Commander Flynn Reporting for Duty

On January 14, CHS Vice President of Development Kara Flynn was named to a two-year term as an Honorary Commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The Honorary Commanders Program is designed to foster positive relationships between Air Force leaders and civilian community leaders in the Black Hills area. Candidates are selected carefully, and installation is considered an honor.

“I am honored to be chosen to participate in this program so I can help Children’s Home Society become more connected to our neighbors at Ellsworth Air Force base,” Kara says.

“My father was a medical officer in the U.S. Army and my brother was born at Fort Bragg,” Kara adds. “So there is some family history with the military.”

Civilian participants are paired with an officer, meeting twice monthly, visiting and attending events in each other’s communities. Kara will work with Lt. Col. Sean Estrada of the 28^th Healthcare Operations Squadron through 2027. “He has a PhD in biomedical engineering from Rice University,” Kara said.

The 28^th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office works in concert with Elevate Rapid City, Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition, base and community leaders ... read more.

SAVE THE DATE 

We can’t wait to honor CHS service award winners, and announce the Employee of the Year and Rising Star at the Employee Appreciation events! Don’t miss it!

• BHCH staff will be celebrating on Tuesday, February 4, from 5:30-9 PM at the Rushmore Hotel. 
• SFCH and Shelter staff will meet on Thursday, February 13, from 5:30-9 PM at the Sanford Event Barn. 

We are planning to have gluten-free and vegan meals available. If you have dietary needs outside of those restrictions, please contact Erica Krohn no later than Friday, January 24

Congrats Grads!

You can achieve anything with hard work, determination and dedication. Those three pillars of success are officially paying off for six studious CHS employees who are joining the CHSU graduates’ club this week. Congratulations to:

• Breckin Steilen, Assistant Program Supervisor, Shelter
• Ericka Bohle, Assistant Director of Schools, Sioux Falls
• Gwen Betz, Assistant Program Supervisor, Shelter
• Jon Mammenga, CPO
• Krista Buchholz, Assistant Program Supervisor, Shelter
• Shannon Clark, CFO

If you are interested in CHSU, click here for more information, or talk with your supervisor and watch for application announcements.
Click here to see more photos!

ASK US: YOU ASK, WE ANSWER! 

Thank you for your questions and patience as we get through answering them all. Here is this week’s question. Q: Do the add-on comments in the Employee Engagement Survey get reviewed/taken seriously? Click here for the answer.

CHS Scrapbook

“We are so lucky to have another blessing in our family,” said Assistant Program Director of Bright Start Kathy Schneider. Harvey Hugo
Schneider entered the world on Monday, January 13. Only a week old and he is already incredibly loved by his sisters, Octavia and Piper. See photos here!