The communities where we live, work and play have a major role in our mission of working together to achieve goals and dreams. People are supported to live in their own homes, supervised apartments and group homes throughout the northern hills and in Hot Springs. We have classrooms in public schools in the northern hills, and a variety of work sites in both the northern and southern hills.
Motivated by our belief that our lives are enhanced by our community connections – our friends, families, neighbors, social groups and coworkers - BHSSC encourages and assists other community organizations to include all people in their activities and to appreciate the contributions of all.
Volunteering:
United Way Day of Caring, Meals on Wheels, veterinary clinics, local nursing homes, Veterans Administration, public schools, senior centers, day care centers, and local animal shelters are some of the volunteer opportunities people in our organization have enjoyed.
Community Activities:
We continually look for ways to involve people and to build bridges between our organizational members and their local communities.
People participate in the Hot Springs, Sturgis and Belle Fourche holiday Parades of Lights, Sturgis Relay for Life, Healthy South Dakota Challenges, Community Education, United Way and the Suncatchers Therapeutic Riding Academy.
New friendships are forged through Project Friendship, a BHSSC program that facilitates and encourages relationships with high school and college students in the northern hills. Unified sports provide people with the opportunity for fun competitive play with people who soon become teammates and friends
Students attending classes in public schools are encouraged to participate in activities of interest, such as dances, attending and participating in sports activities, etc. Project Friendship volunteers play a vital role by being gatekeepers with other students.
BHSSC holds memberships to the community/recreation centers in the communities where we provide services.
Because people often need exposure to a wide variety of activities before we find what we really enjoy, we encourage attendance and participation in many local events and opportunities, such as movies, plays, Pow Wows, and seasonal activities.
Community Involvement
People supported in Hot Springs serve as Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors with the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. BHSSC affiliates serve through various volunteer and service organizations, improving their own social capital and resources which, in turn, increases the level for everyone.
Dove Creek Designs
The unique Dove Creek Designs pottery, utilizing horsehair and feathers, is produced in our studio in Hot Springs. People supported by the agency are involved in all phases of creating the pottery. Individuals and organizations in and around the community donate supplies of horsehair and feathers. Each piece is individually fashioned so that buyers know there will never be an exact duplicate. Dove Creek Designs pottery is highly popular in commercial outlets throughout the Black Hills and beyond.