Chris Huber, President & CEO of BHACF, speaks at BHACF's Thriving Communities Celebration on Sept. 9, 2025.
In response to community voices in the 2025 Thriving Communities Survey, BHACF has granted $145,000 to nonprofits that strengthen youth mental wellness across the Black Hills region. Community members prioritized “Youth Mental Wellness” out of four potential causes, revealing the issue is top of mind for many residents this year.
“Youth mental health is drastically underserved in our community. If we help youth, we help our future adults, our future families, our future workforce, our future humans who will impact the next generations,” said a Rapid City resident in the survey.
Community members wrote that youth mental health services need more support to meet the demand in the Black Hills. They said that early treatment and prevention are critical, and learning coping skills can make a big difference. Survey responses also emphasized a need for more open conversations about mental health. Community conversations can reduce the stigma, responses said, and help young people feel more comfortable seeking support.
BHACF’s grants strengthen both prevention and intervention services supporting a wide range of populations in the region.
Congratulations to 9 Youth Mental Wellness Grantees!
West River Mental Health: Supports a pilot summer wellness camp and regional mental health awareness campaign.
Lost & Found: Supports resilience training, education, and mentoring services for college students across western South Dakota.
Oyate Teca Project: Supports the Youth Teen Center in Kyle, a safe space for Native youth to receive culturally responsive wellness services.
The Helpline Center: Supports the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s operations in western South Dakota, which provides 24/7 crisis and prevention services.
WellFully: Supports trauma-informed programming such as therapeutic art. The grant will also help customize an adolescent recovery unit to meet the specialized needs of those in their care.
Lawrence County Coalition: Supports school-based prevention programs focused on youth engagement, resilience, and early intervention for mental health conditions.
Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills: Supports quality programs and lifelong learning skills that enable all young people to reach their full potential.
Family Services Connection: Supports programs that empower at-risk and homeless youth and young adults, families, and survivors by providing housing, supportive services, and access to mental health services.
Wambli Ska Teen Center: Supports a safe, supportive space where Native youth reconnect with their purpose and build self-determination allowing them to strive for a life of healing, health, and wellness.
Inspired by the community’s interest in the issue, the Rapid City Arts Council will help spark conversations about youth mental wellness through an interactive pop-up exhibit. The exhibit, the “Inside Out Tree,” will connect youth to resources while encouraging open conversations about mental wellness. Led by local artist Mickey MacKaben, the pop-up will open on October 10, 2025 in the lobby of the Dahl Arts Center.
The next annual Thriving Communities survey will open in the spring of 2026 on BHACF’s website. It will allow community members to vote for a new cause to receive at least $100,000 in grants. To learn more about the Initiative, please visit our Thriving Communities Initiative page.