You Make the Difference: Celebrating National Volunteer Month at DakotAbilities
A Community Built on Connection
At the heart of DakotAbilities' mission is a simple but powerful belief: relationships matter. Our volunteers don't just fill a role – they become trusted friends, familiar faces, and cherished companions to the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities we support.
"Meeting new people helps broaden social circles, and volunteers often become trusted friends. What's just as important is consistency because it builds a sense of safety and trust – and those two things are vital for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities." – Heather Craig, Education and Support Manager
That consistency – showing up week after week, month after month – is what transforms a visit into a relationship, and a relationship into something truly meaningful.
POET Volunteers: This Is What Community Looks Like
One of the most memorable days this month came courtesy of an extraordinary group of volunteers from POET. What made their visit especially remarkable was that some traveled from across the Midwest to be here – proof that the spirit of generosity knows no boundaries.
The energy in the room was electric. The laughter was loud. And the smiles? Absolutely infectious. Watching such a large group of individuals roll up their sleeves and participate side by side with the incredible people in our day services program was truly something to behold. Our DakotAbilities staff rose to the occasion as they always do, and it was a beautiful reminder of just how special this team truly is.
Thank you, POET volunteers, for your unwavering commitment to our mission and for the time, heart, and joy you brought through our doors. We are so grateful.
Levitt at the Falls: Random Acts of Kindness
On National Random Acts of Kindness Day, an incredible group from Levitt at the Falls made the day even brighter at Longfellow Center. The gym was packed with smiling faces and generous hearts.
"Moments like these are a powerful reminder that kindness brings people together and strengthens the community we're proud to be part of."
Thank you for spending your time, energy, and positivity with us – you made the day truly special.
Citi: A Friendship That Keeps Showing Up
Some volunteer relationships go beyond a single visit – they become part of our story. That is exactly what the team at Citi has become for DakotAbilities. Year after year, they chose to spend Giving Tuesday with us, gathering around tables in our gym for Coffee & Conversation, picking right back up where they left off the year before.
What makes their visits so meaningful runs even deeper than generosity. Years ago, several of the people we support worked alongside members of the Citi team, and those bonds have never faded. When familiar faces walk through our doors, the room fills with laughter, stories, and the kind of warmth that only comes from friendships built over time. Watching those connections rekindle – year after year – is something we will never take for granted.
"Seeing those friendships pick righ back up is something truly special. The laughter, the stories, the familiar faces – it's the kind of community connection we cherish."
The Many Ways to Give Back
Our volunteers come as individuals, families, student groups, and teams from local businesses and organizations. And the ways to get involved at Longfellow are just as varied:
- Coffee, donuts, & conversation
- Board games, bingo & puzzles
- Crafts, sewing & baking
- Raised bed gardening & yard work
- Therapy dog visits & fishing buddies
- Holiday decorating & pizza parties
- Music, cultural enrichment & Friends of Faith
With nearly 90 active volunteers at any given time, we have seen firsthand that every single one of them matters. From retirees like Joe Herdina – who first volunteered with DakotAbilities in the early 2000s – to college students like Bella from Augustana University, who calls volunteering here her bridge to the real world, our volunteer family is as rich and diverse as the community we support.
The Impact Goes Both Ways
What strikes so many first-time volunteers is how much they receive in return. Volunteering at Longfellow has a way of shifting perspective – of reminding us what really matters. As Erica Hazelton from Aflac's Sioux Falls team shared: "Our lives are at such a fast pace sometimes, so just taking a moment to slow down and connect, play games, and enjoy fellowship is so rewarding. I always find my cup to be overflowing when I get the opportunity to volunteer here."
The people at DakotAbilities bring authenticity, resilience, creativity, and a generous spirit that stays with you long after you leave. This is not a one-way street – it never has been!
Join Us
If you've been thinking about volunteering, there is no better time than now, during National Volunteer Month, to take that first step. Whether you have an hour a week or an afternoon a month, we will find the perfect fit for you.
Visit dakotabilities.org/get-involved/volunteer to learn more and sign up. We can't wait to welcome you through our doors!