RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills Community Bank is investing in Rapid City’s next generation with a $350,000 donation to Abbott House. The money will go toward renovating the newly acquired WellFully Center.
Benefactors say the contribution will help pay down acquisition costs and upgrades to the facility, which provides critical behavioral health and addiction recovery services to adolescents.
“WellFully’s been a terrific organization through the years. We knew exactly what we’re investing into,” said Jack Lynass, President and CEO of Black Hills Community Bank, “And I think just with the combination of the management and the similar mission statements it’s going to be, I mean, it can be here forever.”
The donation was made possible through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Lynass explained that Black Hills Community Bank and Scull Construction teamed up to put forward $100,000, which triggered a $250,000 match. The funds will be used immediately to pay down a line of credit, drastically reducing interest expenses for the nonprofit.
Abbott House acquired the $2.4 million WellFully facility earlier this year. Leaders say combining the organizations allows them to provide vital continuity of care for kids in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Mitchell.
“I’ve known some of the board members and Executive Director here at WellFully for a long, long time, and with many of the factors that go on in our field, they just made a lot of sense for the two organizations to get together,” said Eric Klooz, Executive Director of Abbott House.
The Abbott House together with WellFully now provides psychiatric residential treatment, inpatient drug and alcohol programming, intensive foster homes, and independent living programs for youth aging out of the system. The Rapid City location also houses South Dakota’s only Adolescent Crisis Care Center.
im Scull, Chairman of the Board for Black Hills Community Bank, noted that Rapid City currently has more than 500 foster children but only about 120 available beds.
“The need is so great here, just so great for us to help these kids break free of that poverty cycle,” Scull said, noting that a significant portion of the youth served come from marginalized backgrounds and nearby reservations, “We’re hoping all these things we do will help the next generation.”
Looking ahead, Abbott House is hoping to further expand the Rapid City facility with a new gymnasium in the next two years. Klooz said the addition will give the children a much-needed indoor space to exercise during the winter months.
Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.
