The work we do here at CHS can be stressful at times. We constantly hear about challenging topics and treat vulnerable children and their families who are struggling and in need of help. Hearing people's trauma and trying to help guide them through their healing journeys can take its toll on us and eventually lead to burnout. This is why it’s imperative to find moments throughout the day that make us smile and raise our spirits.

In Heartfelt Moments By Staff, we encourage everyone to share the subtle reminders the universe sends us when we have those demanding days.

September 8, 2025

Heartfelt Moments: Birthday Joy

Birthdays are special occasions in our lives, and they deserve to be celebrated—even in the most difficult times. So, what happens when one of our clients in our care has a birthday? Our team consistently goes above and beyond to find creative ways to make every client feel seen, valued and appreciated on their important day.

Crisis Advocate Maddie Cheever recently welcomed a new client to Shelter for Family Safety the night before their child’s birthday. With little time to prepare, staff quickly came together to create a joyful celebration. Read Maddie’s note below.

Hey, everyone,

I’m back with another birthday joy moment!

Today was one of our newest clients’ birthdays. The child and his dad came to Shelter last night, and we didn't realize until today that it was his birthday. We were unable to get a cake request in on time, but Intern Jenna Roach and I found some birthday presents for boy, and Cook Reanna Mennis found some cookies and ice cream to give them. I’d like to give both Jenna and Reanna a huge shout-out for their help!

The little boy was shocked to get presents, and his dad was very thankful and in tears when he saw what we did for his son.

This is tough work, but every person plays a role in making a day memorable. Even if it's a habit for us, it's extraordinary for them!

Maddie Cheever

June 24, 2025

Heartfelt Moments: Hope for a Home

Shelter for Family Safety Case Manager Shay Graves recently received a heartfelt thank you note from a client who’s grateful for the care and support they received during their stay. When the client arrived at Shelter, they had just started a new job and while the new paycheck marked a fresh start, it also made them ineligible for many local resources due to income guidelines. Shay stepped in to help them navigate this challenge—and 25 days later, the client was able to continue their pathway to success. Here is Shay’s note.

Hello,

One of my clients has been staying at the Shelter for 25 days. When the client first arrived, they had recently started at a new job. Because of their new monthly income, they no longer qualified for many local resources. I told them I would do my best to help navigate the situation.

They were worried about saving enough money for a deposit and first month’s rent. I explained that Shelter services are free, and if they could make progress toward housing and had a move-in date on the horizon, I could try to find a way to extend their stay beyond the standard 30 days.

Yesterday, they shared great news—they had saved up enough while staying at the Shelter and secured a rent-to-own home. Both my client and their child are over the moon to be given this opportunity. They asked me to share their sincere thanks and gratitude for the Shelter and staff who helped make it possible for them to succeed.

These success stories are why we do what we do. I love sharing moments like this and wish my client all the best as they continue on their journey! It warms my heart every time I have clients depart successfully.

June 2, 2025

Heartfelt Moments: A Stellar Review

We love hearing from our clients about how they are doing as they continue on their path forward. A few weeks ago, we received a heartfelt note from a Bright Start client about the program and Nurse Home Visitor Amanda Tilberg.

The client described how the Bright Start program changed their life. They also mentioned that, at first, they were hesitant about a stranger entering their home, but Amanda built a relationship based on trust, respect and genuine care.

After reading the review, Amanda said this: “It makes the hard days’ worth it.”

Bright Start Program:

Participating in the Bright Start Program was an invaluable experience that provided both practical support and emotional encouragement during a critical time in my life. One of the most beneficial aspects of the program was the home visits conducted by a knowledgeable and compassionate nurse. In the early days of adjusting to life with a newborn, it was extremely helpful to have someone come to my home, especially when leaving the house felt challenging. The nurse was well-informed on a wide range of topics related to postpartum care, child development, and local resources. Her guidance helped me feel more confident and equipped as a new parent.

Another strength of the program was its goal-setting and incentive system. This feature encouraged me to work toward personal and parenting goals, with a variety of meaningful incentives available as motivation. The program also introduced me to numerous community resources that I may not have discovered on my own. Overall, Bright Start provided comprehensive support tailored to my individual needs and circumstances. I would highly recommend this program to other new parents seeking reliable, professional, and compassionate assistance during the early stages of parenthood.

Nurse Amanda:

When I first began the Bright Start Program, I was hesitant about having someone new enter my home. I felt guarded and unsure of what to expect from the experience. However, over time, Amanda completely transformed my outlook. What started as a professional visit slowly turned into a relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine care. Amanda not only earned my trust, but she became a friend in many ways—like a second mother to me.

Amanda consistently demonstrated compassion, warmth, and professionalism at every visit. No matter what was happening in her own life, she always arrived with a positive attitude and a comforting presence. She created a safe and non-judgmental environment where I felt truly seen and heard. Her ability to validate my experiences, no matter how big or small, helped me feel less alone and more empowered as both a woman and a mother.

What truly sets Amanda apart is her depth of knowledge and her extensive experience. She is incredibly well-informed about health, parenting, and local resources. She was always prepared to answer my questions with clarity and confidence. More than that, she took the time to explain things in ways that made sense to me, always making sure I felt informed and supported. Her guidance was not only rooted in professional training but also in a sincere desire to see me and my child thrive.

