News & Events
Helpline Center’s news and events are the critical link between great community and the programs Helpline Center is involved in.
The Helpline Center is partnering with the United Way for the Huron Day of Caring. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12th, 2025. A variety of projects will be available to be completed that day, and participants can register as groups or individuals.
Some projects will be available at other times if this day does not work for you or the group.
To register by phone, call 211. Contact the United Way at (605) 352-3537 or by email at uwhuronsd@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
The Nonprofit Exchange is a monthly gathering designed to bring together nonprofit, social service, and human service organizations in a collaborative, supportive environment. Our goal is to foster meaningful connections, encourage knowledge sharing, and strengthen the impact of those dedicated to serving the Sioux Falls community. Join us to learn, connect, and make a difference—together.
The Helpline Center will host two in-person events on Thursday, November 6, 2025 in Sioux Falls with film and television actor and mental health advocate Sean Astin. You probably know him from Rudy, The Goonies, Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things, and we are pleased to welcome him to our community. He’ll share his personal stories of living with a mother who suffered from bipolar disorder (the late Patty Duke). You’ll have two options to see him in Sioux Falls that day. First he’ll speak during a ticketed luncheon event at The Catelin Hotel (formerly Hilton Garden Inn downtown). Then that evening he’ll speak at a free event at O’Gorman High School. Both events are open to the general public and Sean will do photos and autographs afterwards. Click the links below for additional details on each event. The Helpline Center’s speaker series is made possible through funds raised from The 437 Project.
Click below for more information or to register for either event:
The Helpline Center is excited to announce that with its partnership with the Department of Social Services (DSS), during the month of May there is a powerful piece of art at the Washington Pavilion, featuring over 13,000 unique sticky notes. Each note represents a call, text, or chat received by South Dakota’s 988 Helpline in 2024, symbolizing lives touched by compassionate, professional support during moments of crisis.
“The Helpline Center is immensely proud of the success of the 988 phone number and our partnership with the Department of Social Services,” said Janet Kittams, chief executive officer at The Helpline Center. “Most importantly, the 13,000 sticky notes represent that 988 counselors at the Helpline Center were there when people needed help the most.”
The installation, adorned with positive affirmations inspired by DSS’s Division of Behavioral Health “Notes to Self” campaign, aims to reduce stigmas around mental health and celebrate resilience. Launched in 2023, the “Notes to Self” campaign encourages open conversations about mental and behavioral health in South Dakota.
“The Notes to Self campaign uses real stories to inspire real people,” DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff said. “South Dakotans are able to see themselves in the stories and messages portrayed. If they are struggling, they see they are not alone. We hope the connection they feel will invite that struggling individual to reach out for help.”
The Washington Pavilion art installation is open throughout May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. A kick-off reception was held earlier this week to help raise awareness and highlight 988’s vital role in South Dakota. The public is invited to view the display, learn its purpose, and join the movement to destigmatize behavioral health support.
Click here to view a video about the display.
The Helpline Center is proud to join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month this May. First recognized in 1949, this month-long observance aims to highlight the importance of mental well-being, reduce stigma, and celebrate the strength found in recovery. In continued support of this goal, the Helpline Center is offering several opportunities for the community to get involved and help promote mental health awareness:
- Inspirational Yard Signs: Community members and businesses are invited to display free 988 yard signs with various inspirational messages to show their support for mental wellness. Signs can be requested online at helplinecenter.org/988-promotion and picked up at Helpline Center offices in Sioux Falls or Rapid City.
- Free Mental Health 101 Trainings: As part of the Sioux Falls Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Helpline Center will help host two Mental Health 101 training sessions that are free and open to the public.
- Monday, May 6 from 10–11 a.m. at the Downtown Library in Sioux Falls (200 N Dakota Ave)
- Monday, May 27 from 5–6 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church (5509 W 41st St, Sioux Falls)
These informative sessions aim to educate participants about mental health is, coping skills, signs and symptoms, how to help, and available resources. Registration is not required for these in-person trainings (www.helplinecenter.org/trainings).
The Helpline Center also reminds the community that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, a mental health crisis, or substance use issues. People can also call, text or chat 988 if they are concerned about a loved one who may need help, even if the situation isn’t an immediate crisis or if it’s simply to gather mental health resources or information.
“Mental Health Awareness Month gives us a meaningful opportunity to support one another, spread awareness, and share vital resources with our communities,” said Janet Kittams, CEO of the Helpline Center. “Together, we can create a culture where mental health is prioritized and no one feels alone.”
