He read his poem, “Advocates,” at the kick-off of the A-Team Black Hills, a local chapter of a national grassroots advocacy group in Rapid City. The poem now appears on the group’s national website.

Heather and JJ sent copies of the book to many leaders, advocacy organizations and others. JJ was thrilled to receive a letter of thanks from Governor Dennis Daugaard.

The limelight isn’t new to JJ. His poem, “Labels,” was inspired by and written for last year’s Flutter Productions’ performance of OSITY. Along with performing it there, he was also invited to read it at the Great American Book Festival held Labor Day weekend in 2017 at Main Street Square in Rapid City.

The publicity supports JJ’s personal mission. One of the things he hopes to accomplish in his writing is improved understanding of people with disabilities. “I guess that’s why I did the book,” he says.

Celebrating lives of purpose at Black Hills Works, and in our community Fall 2018 | www.blackhillsworks.org

It was standing-room only in the Books-A-Million café on April 20 when the new book of poetry by “JJ” James Janis was released. The purpose of the book, “The Chair is Not Me,” is to raise awareness about people who live with diverse abilities. His dream was a long time in the making.

Janis credits Black Hills Works with helping to form him as a writer. Back in the 1970s, he worked in the Black Hills Works woodworking shop. He says he was often frustrated when there wasn’t enough work to do, so a staff member suggested he spend downtime writing about his frustrations. He says that was the beginning of his journey as a writer.

Janis left Black Hills Works around 1981 seeking more independence. He joined a facility in Boulder, Colorado called Independent Living Center but returned to Black Hills Works in 2010. He chronicled the story of his search for increased independence in a piece called “Boulder” which he and others performed during Flutter Productions’ show, Journeys.

Shortly after returning to Black Hills Works, Janis participated in a journal writing class at the Suzie Cappa Art Center. It renewed his interest in writing, but he says it was Heather Pickering, Artistic Director of Flutter Productions who really inspired him. “She woke up the writer in me. It was like a big flower waiting to bloom with ideas.”

Writing is hard work and for JJ, it has some extra challenges. With help from Pickering and Tammy Murner, the Director of Innovation at Black Hills Works, he’s learning to use an iPad. But his main method of capturing his thoughts continues to be dictating to someone else. This can be frustrating because Janis says, “Ideas come to me at the most inopportune times.”

It took two years of hard work to complete, but with Heather’s help, JJ completed the 18 poems that make up “The Chair is Not Me.” The book was illustrated by Suzie Cappa artists. Since its publication, JJ and Heather have been interviewed about it by local media and South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

3650 Range RoadRapid City, South Dakota 57702

605/343-4550 www.blackhillsworks.org#BHWpurpose

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Black Hills Works athletes bring home medals from USA games

Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDRapid City, SDPermit No. 67

James Janis: A Published Author

Joy, laughter, tears, anticipation, and pride are a few of the emotions experienced by the 4,000 Special Olympic athletes chosen to attend the USA Games in Seattle. Team South Dakota was proudly represented with 51 athletes and 17 coaches from across the state.

Upon arrival, tens of thousands of inspired fans lined the walkways for the opening ceremonies. Energized by the unity, the accomplished athletes stepped onto the national stage to demonstrate the skills and talents they’ve honed through years of practice and commitment.

With an atmosphere of positivity and support, competition was held across 14 Olympic-style team and individual sports. This year, unified team sports were incorporated to engage youth, with and without disabilities, to foster teamwork both on and off the court.

Five athletes from Black Hills Works had the honor of attending. Josh Gilbert, David Tanner, Mike Estman, and Derrick Boegel played on the state softball team while Matt Morin competed in bocce ball. Each athlete brought home medals that they can boast about for years to come.

“This week is about changing lives” said Joe Burmeister, Special Olympics coach. “I got to have a hand in providing lifetime experiences and memories for these athletes who ask for nothing more than to be allowed to compete and to be accepted.”

For 22 South Dakota athletes, this was their first experience with the USA Games; full of new places and new faces. Memories were made while sightseeing, including the Space Needle and a Seattle Mariners baseball game. For many, this is when competition becomes lasting friendship.

Another coach for Team South Dakota, Chad Vanderpoel, summarized the impact of Special Olympics in his blog, “The concept of inclusion and acceptance is a heartbeat heard around the country on this stage and it is spreading to all areas of the globe.”

