee with a City Councilor" event.

GET SMART

Get smart about giving with Lisa Romkema

Lisa Romkema will begin her new job as CEO of Sioux Empire United Way (SEUW) at the end of this month. She sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified to talk about the importance of philanthropy, her experience in the nonprofit sector and how giving goes far beyond money.

Answers are edited for length and clarity.

How did you “get smart” about the world of philanthropy? What in your background led you to your current role?

I grew up in a small town, so philanthropy from the lens of time, talent and treasure – from all angles – was engrained in me from a young age.

Fourteen years ago, I joined the team at United Way as a campaign director – where I started my career. That was really where I learned about giving more from the lens of "treasure" and giving back financially.

I feel like I was so lucky because I was getting to see people at all levels of income and all levels within the community, individually and businesses giving back for this collective impact.

I was there for five years, then joined the Sanford Health Foundation team and worked in major gift fundraising for about five years – then Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons as chief development officer.

I've been at Maximizing Excellence since then, and when United Way was looking (for a new CEO), I decided to go back.

We're all about simplicity here. Can you describe the role Sioux Empire United Way plays in our community in one sentence?

SEUW unites individuals and organizations to create lasting, positive impact in the community.

See the full interview here

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this weekend:

ICYMI

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.