Abbott House Announces Successful Sioux Falls Capital Campaign
– By #Abbott House
MITCHELL, SD – With the help of more than 60 generous donors, Abbott House has completed a $2 million Capital Campaign to open two more Bridges Therapeutic Foster Homes in Sioux Falls, SD. Abbott House kicked off this expansion effort in November of 2023 with a goal to raise $2 million and open two more therapeutic foster homes by the summer of 2024.
Eric Klooz, the Abbott House Executive Director, said, “In less than 9 months, the South Dakota community came together to give foster children homes and surpassed our fundraising goal!”
“These new homes will welcome boys and girls from the Sioux Falls community who have no safe place to call home,” Klooz said. “With these therapeutic foster homes nestled discreetly in safe Sioux Falls neighborhoods, our kids can experience a stable and loving home life.” Abbott House employs foster parent(s) to live in each home and provide a family atmosphere for up to six children at one time.
“We know Sioux Falls has a need for our services,” Klooz shared. “There are many kids in the Sioux Falls area that deserve to stay in their community, experience a safe family, and be given a chance to show how successful they can be.”
While children are living in Abbott House therapeutic foster homes, they go to public schools, participate in sports and extra-curricular activities, and are required to attend at least one individual therapy session a week, as well as one family therapy session a week. “This helps our kids adjust to their new home, as well as heal the wounds they gained before coming into our care,” Klooz said. “In addition, our foster families spend time every month volunteering with their kids at various community programs.”
Of course, Abbott House still wants kids to be kids. “We encourage our kids to get involved at school,” Tyson Schulz, Bridges Therapeutic Foster Homes Director, said. “That includes sports, clubs, volunteer work, music—anything they show interest in, we encourage them to experience.”
The two new Sioux Falls Bridges Therapeutic Foster Homes are set to start welcoming children in the next two weeks. This will give young people time to settle into their new homes, get to know their foster parents, and get ready to start a new school year on the right foot.
“I want to extend a special thank you to all the businesses and individuals who supported this project,” Klooz said, “you are the reason that twelve young children will have homes and hope.”
The full comprehensive list of supporters for this project can be found on our website at www.abbotthouse.org/ways-to-support-abbott-house/foster-homes-capital-campaign/.
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