RISE WITH US: The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

Joe Burmeister and Matt Morin, 2018 Special Olympics

2018 SD Special Olympics Softball Team in Seattle.

Purchase your copy of The Chair is Not Me at the Suzie Cappa Art Center & Gallery at 722 St. Joseph Street in downtown Rapid City!

the chairis not me

“JJ” James Janis

a collection of poems written to inspire people to think about, learn from, and connect to people who are diversely abled.

illustrated by a cadre of diversely abled artists

the works}

Flutter Productions premiered an original production, ZENITH, on June 29th & 30th at the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City. It was the story of a young woman named Mira. Discouraged to study astronomy, she persisted going on a journey to unknown worlds.

Eighteen-year-old ZENITH performer, Alie Martin, said, “An all-ability performance really provides an opportunity for a community to come together and look past something that society has traditionally defined as a flaw. The big connection for me is that a disability is not a flaw and that everyone can perform and everyone should have that opportunity.”

“Watching people celebrate their uniqueness has made me realize how I can let my own uniqueness thrive.” As someone who has struggled with industry standards of body definitions, Martin found a renewed perspective after participating with an all-ability cast. “I was stuck on this idea that I couldn’t be a great dancer unless I looked a certain way. In Flutter, I realized that performance is not defined by how you look; it’s based on the emotions you feel toward that performance.”

Martin described her character, Mira, as being “very spunky and willing to do what she wants” even when others challenge her eccentricities. She identified with her character’s outgoing personality and desire to strike out against the norm. A cast of 30 artists performed in this summer’s production under the artistic direction of Heather Pickering. Each show is tailored to highlight the talents of each performer.

From her involvement with Flutter, Martin plans to continue her journey by pursuing a career in dance therapy to enable people with a disability to “bring dance into their lives and allow them to connect, not only to themselves, but with other people.” Martin has performed in four productions with Flutter since her introduction to the company in 2016. She has made lasting connections with other artists over the years saying, “I have seen the impact that all-ability performances have on our community.”

Over the past ten years, counselor Craig Mullins

and his wife, clinical psychologist Dr. Wendy

Mullins, of LMB Therapy have focused on working

with individuals of all ages who have autism

spectrum disorders and their families. But when

they moved to the Black Hills from Colorado three

years ago, they were hoping to expand their

practice to include an agricultural component,

both to help address the unemployment issues

faced by those with the disorder and to help them

to reap the therapeutic benefits of growing plants.

This presented a great opportunity for Black

Hills Works and LMB Farms to form a partnership

that benefits both parties. We lease them our

greenhouses and in exchange, they will employ

people we support and provide day service

programming to others.

“LMB and Black Hills Works have very parallel missions,We decided rather than have both of us trying to do the same thing, we could form a relationship that allows us both to benefit from the benefits agriculture provides.”

— Brad Saathoff, CEO Black Hills Works

“I think it’s good to give back. I think we’re happier when we give back. Giving back to the community is

good – giving back to people is better,” says Joel Guptill.

Joel has been giving back as a volunteer at Black Hills Works since 2016, first at the Suzie Cappa Art Center on Range Road and later with the Out & About program, accompanying people we support to Rush games and other activities in the community.

While attending the university in New Brunswick, Canada, Joel volunteered for an organization like Black Hills Works, mostly in a program similar to our Out & About program. He regularly accompanied a man with disabilities to community events and joined the man in his weightlifting routine.

When Joel moved to Rapid City to be the assistant pastor of creative arts at Fountain Springs Church, he looked up Black Hills Works online and began volunteering here.

Joel says he enjoys meeting people with disabilities who have all ranges of needs.

He says we can learn from everyone and that “It’s good to get out of our comfort

zone. You get a fresh perspective,” says Joel. He adds that many of us tend to complicate things with our many goals and plans. But the people he has volunteered

with teach us to do otherwise. “They live in the moment,” he says.

Our sincere thanks to you! The ambitious fundraising campaign, “With Purpose, The Campaign for Black Hills Works,” continues to march on towards our goal of raising $10 million. With your help, we are almost 75% of the way there! Donations continue to fund home improvements, support programs and opportunities for the people we support, and soon you will see the expansion of our residential offerings.

Before the end of 2018, we will break ground near The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. A foundation will be laid and a Governor’s home will be built for those being served by the program. This local resource will allow for families to stay together in their recovery.

Even with this progress, we have more to do. If you would like to learn more about how you can help, go to www.blackhillsworks.org/campaign.

The Growing Partnership

Make a gift to Black Hills Works today.

