SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY INC
1000 N WEST AVENUE, SIOUX FALLS, SD 571041314 www.siouxempireunitedway.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: TO LEAD, SUSTAIN AND NURTURE A UNIFIED, EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS.

MARKETING OVERVIEW COMMUNICATING OUR MESSAGE EFFECTIVELY IS ESSENTIAL TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY AND THE IMPACT WE HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY. THE MARKETING TEAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF TWO STAFF MEMBERS AND A TEAM OF SEVEN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, USES THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES TO COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC TO BUILD GREATER AWARENESS WITH BOTH EXISTING DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS POTENTIAL NEW ONES. EVENTS "WOMENUNITE EVENT. HELD ANNUALLY IN AUGUST. THE EVENT EDUCATES AND INSPIRES WOMEN ABOUT THE UNITED WAY. WOMEN ARE ASKED TO SPREAD THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE, ARE PROVIDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVEST IN SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY. APPROXIMATELY 900 WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE EVENT THIS YEAR. (NOTE: THIS EVENT IS EXECUTED BY A SEPARATE COMMITTEE) "CAMPAIGN KICKOFF. HELD ANNUALLY IN SEPTEMBER. EVALUATING EVENT GOAL AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2020 WITH CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP. "THANK YOU EVENT. HELD ANNUALLY IN FEBRUARY. EACH YEAR WE HOST A SOUP AND SALAD LUNCHEON TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS AND TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED THE EVENT IN FEBRUARY OF 2020. MARKETING CHANNELS & MESSAGING "EMAIL MARKETING. EMAIL NEWSLETTERS ARE SENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO KEEP SEUW TOP OF MIND TO VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS. PRIMARY EMAILS EFFORTS ARE: OCAMPAIGN UPDATES - SENT TO VOLUNTEERS ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS FROM JULY THROUGH JANUARY. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS OF COMPANY CAMPAIGNS, RALLY IDEAS, SUCCESS STORIES, AND CURRENT EVENTS. OVER 600 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED THE UPDATES DURING THE 2020 CAMPAIGN. OMONTHLY NEWSLETTER - SENT TO SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY SUPPORTERS AND INCLUDE TIMELY INFORMATION, UPDATES ON SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, AREA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, STORIES FROM LOCAL CLIENTS, AND INFORMATION ABOUT UNITED WAY. NEARLY 9,500 SUBSCRIBERS. "WEBSITE. THE WEBSITE IS USED A MARKETING TOOL TO SHOWCASE THE IMPACT WE HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A RESOURCE FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS. "SOCIAL MEDIA. SOCIAL MEDIA PROVIDES THE UNITED WAY A PLATFORM TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ABOUT OUR MISSION AND IMPACT. THESE CHANNELS ARE ALSO USED TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT MAY ARISE ABOUT UNITED WAY IN A TIMELY FASHION. SEUW HAS A PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, AND LINKEDIN. "MEDIA COVERAGE. WE RECEIVE MEDIA COVERAGE ON OUR EVENTS AND THROUGH DIFFERENT STORY IDEAS SUBMITTED TO LOCAL MEDIA. THIS PAST YEAR, WE WORKED WITH FUNDED AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL STORIES ABOUT UW AND FUNDED PROGRAMS EACH MONTH. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE OUR FUNDED AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE THAT THEY ARE A SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY PROGRAM IN ANY OF THEIR MEDIA RELEASES. MARKETING MATERIALS "CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. THE COMMITTEE AND CAMPAIGN CHAIR WORK WITH LAWRENCE & SCHILLER TO DEVELOP THE CAMPAIGN VIDEO, BROCHURE AND PRINT COLLATERAL. "OTHER MATERIALS. ALL OTHER MATERIALS INCLUDING INVITATIONS, EVENT PROGRAMS, SOME PLEDGE CARDS, AND MORE ARE CREATED IN-HOUSE BY SIOUX EMPIRE UNITED WAY STAFF. OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS "EMERGING LEADERS. THE GROUP IS GEARED TOWARDS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, FOCUSED ON VOLUNTEERISM AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE NEEDS OF UNITED WAY FUNDED AGENCIES. "YEAR ROUND COMMUNICATION. WE PARTNER WITH MORE THAN 70 COMPANIES TO PROVIDE IN-HOUSE YEAR ROUND COMMUNICATION. WE WORK WITH DESIGNATED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COMPANIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR SUPPORTERS ALL YEAR LONG. "AGENCY TOURS. MARKETING STAFF ENSURE THAT ALL UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE AN INVITE TO ATTEND AN AGENCY TOUR DURING THE SUMMER. TOURS ARE PROVIDED BY FUNDED AGENCIES AS A TOOL FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THEIR GIFT IS WORKING IN THE SIOUX EMPIRE. "SPEAKER'S BUREAU. EACH SUMMER, WE IDENTIFY AND TRAIN SPEAKERS FROM EACH OF UNITED WAY'S PARTNER AGENCIES. THESE AGENCY SPEAKERS ARE THEN OUR VOICE WHILE SPEAKING AT VARIOUS COMPANIES' UNITED WAY RALLIES IN THE FALL. WE ALSO ASSIST THOSE COMPANIES IN SELECTING AND SCHEDULING SPEAKERS FOR THEIR RALLIES.

COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION STRATEGIES "ONGOING FUNDING PROCESS: UNITED WAY PROVIDES FUNDING TO PROGRAMS WITHIN NON-PROFIT AGENCIES THAT HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST 2 FULL YEARS AND CAN SUBSTANTIATE THE NEED AND IMPACT OF THEIR PROGRAM. THIS IMPACT PROCESS BEGINS WITH APPLICATIONS BEING MADE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER AND CONCLUDES WITH FINAL DECISIONS IN MAY. APPROXIMATELY 60 VOLUNTEERS TYPICALLY SPEND MORE THAN 1000 HOURS EACH YEAR REVIEWING FUNDING REQUESTS. IMPACT AREAS INCLUDE: AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES, AT-RISK YOUTH, CHILDCARE, CHILDREN AND YOUTH EDUCATION, DISABILITIES, INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES IN CRISIS, MENTAL HEALTH, OUT OF SCHOOL TIME, SENIORS, AND YOUTH OUTREACH. EACH TEAM REVIEWS THE APPLICATIONS AND HOLDS AN IN-PERSON REVIEW MEETING WITH EACH OF THE NON-PROFIT APPLICANTS. THE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EACH IMPACT TEAM ARE BROUGHT FORTH TO THE COMMUNITY IMPACT CHAIRS AND THEN TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FINAL APPROVAL IN MAY. FOR 2020, THE COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION RECOMMENDED APPROXIMATELY 8 MILLION IN FUNDING TO 85 PROGRAMS WITHIN 40 NON-PROFIT AGENCIES. "NEW STRATEGIES FOR 2020: OONLINE PROCESS: "BEGAN USING AN ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, E-CIMPACT. SYSTEM WILL ALLOW AGENCIES, VOLUNTEERS, AND STAFF TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION FROM ANYWHERE. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR GREATER TRACKING AND REPORTING ON OUTPUT AND OUTCOME DATA FOR EACH OF THE FUNDED PROGRAMS. OTWO-YEAR FUNDING PROCESS: "BEGAN TRANSITIONING TO A TWO-YEAR FUNDING PROCESS. THIS WILL PROVIDE THE FUNDED PROGRAMS WITH A CLEARER PICTURE OF THEIR UNITED WAY SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. "IN 2020, HALF OF THE PROGRAMS WILL COMPLETE THE FULL APPLICATION PROCESS. THIS INCLUDES THE ONLINE APPLICATION AND IN-PERSON REVIEW MEETINGS. WHILE THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN MAY, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PROGRAMS THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH THE FULL REVIEW PROCESS WILL RECEIVE LEVEL FUNDING IN 2021 (UNLESS THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE DETERMINED OTHERWISE). OCHANGE IN FOCUS: "FOCUS ON ACTUALS VS. PROJECTIONS "SINCE PROJECTIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CHALLENGING FOR THE AGENCIES TO COMPILE AND FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS TO REVIEW, THE FOCUS WILL NOW BE ON THREE YEARS OF ACTUALS RATHER THAN PROJECTIONS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO TRANSITION FROM A MODEL OF PRIMARILY REVIEWING FUNDING REQUESTS BASED ON PROJECTED DEFICITS TO A MODEL WHERE UNITED WAY SUPPORT IS MORE DIRECTLY TIED TO A SPECIFIC OUTPUT AND OUTCOME. "IN-PERSON REVIEW MEETINGS: "A MORE FOCUSED AGENDA WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. IT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING KEY ITEMS: OUTPUTS, OUTCOMES, AND FINANCIALS. ORESTRUCTURING OF TEAMS: "REORGANIZED OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM STRUCTURE TO BETTER ALIGN WITH OUR TRUE IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, THIS BETTER ALIGNS WITH OUR FOCUS ON HELPING CHILDREN, VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND PEOPLE IN CRISIS. "COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS: HISTORICALLY, COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT FUNDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT NEW PROGRAMS, IN EXISTENCE LESS THAN 3 YEARS. