DakotAbilities POET Community Impact Grant Award

Small Moments. Meaningful Connections.

At DakotAbilities, we believe everyone deserves a life filled with purpose, connection and belonging. Every day, that mission comes to life through the relationships built between the people we support, our staff, volunteers, and our community.

We are grateful to be a recipient of the POET Community Impact Grant, which supports projects that strengthen communities and enriches the lives of the people who are impacted by them. Learn more about POET’s Community Impact Grant program.

For DakotAbilities, community impact often starts with something simple: showing up.

Through volunteering, community members have the opportunity to share conversations, play games, participate in activities, and build genuine relationships with the people we support. POET team members Ashley Risse and Shelby Christopherson have experienced that impact firsthand.

“One of the best parts of volunteering with DakotAbilities is how easy it is to make someone's day by simply being present,” Ashley shared. “Sharing a conversation, playing a game, or just showing up can make the biggest difference.”

Shelby echoed that sentiment, saying, “My favorite part about volunteering at DakotAbilities is seeing the joy that comes from meaningful connection. It's a reminder that the smallest moments and conversations can make the biggest impact.”

Those moments are at the heart of our mission. Whether it’s trying something new, pursuing a goal, spending time with friends, or simply sharing a laugh, we work to create opportunities for the people we support to make choices, build relationships, and be active members of their communities.

We are thankful to POET for investing in that vision and helping strengthen the connections that make our community better for everyone.

Because sometimes, making an impact is about building meaningful connections.