Our speakers today were Ruth Conway and Connie Tucker of the Autism Society of the Black Hills. They began here in 1997 to support families affected by autism through education, advocacy and support. The majority of funds raised go towards their summer camp which runs 2-4 hour sessions. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Over the next decade an estimated 700k to 1.1 million Autistic teens will enter adulthood and age out of school-based services. April is Autism Awareness Month. Please wear blue tomorrow, April 2nd in support. For more information visit their website www.autismsd.org.
Rushmore Rotarians volunteered their time yesterday and today with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds beds for kids that sleep on floors because they don’t have a bed. We sanded wood that we’ll use tomorrow to build beds. Great work Rotarians!
We were visited by Sam Thurston, president of the Hoquiam WA Rotary Club. Thank you for the club flag exchange.
We welcomed back previous member Toni Owan.
Congratulations to Scott Van Dam on receiving his Paul Harris Fellow +6.
Rapid City Alternative Academy Principal Jessica Kanta and Sean Binder updated us on the Academy becoming a discovery school this year. This allows them to find unique pathways to graduation for unique student situations. They also are introducing a Rotary micro grants program. This allows students to apply for up to $1400 toward a need or project with 1 year impacts. This program teaches them grant writing, persuasive communication, project planning, presentation & interview skills. Check out all the great things happening at this awesome school at rcalternativeacademy.rcas.org
Si holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of South Dakota. She spent 10 years in Seattle pursuing and developing her craft, also becoming a fitness trainer. After moving back to Rapid City for much longer than she intended, she played music and performed in “Always Patsy Cline,” eventually starting a Patsy Cline “experience” called InClined.” In 2018, she obtained her BSN in Nursing in from South Dakota State University. After working at Monument Health on the Heart and Vascular unit, COVID unit, then Black Hills Surgical Hospital, she now works with traumatized adolescents at WellFully as their Nurse Coordinator. She’s grateful for the opportunity to be of service and a new member of rotary.
Our speaker today was The Honorable Robert Gusinsky, Presiding Judge of the 7th Circuit Court, which covers Pennington County, Fall River, County, Oglala Lakota County and Custer County. Judge Gusinsky gave us an overview of the 7th Circuit, which is part of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS). There are 8 Circuit Judges and 4 Magistrate Judges. He shared that 85% of the cases are drug related (possession, distribution, ingestion) and collateral cases involving violent offenders, murders. For more information go to https://ujs.sd.gov/court-finder/seventh-judicial-circuit/ Judge Gusinsky shared that he was proud of the special courts designed to provide effective intervention for helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. These include Drug Court, DUI Court, Veterans Court, and Mental Health Court. See more information at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts/
Our speaker today was Amanda Mowry from Black Hills Habitat for Humanity. We learned that they set minimum income levels each year for recipients. They have also started home repair offerings that are available to the community at large, along with with a neighborhood beautification program for exterior work with no repayment required. Our club members brought donations for the Restore, which funds a majority of their projects. For more information or to volunteer check out their website www.blackhillshabitat.org.
Our speaker today was Dr. Ashok Kumar of the Rapid City Rotary Club. He shared information on culture, religion, economy & healthcare in Uganda. He originally went there through Rotary with Hope Haven to do wheelchair fittings. They use As One for the logistics who came to him to do medical training. He went to remote villages and the team with him started a menstrual hygiene project so the girls don’t have to miss school. There are great opportunities volunteering with Rotary and they can lead to even more opportunities. Visit rotary.org for more information.
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