ExecutiveDirectorEddie EnduresBillColson(Continued from page 1)Just over a month ago was thetenth anniversary of the horribleevents that we refer to as 9-11.Most people remember where they were thatmorning and what their initial reaction was once theylearned that our country had been attacked byterrorists.I remember that day as clearly as if it wereyesterday. As the day unfolded, (the second tower inNY, the collapse of the pair, the Pentagon, and ruralPennsylvania), I began to wonder—“What will benext?” and “When will it end?”.Like so many others, I was filled with fear andworry about the unfortunate people directly affected,their families, our country, and even myself and thoseimportant to me. It was a very scary time. But eventhen, I had confidence in our strength as a nation andin the leadership that would be needed to carry usthrough. I knew that we would work together, confrontthe challenges, and be okay in the end because ournation is built on sound principals, documented forus to follow in the Constitution.I wonder if the tragedies and hurts experienced bythe children we serve is any less scary. I doubt it.Imagine the life of an abused child. They, too, don’tknow—“What will be next?” or “When will it end?”.Just as we did after 9-11, they need reassurance oftheir safety. They need to know that someone iswatching out for them and will do whatever isnecessary to prevent more awful things fromhappening to them.Being these things to CHS children is our calling,and is a responsibility we embrace. If we can’treassure them, comfort them, and help them findtheir way—who will? No one, I fear. Thank Heaven forour caring staff, our Board, and our long list of friendsand supporters. Because of them, CHS will be thereto serve whenever needed.And what about Children’s <strong>Home</strong> <strong>Society</strong>?Economic times remain uncertain, causing us to alsowonder “What will be next?” and “When will it end?”.We’ve received reductions in vital Medicaidfunding in the last year that amounted to nearly$500,000. I’ve reported on and we’ve dealt with theseMedicaid reductions. We can do this only becausewe have spent decades getting ready for theinevitable, and focused on endowment-building,financial readiness, and “friend raising”.Quite honestly, we don’t know “What will be next?”or “When will it end?”. But we do know that we havea legacy of perseverance, spirit, and conviction, andthe support of committed friends dedicated to thecontinuance of our mission. No matter what happens,we are in the best of hands, thanks to you.CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY OFSOUTH DAKOTA serves over 2,000children each year through residentialtreatment, education, emergencyshelter, forensic interview &examination centers, foster care &adoption services, relativeplacements, and prevention services.The majority of these children arevictims of severe abuse or neglect.SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT:Black Hills Children’s <strong>Home</strong>........Rapid CitySioux Falls Children’s <strong>Home</strong>.......Sioux FallsMessengers Children’s Center ....Rapid CityChildren’s Inn ..............................Sioux FallsChild Advocacy Center...............Rapid CityChild’s Voice ...............................Sioux FallsAccredited by the Joint CommissionLicensed by South Dakota Department ofSocial ServicesCertified by South Dakota Department ofEducationCHS services are provided regardless ofrace, color, religion, gender, or nationalorigin.2 www.chssd.org/foundationEddie doesn’t recall being afraidor upset by the experience. Hethought it was pretty fun to get toride in a police car, stay in a fancymotel, and then get to ride on anairplane. Once back in SouthDakota, it was decided he shouldreturn to CHS to process all thathad happened.So while at CHS for the second time, another family cameforward. But this family was interested in adopting him. Notknowing their intentions, Eddie was selected to be a tour guidefor these “guests” on campus. They were able to spend sometime with Eddie without any pressure for either them or Eddie.After several months of work and transition, Eddie went to livewith his new family when he was 12, with the adoption finalizedwhen he was 13. He still considers them to be his parents tothis day.Today, Eddie has been happily married to his wife, Andi, for 11years, and they have three children: Brett is 10; Erica is 6; andJared is 5.When asked what he would say to CHS kids today, Eddie says,“I would just remind them to listen to staff and not getdiscouraged. They are here to help your life get better. Never,never give up. There are people who care. I have met them.They are all around you.”When asked what he would say to CHS staff today, Eddie says,in a voice that breaks, “I would just wrap ‘em all up in my armsand give ‘em a great big bear hug. I am here today because ofthe road they helped me find, and travel on.”Bill Colson ........................Executive DirectorRick Weber.................Development DirectorPat Nadolski...............Chief Financial OfficerMuriel Nelson ............Community Services &Marketing DirectorAshley Fellows ....Human Resources DirectorTim Fitzgerald ........BHCH Program DirectorSue Williams ...........SFCH Program DirectorSteve Deming .................BHCH CommunityServices DirectorRoxie Schmitz ..................SFCH CommunityServices DirectorGreg Riley ...........BHCH Education DirectorRod Lenz ..............SFCH Education DirectorChildren’s <strong>Home</strong> Foundation (CHF)provides operational support,building funds, endowment security,and community awareness &education for CHS.The Children’s Friend is a twiceyearlypublication of Children’s<strong>Home</strong> Foundation. Debra Moritz,Editor. Address correspondence todeb.moritz@chssd.org; or Children’s<strong>Home</strong> Foundation, PO Box 1749,Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1749; or call(605) 965-3136.
