Nonprofit leads fundraiser to help with permanent home

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A nonprofit is leading a $1.25 million fundraising campaign to help with a permanent home in Sioux Falls.

Programs by Lutheran Social Services are currently spread across three sites, the Argus Leader (https://argusne.ws/23jho2l ) reports. Funds raised will go toward purchasing and refurbishing Kilian Community College, with a cost of $5.4 million.

Among clients of Lutheran Social Services are low-income families, non-English-speaking refugees, and kids who need mentors.

“It makes us much more efficient than scattered all over town,” campaign co-chair Tom Dempster said. “It just puts us right in the middle of town, just where we want to be.”

The building is still being used by Kilian, but plans announced by officials call for the school’s closure when the spring semester ends.

The start of the campaign, which goes through July, was celebrated Monday by the nonprofit and Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce representatives. Chamber board chair Paul Bruflat says chamber representatives agreed to help with fundraising because the new campus could aid the economy.

“This is a piece to developing workforce that we all need in this town,” Bruflat said. “To keep it growing, to keep it moving.”

Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, vice president of community services for the nonprofit, says the move to Kilian will mean added classes and better coordination between programs. Her division would be together in a single space with the move, including mentoring, financial services and counseling.

“Being able to just move a client across the hallway is really advantageous,” Kiesow-Knudsen said.

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Information from: Argus Leader, https://www.argusleader.com