Free marketing materials are also available all year long on the Helpline Center’s website for 988, 211 and general agency information as well. Click here to request a 988 yard sign or other free marketing materials.
Join the Helpline Center in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of volunteers as we celebrate Global Volunteer Month through April.
This month, we’ll celebrate volunteers in the Black Hills and Sioux Empire at our Spirit of Volunteerism event on Wednesday, April 16 in Sioux Falls, and Tuesday, April 22 in Rapid City. Between the two events, we will be honoring 142 individuals, groups and businesses making an impact on their communities. Please visit our website at www.helplinecenter.org/sva to learn more about these exemplary honorees.
This month we’ll honor SALSA (Serve And Learn Student Association) students who have volunteered at least 50 hours this past year at a special event for them and their families, hosted by Citi. SALSA connects area high school students with opportunities to serve by engaging them in Volunteerism. Currently, there are over 600 participants at eight high schools in the Sioux Empire area. To learn more about the SALSA program, please visit Here.
The Helpline Center Volunteer Connections program provides the critical link between those who want to volunteer and the agencies that need them. The Volunteer Connections program manages an online database of thousands of volunteer opportunities throughout the state of South Dakota. To learn about volunteering, please call the Helpline Center at 211 or you can search for volunteer opportunities online by visiting volunteer.helplinecenter.org. If your agency is seeking volunteers, you can register on the volunteer database at volunteer.helplinecenter.org
Helpline Center Volunteer Connections also provides volunteer manager support, including volunteer manager trainings. Volunteer Engagement 101 will empower participants to better manage volunteers for more effective results. This virtual training will take place May21-22. To learn more or to register for this training, Click Here.
Mental Health First Aid focuses on how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.
This training gives participants the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
This Helpline Center training is free, but registration is requested. Sign up onlineor contact Adelina by email.
See other mental health trainings here.
Join us as we come together to recognize and sing the praises of incredible volunteers in our communities. Let’s celebrate their hard work and commitment to making a difference! The Spirit of Volunteerism events will take place in Sioux Falls on April 16 from 7:30am – 9:00am at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, and in Rapid City April 22 from 8:00am – 9:30am at the Double Tree by Hilton (formerly the Holiday Inn Downtown).
Click here to view nominees or get tickets for the 2025 Spirit of Volunteerism events.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities. By giving their time and talent, these groups and inviduals are set out to truly make a difference in the world. The Volunteer of the Month is an area-wide award program presented by the Helpline Center. The Volunteer of the Month Award is given to an individual, or a group of individuals, who exhibit an outstanding commitment to volunteer service. One award is given to a winner each month in the Sioux Empire and Black Hills.
The Helpline Center sends out the Volunteer of the Month Nomination Form to area non-profit agencies each year. A winner is selected out of the nominations for each month, and a surprise celebration is held for the volunteer at the agency where the winner chooses to give their time.
Click here to see our recent Volunteers of the Month.
Butterfly Release on Nov. 23
To commemorate International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday, November 23, the Helpline Center is hosting a butterfly release on that day for families who’ve lost loved ones to suicide. The free event will take place at 1:00pm at the Butterfly House and Aquarium located at 4320 S Oxbow Avenue in Sioux Falls. Registration is requested at https://helplinecenter.jotform.com/233036026905854.
Grief is a natural response to loss, but it can be an incredibly challenging and complex process — especially when the loss is due to suicide. This day and special event provides an opportunity for those who have lost a loved one to suicide to come together and grieve. There’s no knowing how someone will react or cope after a suicide. We all grieve in our own way and at our own pace. While grief can be painful and challenging, it also can carry several benefits.
- Acknowledging Pain: It is essential for survivors to have a space and time to acknowledge their pain. It validates their emotions and experiences while helping them understand that it’s okay to have these feelings.
- Healing and Recovery: Grieving provides an opportunity for survivors to process their emotions, which is a vital step in the healing and recovery process. This allows them to work through complex feelings, such as guilt, anger, sadness or confusion — which are all common after a suicide loss.
- Community and Support: A designated time for grieving, like Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, allows people to connect with others who have experienced similar loss. Shared experiences can offer a huge source of support and comfort.
- Remembering and Honoring: Grieving isn’t just about dealing with the pain but also remembering and honoring those we’ve lost. To keep their legacies alive and share their memory.
For more information about survivor resources in South Dakota, click here or call 988.