If you are ever fortunate enough to have Amanda as your nurse, consider it a profound gift. She brings more than just expertise—she brings heart, wisdom, and unwavering support. Amanda made a lasting impact on my life and I am deeply grateful for the role she played in my journey through motherhood. Her presence in the Bright Start Program is truly a blessing to the families she serves.

Amanda's dedication went far beyond her role as a nurse—she became a source of strength and reassurance when I needed it most and I am truly grateful for everything she did for me and my family.

March 11, 2025

Heartfelt Moment: Houseless Family Finds a Home

We need to remember to take time to acknowledge the wins we have throughout our day. It doesn’t matter how big or small that victory may be, it’s still a step in the right direction. Let’s take a moment to celebrate Family Engagement Specialist Loree Crawford’s recent win!

Loree is working with a client who has been houseless for the past 14 months. After much searching, patience and hope, her client was recently able to find and move into the perfect home for her and her family. Here is Loree’s story.

Hello,

I have some incredible news to share! All paperwork and housing assistance are in place and at 4:10 pm, my young mom, “S” received the keys to her first independent home—a three-bedroom, two-bath, first-floor apartment!

S and her two children will have their own bedrooms AND will be on the first floor for safety, which is great because her son loves to climb.

Normally, S doesn’t show emotion about anything—she is on the Autism Spectrum so normally her expressions are blunt. However, today I could hear it in her voice, she was extremely excited!

This is what tenacity, working together, being kind and believing can really do to help others. This is such a great achievement, and I’m thrilled to have overcome almost a year’s worth of hard work! Thank you for celebrating this huge accomplishment with CHS Family Engagement.

It takes a village to raise parents and children from hard places, and it’s amazing to see them reach their dreams! I’m grateful to everyone involved in helping S find a home. I know I couldn’t have helped S get into her new apartment without everyone’s assistance!

The most important takeaway from today is that a mother who was houseless and had no hope of getting a home 12 months ago, is now in a nice, safe home with her children. S found her path to HOPE and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Loree

February 17, 2025

Heartfelt Moment: Valentine’s Day Colors

When you think of the typical Valentine’s Day colors, you may be inclined to say red, pink or white. But a few kiddos at BHCH have a different idea of what those colors should be.

Recently, a few volunteer groups stopped by Rockerville to make heart-shaped crafts and decorate cookies with the kids. One of the volunteers was Vice President of Development Kara Flynn. Being a boy mom herself, she decided to sit with a group of young men and help them with their cookies and crafts.

Last weekend I helped the volunteer groups that came in to do Valentine’s crafts and treats with the kids. I sat with a group of boys, and after they frosted their heart-shaped cookies and decorated them with LOTS of sprinkles, they turned their attention to decorating Valentine frames and wooden ornaments with stickers and markers. They all wanted to use these gem stickers that came in many colors.

At our table, we had gold and silver gem sticker sheets, but I went around to the other tables and grabbed additional colors. As they were decorating, we talked about Valentine’s Day colors and how typically they are red, pink, white and sometimes purple.

“What color are you going to make your hearts?” I asked the table.

Some children answered “red” but one little boy—Kiddo A—said, “I’m going to use purple because purple is the color for CHS!”

This sparked a conversation amongst the boys about how CHS is a place of love for the children who are in our care.

A different child—Kiddo B—spoke up and said, “Well actually the CHS logo is purple, white and black.”

“Then I’ll use purple and white,” said the Kiddo A. “You can’t use black because then it would be a broken heart.”

I love how observant these kids are! It warms my heart that they connected purple with both Children's Home and Valentine's Day. I was also pleased to learn that you can never have too many sprinkles on your cookie!

February 10, 2025

Heartfelt Moment: Being the Impact

This Heartfelt Moment is brought to us by Business Office Coordinator Jennifer Laatsch. Jennifer works out of the new Rapid City campus and one of her responsibilities is helping check in clients when they come for outpatient clinic services. Recently, Jennifer was feeling under the weather and needed to take a sick day. When she returned to the office, one of her colleagues told her that one little client was very displeased that she was out sick. Here is Jennifer’s story.

Hello,

I had a great experience with a client not long ago and I wanted to share it with you. We have one client in our outpatient clinic that I am always so happy to see! We always have great conversations, and they are so smart. Upon meeting them, they told me about wanting to be a doctor one day and what type of doctor. Working in a variety of healthcare settings, I was able to give the kiddo insider information on some of the doctors and what they do. We really made a connection, and after that, we were always excited to see each other during their appointments and before they went back.

Unfortunately, I was out sick one day, and the day I was out was when this child came in for their appointment. They noticed right away that I was not there for our chats, and it had an effect on them. I did not know this until I came back, and my nurse told me about it and how the kiddo was not impressed with my absence. Many of the kids we see are children with special needs or autism and they thrive on structure and stability. I did not know the impact I had on them until after this incident.

What this taught me was that no matter what position we hold at Children's Home Society—a receptionist or a CEO—we make an impact on children every day. It is important to be the impact! It also taught me to use more hand sanitizer, so I don't get sick!