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO NOT OPEN THIS PROCESS UP FOR APPLICANTS FOR 2021 FUNDING. THIS DECISION WAS THE RESULT OF A SUCCESSFUL PILOT YEAR OF UNITED WAY FOCUSING ON THE ONGOING FUNDING NEEDS OF LOCAL NON-PROFITS WHILE ALLOWING THE SIOUX FALLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO FOCUS ON START-UP PROGRAMS. THIS DECISION WILL BE REEVALUATED NEXT YEAR. "FOCUS ON A PRIORITY AREA: THIS NEW APPROACH REPLACES WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO AS OUR ANNUAL INITIATIVE PROCESS. BY MOVING TO PRIORITY AREA FUNDING, UNITED WAY WILL BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC COMMUNITY NEED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME IN ORDER TO HAVE A GREATER IMPACT. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, A LOT OF TIME HAS BEEN SPENT LOOKING INTO THE AREA OF CHILDCARE. AT THIS TIME, UNITED WAY IS PUTTING TOGETHER A PROPOSED PLAN TO TARGET THIS IMPACT AREA. THIS PLAN WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE VOLUNTEERS AND FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS LATER THIS YEAR.

CHILDREN: AVERA MCKENNAN'S SUCCESS BY 6 PARENTING WITH SUCCESS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES RESOURCE BOOKLETS AND TEMPERAMENT PROGRAMMING. THE RESOURCE BOOKLETS ARE PROVIDED TO ALL MOTHERS AFTER BIRTH AND INCLUDE PARENTING INFORMATION AND LOCAL RESOURCES. LAST YEAR, 2,432 BOOKLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. TEMPERAMENT PROGRAMMING UTILIZES A THOROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE PROVIDED TO PARENTS WHEN THEIR CHILD IS 15 MONTHS OF AGE. THE RESULTS HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE TEMPERAMENT OF THEIR CHILD AND HOW TO PARENT BASED ON THAT. LAST YEAR, 292 FAMILIES COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SIOUX EMPIRE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. LAST YEAR, 454 CHILDREN RECEIVED QUALITY CHILD CARE THAT INCLUDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CURRICULUM. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SIOUX EMPIRE'S EASTSIDE CLUB SUPPORTS YOUTH AND FAMILIES BY GIVING STUDENTS A SAFE, SUPERVISED, ENGAGING PLACE TO SPEND TIME. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FIVE CORE AREAS: THE ARTS, EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS, CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND SPORTS AND RECREATION. LAST YEAR, 358 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAMMING. AN ANALYSIS OF 68 AFTERSCHOOL STUDIES CONCLUDED THAT HIGH-QUALITY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS CAN LEAD TO IMPROVED ATTENDANCE, BEHAVIOR, AND COURSEWORK. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A HIGH-QUALITY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM WENT TO SCHOOL MORE OFTEN, BEHAVED BETTER, RECEIVED BETTER GRADES, AND DID BETTER ON TESTS COMPARED TO NON-PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. CHALLENGE DAY PROVIDES AREA MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A ONE-DAY PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON EMPATHY SKILL BUILDING. LAST YEAR, CHALLENGE DAYS HAPPENED IN 13 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE SIOUX EMPIRE. FULL DAY PROGRAMS WERE ATTENDED BY 800 STUDENTS AND 1,884 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A SHORTER ASSEMBLY. STUDENTS COMPLETED SURVEYS AFTER THE EXPERIENCE AND 76% AGREED WITH THE STATEMENT, "I FEEL EMPOWERED TO INFLUENCE CHANGE IN MY SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND/OR WORLD." CHARACTER ON TRACK PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING, AND CITIZENSHIP. LAST YEAR, ASSEMBLIES WERE HELD IN 20 AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. CHILDREN'S CONNECTION, A PROGRAM OF FAMILY CONNECTION PROVIDES WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS, FAMILY EVENTS, AND MORE TO CHILDREN WHOSE PARENT OR CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN INCARCERATED. LAST YEAR, 293 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE WEEKLY GROUPS AT 11 LOCAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. CONNECTING KIDS CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K-8 TO TAKE PART IN AN ACTIVITY FOR A FREE OR REDUCED RATE. LAST YEAR, 687 USED THE CONNECTING KIDS CERTIFICATE. CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS, CAMPS, CLASSES, AND FINE ART ACTIVITIES THROUGH 25 DIFFERENT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. A SURVEY OF PARENTS FOUND THAT 98% OF RESPONDENTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITHOUT CONNECTING KIDS. DELTA DENTAL OF SD'S MOBILE DENTAL PROGRAM PROVIDES RESTORATIVE AND PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. LAST YEAR, 288 LOCAL YOUTH WERE SCREENED, WITH 67 HAVING THEIR FIRST DENTAL VISIT. THE ORAL HEALTH IN AMERICA REPORT ESTABLISHED THE LINK BETWEEN DENTAL DISEASE AND ABSENTEEISM AND REDUCED LEARNING IN CHILDREN AS WELL AS THE LINK BETWEEN DENTAL DISEASE AND OVERALL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN IN THE MAIL UNTIL AGE 5. OVER 11,188 CHILDREN RECEIVE BOOKS EACH MONTH. ONE STUDY REPORTS CHILDREN READ TO ONE HOUR PER DAY ENTER SCHOOL WITH A VOCABULARY 3 TIMES LARGER THAN STUDENTS ONLY READ TO 30 HOURS DURING THEIR FIRST 5 YEARS. EMBE'S AQUATICS PROGRAM OFFERS SWIMMING LESSONS, SPECIALTY CLASSES, AND OPEN SWIM OPPORTUNITIES. LAST YEAR, 1,416 INDIVIDUALS TOOK PART IN SWIMMING LESSONS. EMBE'S CHILDCARE PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AGES 4 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS. LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF 347 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE CENTERS DAILY. EMBE'S GIRLS ON THE RUN/HEART & SOLE IS A CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 3RD - 5TH AND 6TH - 8TH THAT USES NON-COMPETITIVE RUNNING AND TRAINING TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF PARTICIPATION IN A 5K RUN/WALK. LAST YEAR, 871 GIRLS PARTICIPATED IN GIRLS ON THE RUN OR HEART & SOLE AT 46 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN THE SIOUX EMPIRE. EMBE'S LET ME RUN IS A SEVEN-WEEK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO INSPIRE BOYS THROUGH THE POWER OF RUNNING, TO BE COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO BE THEMSELVES, TO BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO LIVE AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. LAST YEAR, 127 BOYS PARTICIPATED AT 6 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. EMBE'S YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMMING PROVIDES A VARIETY OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: VOLLEYBALL, BABYSITTING CAMP, CAMP CEO, CAMP CHANGEMAKER, YOUTH TAEKWONDO, AND FIRST LEGO LEAGUE. LAST YEAR, 1,709 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. HARMONY SOUTH DAKOTA IS A FREE AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 AND UP TO PARTICIPATE IN STRING ORCHESTRA, PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES, MUSICIANSHIP CLASSES, AND PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS. LAST YEAR, 60 PARTICIPANTS SPENT 523 HOURS IN INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE PROGRAM. INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP'S SIOUX FALLS CENTER PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. LAST YEAR, 94 CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM WHILE THEIR PARENTS EITHER WORKED OR ATTENDED SCHOOL. KIDSTOP PROVIDES A FREE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8. LAST YEAR AN AVERAGE OF 50 CHILDREN AND 8 MIDDLE- SCHOOLERS ATTENDED DAILY. EIGHTY-NINE PER CENT OF REGULARLY ATTENDING PARTICIPANTS MAKE PROGRESS ON A POWER OF ASSET BUILDING CHART, A TOOL TO TRACK STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS, WHICH LEADS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO KEEP CHILDREN ENGAGED IN LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS. LAST YEAR, 134 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS, WITH AN AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE OF 51 CHILDREN. OF THOSE CHILDREN, 114 CAME FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, ALLOWING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY PROGRAMS EVEN IF THEIR FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FULL COST OF ATTENDING. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' CLIMB PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUTH WHO ARE AT-RISK FOR LOW ACHIEVEMENT SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY WITH A MENTOR WHO IS ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND FRIENDSHIP. MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES. LAST YEAR, 140 MENTOR MATCHES WERE MADE OR MAINTAINED THROUGH THE PROGRAMS. RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS SUPPORT A YOUTH'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MULTIPLE AREAS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THIS INCLUDES BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF MORALS AND VALUES, IMPROVED DECISION MAKING, FEELING EMPOWERED TO SUCCEED, AND RECEIVING ENCOURAGEMENT TO ENTER OR FINISH COLLEGE. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' EVERY DAY HEROES MENTOR PROGRAM PROVIDES ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODELS AT THEIR SCHOOLS. LAST YEAR, 1,378 VOLUNTEER MENTORS SERVED WITHIN 11 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MINNEHAHA AND LINCOLN COUNTIES. NATIONAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MENTORS AND STUDENTS PROMOTE LONG-TERM POSITIVE OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE ACHIEVEMENT, A STRONGER SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS, AND DECREASED DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' HERE4YOUTH PROVIDES OUT OF SCHOOL TIME CARE FOR YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR SIBLINGS. LAST YEAR, THEY SERVED 69 YOUTH DURING OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' USUCCEED PROGRAM PROVIDES AT-RISK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A LONG-TERM VOLUNTEER MENTOR TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. LAST YEAR, 187 MENTORS AND STUDENTS WERE MATCHED. OF THOSE, 97% OF THE STUDENTS PROGRESSED TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. ONE STUDY FOUND THAT AT-RISK YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAD MENTORS WERE MORE LIKELY TO SET GOALS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND WERE MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND COLLEGE THAN NON-MENTORED PEERS. MULTI-CULTURAL CENTER'S AFTER SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS SERVES 692 STUDENTS WITH AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING LAST YEAR. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE READING ASSISTANCE, MATH HELP, KARATE, AND PROGRAMS TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT CULTURES. READY TO START PROVIDES A FIVE-WEEK PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVICES, OR WHO MAY HAVE DEMONSTRATED A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. LAST YEAR THE PROGRAM SERVED 176 CHILDREN IN CANTON, HARRISBURG, MCCOOK CENTRAL, LENNOX, SIOUX FALLS, AND TEA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. PARTICIPANTS HAVE AN AVERAGE GAIN OF 35% IN MATH SKILLS, 25% IN READING SKILLS, AND 22% IN SUPPORTIVE SKILLS. SANFORD CHILDREN'S CHILD SERVICES' SUCCESS BY 6 WATCH ME GROW HELP ME GROW PROGRAMMING INCLUDES PARENT RESOURCE MATERIAL AT BIRTH, CHILD AND PARENT RESOURCES ONLINE, HOME VISITS, AND TEMPERAMENT PROGRAMMING. LAST YEAR, 2,814 PACKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO NEW PARENTS AT BIRTH, 117

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