Name: Loree Crawford

Years at CHS: 18 yrs. + 9 months, adjusted time, employed since May 2004

Current Position: Family Engagement Specialist, Community Health Worker with Community Based Services, Children’s Home Society, Rapid City.

Tell us about your family, including pets
Doug and I have been married for 45 yrs. and have lived in Rapid City the whole time. We have 2 adult children, Chris, and Erin. Chris lives in Rapid City, works in Electronics at Wal-Mart and is very active with Dungeons and Dragons, as an original campaign author and a Dungeon Master, (DM) online and in person. Erin has her own video editing business, “EC Productions,” in Aberdeen, SD. Erin creates motion graphics, edits various biographies, news programs, advertising and mini documentaries. Our cat for 12 years, Large Marge, has been missing for 2 months now, and we miss her.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up mainly in Hot Springs SD, graduated high school there. However, for 2 years ’73-’74 we were in Anchorage Alaska.

What are some of your favorites:

-Movies? There are so many…. But the first one to come to mind, “Field of Dreams” or any Kevin Costner, Nicholas Cage, or Robert Redford movie. I do love “movies about dogs” like Togo, Balto, etc. and sports movies with the “rags to riches” theme.

-TV shows? I like streaming series of shows. Outlander, Virgin River, Vikings, Mandalorian etc.—a wide variety of shows. Mainly historical fiction, Cultural storylines. I am watching “This is Us” right now.

-Books? I like to read articles, professional and personal, not necessarily a whole book. I have the Outlander books and hope to read them sometime.

-Musicians? Soft Rock, I listen to Sirius, “The Bridge” channel. Occasional ‘70’s rock is fun to listen to as well.

-Sports or teams? Colorado Rockies Baseball, 8 or 9 Ball Pool leagues, NASCAR Racing.

What are your hobbies?
Depending on the mood, crocheting, gardening, antiquing or flea markets.

What’s something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I learned to play pool when I was 11 yrs. old, my stepdad taught me. I have played in Las Vegas for the Women’s International 8 Ball Team Tournament held in May of each year. The two times I went, my team had placed 2nd in the State 8 Ball “B” Tournament for SD, therefore earning our spot in the International Tournament.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
-From my faith, reading/studying the Bible, looking for verses to fit various situations, my favorite verse “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” is what I use daily.

-From work, I like to remember advice given to me by Freddy when my brain is overloaded. “Focus on your current folder.” Our brains are like a filing cabinet, file your tasks accordingly by working those immediate tasks first and file the rest in the cabinet (brain) until the time is right to address those tasks.

What are some of the changes you have seen over your years with CHS?
Hands down, TBRI. When Trust Based Relational Intervention strategies were introduced there were many questions and struggles with how the strategies work. With consistent training, practice and leadership, the relationships made within the Children’s Home family have grown significantly. These relationships reflect positively the care of the children we provide as well.

Can you share a special memory or two from your time with CHS?
When Barb Rostad worked as a relief worker as I did in 2004-5, we would see who could work the most hours in a week. Barb always won! Barb had so much spirit and fun with our kids and staff at Black Hills Children’s Home. Barb would plan fun weekend activities for the whole campus, whether it was summer water balloons, going to the lake, offering bottles of water for the bikers during the Sturgis Rally, or planning a “homestyle” Thanksgiving dinner, prepared at Tully House, we all had fun! Through the years, the various activities have changed, but Barb’s spirit is still there!!

Do you have any advice for newly hired employees?
Give yourself GRACE. Working with children who have suffered trauma have moments where they are not able to cope or calm down at times. Follow your TBRI training, practice phrases, be consistent and caring, but most importantly, Laugh Often and Have Fun!

Is there anything else you’d like to say about your time at CHS?
Just like a family, CHS employees experience camaraderie, fun times, sad times and difficult change times. Just like a strong family, those difficulties are managed and able to be addressed, or solved. I strive to model to others, our mission—to prevent, treat and heal trauma. We are better together, we choose kindness and we are tenacious with our work, our mission, our vision and our values. Never give up.