Living in the moment

Campaign Efforts Continue

thanks } The following individuals made a gift to Black Hills Works from May 2018-July 2018. Add your name to the list. Please make a gift today.

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Name(s) as should appear in recognition: ____________________________________________________________ I wish to remain anonymous.

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I have enclosed a check payable to Black Hills Works Foundation.

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Please return this form to Black Hills Works Foundation, 3650 Range Road, Box 2104, Rapid City, South Dakota 57709-2104.

THEATRE PROVIDING A RENEWED PERSPECTIVE

Naidine J. AdamsAmazonSmileAmerican Legion Post 22Carl & Mary BaehlerMark Bailey & Gina Lindquist- BaileyDouglas & Vicki BailieEdwin BakerSecurity First BankDr. Reuben & Marloe BareisPearl BarrettMarilyn BatesJoseph & Tammy BodesonRichard & Cecilia BowmanNorman BsharahDavid & Karen CappaPeter & JoVayne CappaClimate Control Systems & Service, LLCMichael E. Crutcher, DDSMichael & Rebecca DealDean Kurtz ConstructionGolden West Technologies & Internet SolutionsJeff GrablanderGreat Western BankNicole & Mike HaltinerLarry HannanDianne HartsonHelena Moore TrustDave & Carla HillardHome Elegance by Top LineMatthew & Stacy HuetherIndependent Ale HouseBlack Hills Insurance Agency Inc.Mary JohnsonJanet M. KahlerBob KelleyCristy KienzleKilowatt Electric Inc.Knights Of Columbus #8844William & Julie KoppJennifer LandisHoward D. LarsenCharles & Marilyn LindlyChuck & Karen Loomis

Daniel & Merry MaguireKevin & Tami MaguireVelna G. MartinCindy MayesMcKie Ford LincolnMidcontinent CommunicationsMid Continent Testing LaboratoriesStacey MillerModv1Moyle Petroleum/Common CentsClark & Kara MoyleTommy & Brianna MyersNational American UniversityGeorge NielsenPaystubzJanet & Ron PickeringDavid & Patricia PloofRegional HealthWayne & Dorothy RosbyBrad & Karri SaathoffCharlotte SchaubRoger & JoAnne SchriverScull ConstructionMatt & Lynn SimmonsRonald C. SimpsonSharon & Gary SkarsetSouth Canyon Lutheran Church, Piecemakers Quilting GroupSouth Dakota State Council Knights Of Columbus Margret SovigSpecial Olympics Rapid City FlameTheodore Roosevelt Medora FoundationThirsty’sNorma L. Washburn TrustConnie WeberPhillene WeetsWells Fargo Wealth ManagementDr. Roger & Diane WilsonPatricia Wood-Jotblad

In memory of Arthur “Art” SchaubMargaret & John ArnoldGary & Ruth Milliken

In memory of Chuck H. LienLou & Connie Vidal

In memory of Cy CoxChuck & Sybil Rounds

In memory of E Theodore & Blanche SteinbackJohn & Anita Weikel

In memory of Irene PaulsonOrand, Ruth, & Jenny LiebeltLeighton & Sue Lien

In memory of Jesse RiddleJim Lawler

In memory of Richard “Dick” MaguireReyelts Construction

In memory of Richard (Rick) W. KarlenC.A. Bryan

In memory of Steve EberhardDavid Eberhard & Francesca Bargiacchi

In memory of Virgil VoigtVernice Voigt

Joel Guptill receiving August 2016 Volunteer of the Month from the Helpline Center at the Suzie Cappa Center on Range Road.

Alie Martin portraying Mira in ZENITH

Black Hills Energy employees volunteer at LMB Farms.

Flutter Productions was founded in 2008 with the inception of an original production entitled: “Flutter” produced by Black Hills Community Theatre and the Suzie Cappa Art Center. It was the first original, all-ability piece of dance theatre created in the state of South Dakota. The experience illustrated the transformative power of the arts. It was clear that all-ability performance opportunities must continue to flourish. Flutter created an original piece of dance theatre on a biennial basis in Rapid City for several years and extending to Sioux Falls before becoming part of the Black Hills Works family in 2015 and continues to impact, impress and delight our community with multiple performances every year. We are tremendously grateful for the decade’s worth of support, helping to create opportunities for performers of all abilities to soar!

“It has changed my definition of disability.”

It is a joy for Black Hills Works to highlight the accomplishments and successes of the people we serve participating in our all-ability theatre company, Flutter Productions. The experience permeates beyond those that we support and captures the hearts of our fellow community members.