Presho, SD

One of January’s questions is “How has the community changed since joining Horizons?”
I believe that a more varied group of people are getting interested in volunteering in our community. One of Presho’s biggest problems is that a small group of people are involved in many groups, which is great, but Presho as a whole should not depend on this small group for everything. For Presho to be more successful a larger portion of the population needs to get involved.
I am seeing more people that normally don’t get involved in community issues becoming interested in what Horizons is doing for the community. I feel that if Horizons can continue to invite the public to help with projects, more people with want to become involved.

Seminar #2 Economic Development/Entrepreneurial Support
Michelle and I are planning on going to Wall Feb 12 for this seminar, if anyone else would like to go please let us know. We have to have a number by Feb 8. Hope more than the 2 of us can go! Remember 6:30 in Wall is 7:30 here, so we wouldn’t have to leave till about 6 our time.
Tuesday, February 12–Wall Community Center 6:30 p.m. Supper; 7 p.m. Economic forecasts for business in your community-SDSU Econ Faculty; 8 p.m. Discussion and networking; 8:30 p.m. Supporting entrepreneurs in your community-Jim Mirehouse; 9:15 p.m. Wrap Up

One of January’s questions is “What evidence do you have that community members see poverty as a community issue?”
I believe that this community would not be so enthusiastic about a thift store if a need for low cost products was not an issue. Also the low price of the Senior Meals ($3) has had a positive reaction from the community.

Results from the community supper and online survey show that the thift store is what majority of Presho residents wanted the Change Presho money to benefit.
Our first challenge has been to see if we could secure a site. An ad in the paper has produced a building prospect. We are looking into the cost of this location.
Next project is to get a non profit classification. Lots of paperwork!! To be a non profit we will have to have a board of at least 5 members, anyone interested?
More input is needed to continue this project, any comments and suggestions are welcomed.

At the Horizons meeting Sunday it was decided to order clear canisters to distribute to local business’s. We are planning on having a youth group distribute and speak to each business about this project. If anyone would like to make up an easy explanation of this project so we can have a consistent explanation for all conserned that would be great.

Sunday’s group agreed that a booth at the Farm and Home Show would be a great way to show Horizon’s progress to the community. We still need a few volunteers to run the booth, all we are asking for is 1 hour. If you can help, Saturday, Feb. 23 anytime from 10-4 please let me know. Teresa 895-2368.

Presho’s newly operational Senior Meals program, made possible through the Rural of Community Services, came about as a direct result of the work being done in the local Horizons project. At the Horizons meeting held at the Lyman school gym last fall everyone was given the opportunity to be on a committee to address various needs in our community. The need for this type of services in Presho and Kennebec was identified during the study group meetings, an earlier phase of Horizons. Betty Jean Mertens signed up to head the committee on a Senior Meals program and she was proactive in getting that committee together, seeking information from ROCS about how Senior Meals works, introducing the concept to the city councils of Kennebec and Presho, and ultimately, with the enthusiastic response from the communities, resulting in the currant success. We are now serving congregate meals at the two locations to 20 - 30 people weekdays as well as several home deliveries. Helping seniors in our communities stay in their own homes as long as possible by supportive services was the goal identified in our study circles and acted on. Other supportive Horizons projects currently being addressed include providing needed transportation for Dr. or Hospital visits or shopping in larger towns, and a thrift store.

The Presho Horizons Project will hold an alumni gathering Sunday, January 27 at 3:30 pm  at the Presho American Lutheran Church.  All attending will receive a coupon good for a free meal at the Presho United Methodist annual soup supper which starts serving at 5 pm courtesy of the Presho Horizons Project.

All Horizons alumni, those who participated in the study circles, LeadershipPlenty training, and visioning committee, along with anyone interested in learning more about the goals of the Presho Horizons Project are encouraged to attend this gathering.  

Several committee updates will be presented including the senior meals, thrift store, and the results of the ‘change’ Presho survey. 

Seminar #1 Regional Collaborations and Community Foundations
Monday, January 28–Mitchell Technical Institute, 1800 Spruce, Rm 111 6:30 p.m. Supper; 7-9:15 Program Horizons I participants present their successes and challenges in their regional collaborations. RSVP Kari Fruechte by January 22 for supper count.

Seminar #2 Economic Development/Entrepreneurial Support
Tuesday, February 12–Wall Community Center 6:30 p.m. Supper; 7 p.m. Economic forecasts for business in your community-SDSU Econ Faculty; 8 p.m. Discussion and networking; 8:30 p.m. Supporting entrepreneurs in your community-Jim Mirehouse; 9:15 p.m. Wrap Up

Seminar #3 Affordable Housing
Monday, February 25–Kadoka (location TBA)
6:30 p.m. Supper; 7:00 p.m. Rural Learning Center Presentation; 8:00 p.m. Discussion & networking; 8:30 p.m. Panel of SD agencies/organizations that provide housing resources.

If you plan to attend any of these seminars, please contact any one of the Horizons members.
Kari Fruechte’s email address is fruechte.kari@ces.sdstate.edu

Cheryl Jacobs has requested that we answer these questions in our blog for January.  Please choose 1 or 2 questions in each category to address on our blog.

Category 6:  Building Skills and mobilizing around leadership                What changes are you seeing in the way community leadership is exercised or carried out?  How is it different?
In what ways have leadership skills been improved/enhanced?  What is different?     

What changes are you seeing in the way leadership is carried out ?  How decisions get made in your community?

What difference does the involvement of low income people make in community leadership?

How has your community changed after LeadershipPlenty training?

Category 10: Building skills and mobilizing around community

How has your community changed since joining Horizons?

Is your community more hope about the future? How do you know?

What evidence do you have that community members see poverty as a community issue?

Are more people involved in creating ideas, plans and taking actions on behalf of the community?  What difference does this make?

What new partnerships have been created (within your community, or between your community and others?