CHS LaunchesChamber Appeals CampaignFor the expansion & remodel of Van Demark HouseAt Sioux Falls Children’s <strong>Home</strong> (SFCH), a two-phase, and two-story expansion and remodel of Van DemarkHouse is underway. This building serves as bedroom and living space for 42 children, provides office spacefor support staff, therapists, and counselors, and houses CHS medical services and the campus laundry.VAN DEMARK PHASE 1 is currently underway and willprovide expanded space for therapy groups, medical &psychiatric services, a family visitation area, aconference room, a work room, recreation areas, moreoffices, an expanded reception area, and the addition ofan elevator. Phase 1 is being funded by a previouscampaign that also provided for the expansion andremodel of the school, construction cost savings fromthat project, and depreciation funds.VAN DEMARK PHASE 2 will expand the children’sbedroom and living space, and provide play space anda library. This phase will include 5,200 square feet of newconstruction, and 3,700 square feet of remodeled space,at an estimated cost of $1,250,000.The SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE hasapproved a “Community Appeals Campaign” to thebusiness community in the amount of $800,000 towardthe Phase 2 project. CHS’ goal will be to raise anadditional $450,000 through private foundations andother sources. The Chamber Campaign will occurNovember 2011 through March 2012.WHY THE PROJECT IS NEEDED• Van Demark House was originally designed in 1984 for 30children. Out of need over the years, capacity has beenstretched to serve 42 children. The expansion will bring CHSinto compliance with licensing codes for living spacerequired, per child, for residential facilities.• The expansion will increase the number of bedrooms from14 to 22, and will provide individual bedrooms for childrenwho are high risk due to sexual abuse, who have contagioushealth issues, or who have sleeping problems that aredisruptive to other children.• With more children served, there is also more staff, requiringoffice and therapy space.• Storage space is minimal. Many CHS children areessentially homeless, which requires storage of anybelongings they may have. The expansion will provideincreased, efficient, storage space.• Inside play space is extremely limited. Currently, the kitchenand bedroom halls are also used for play. The expansion willprovide additional play and recreational space. There willalso be room for arts & crafts, quiet play & reading areas,and a kitchen.• Expanded recreation space will also allow CHS to betteraddress supervision and developmental considerationswhen working with both boys and girls with ages rangingfrom 4 to 13.CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIPCampaign Co-ChairsDr. Bob & MarilynVan DemarkAl SchoenemanJulie Anderson FriesenBill BakerBob BakerDave BangasserMiles BeacomGreg BlombergChad BreidenbachPaul BruflatLynne ByrneRod CarlsonCraig CherringtonJulie ChoudekMike CostanzoDana DykhouseJon EricksonAnne Marie FeiockTerri FosterNick GarrySteve GarryCurt GrafingScott GrunewaldtTim HamelSteve HauffPhil HellandTom HellandCraig HodgsonBlake HoffmanJack HopkinsJay HuizengaDave JansaJerry JencksCoralee JorgensenTom KelleyKirk KeuppThom KoehlerMarilyn KorstenScott KorstenGeorge LappScott LawrenceKelly ManningJack MarshmanJane MartinMark MartinAli MassaJim MathisMark McClungDick MenkeKristi MetzgerCynthia MickelsonJay MitchellJarrod MullerJerry NachtigalJeff NelsonJulie NelsonTom NicholsonRitch NobleBill PetersonDoug PetersonDenise PinsJud PinsMichelle PoeShawn PoeGary PoppensTJ ReardonDrew ReavesLisa Richmond-KirbyLayne RichterPam RippentropGeorge RobertsJamison RoundsJohn RozellSusan SabersBill SanfordJeff ScherschligtJessie SchmidtJon SchulteJodi SiemersJeff SkinnerCarolynn StavengerTim StenbergDennis SteneJack StengelSusan StokkaEllyn SugaMaureen SugaJoe SztapkaPam Taylor JansaJulie TverbergGene TverbergGene UherDwight VondraRoger WeberNancy Weber-SweereHeather Zweifel3
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