Hello everyone,
It is hard to believe that another year is almost at an end. We close out 2025 with both our continued grief of not having our Ben with us but also with much joy as our grandchildren keep us on our toes.
For you, our family, friends and supporters, we are grateful and blessed to have you in our lives!
Since the golf tournament in July, the foundation has been busy. We have opened doors to sponsor/collaborate on new and different opportunities which we feel will bring more awareness to the mental health crisis in the state of South Dakota. But, more importantly, show those who are struggling that there are people who understand.
The Longley Foundation is sponsoring a statewide Mental Health Awareness mural campaign. Each university or college is invited to create a mural that reflects what mental health and mental illness mean within their campus community. Each piece should be accompanied by a brief story explaining its meaning, as well as a title for the mural.
Working under the direct guidance of the university’s counseling department, the institution’s art programs will collaborate on the creation and development of their mural. These will then be anonymously shown to the entire university student body across all SD campuses for their vote. The winning entry will be the chosen mural for the year. The first university to have the mural placed on their campus will be South Dakota State University, regardless of what school wins.
The best part is that this mural will then be drawn across individual canvases and each school will get to paint their piece of the mural following the original design, just like a jigsaw puzzle. When all pieces are completed, they will be joined together to make one united mural.
A signing book will be placed alongside the completed and mounted mural for people who look at the mural to leave a comment about what the mural represents or means to them.
For year two and beyond, the same concept will continue, with a different campus selected as the host site for the mural.
Together students are stronger and can achieve great things when they work as one united entity. Our hope is that this initiative will also foster meaningful collaboration with Lost&Found campus chapters as the project grows.
The second project the foundation worked on was to create an affirmation card which depicts the Both/And emotions people can have and still feel they are worthy. We have had such an overwhelming response for these little wallet sized cards. They are currently being printed and will be mailed to all schools, universities etc. who have already requested them.. Our next goal is to keep creating the same message on posters. The wording may vary depending on where the posters are going and the age group they will be serving.
If you know of any organization who may like to carry these little cards and give them to those who could use them, please do not hesitate to send them my way:
Next year, we are looking to move the Longball 22 Golf Classic to a date later in July or the beginning of August 2026. We will keep you posted with more details as things are decided. We are currently exploring a few options as we are always looking for ways to make the event enjoyable for all while honoring and remembering our Ben and all the other loved ones gone to soon due to the tragedy of suicide.
AMAZING UPDATES FOR THE REACH IN PROGRAM
What started out as an idea then grew into a dream and finally a reality is how the Reach In program started. Well, the ideas and the dreams have never stopped for Chantelle, Angela and me. Questions kept coming up, meetings kept taking place and our minds kept spinning…… Three ladies with a lot of grief know how important it is to serve those struggling with mental illnesses and suicidal ideation no matter their age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, race etc. These factors do not play any role in the Caring Companion Program.
So…….
In January 2026, we will be bringing our program and our Caring Companion family to our new partnerships with Volunteers of America (VOA) and Avera Addiction and Rehabilitation Center. (AACC)
Sincere thanks go to Mallie Kludt, Chief Operating Officer and Dennis Hoffman, President and CEO of VOA. We are honored to be working alongside those you serve.
We would also like to thank Tony Dreyer, Nursing Director at AACC for allowing us to bring our companions to the AACC Campus.
The final meetings of how we can best serve clients in these programs will be held at the beginning of January 2026 and we are hoping to get companions into the facilities before the end of the month.
We would never have been able to get this program started without a few people believing in us and taking a chance on our dream. Sincere thanks to Thomas Otten, Dr. David Ermer and Dr. Wallace Jackmon for your unbending support and friendship. Our relationship with Avera can only keep growing stronger.
On November 10, 2025, our fifth Caring Companion training took place. It was a wonderful day with our friends and the best professionals in their fields of expertise giving their time to the incoming volunteers. Thank you Mary Weber, Sergeant Tarah Walton, Thomas Otten and Kristi Miller for giving of your time and expertise.
There were eight new companions who attended the training. We are incredibly proud of the Reach In program and the positive impact it is providing those fighting mental illness.
We were delighted to be able to offer an additional training to our volunteers on November 11, 2025. The topic: Therapeutic Conversations. Our sincere thanks to Christa Sobocinski for her expertise and for sharing many helpful examples of how we, as companions, can handle uncomfortable and inappropriate conversations when/if they occur during our time with patients. I know we all learned a lot and are grateful to have a few extra tools in our bank of knowledge.
Working closely with Avera Behavioral Health (ABH) in providing Caring Companions to those struggling, our companions remain going to ABH on a weekly basis to offer the gift of their time to inpatients across six units, from seniors to adults, to adolescents and finally children. The feedback from patients and Caring Companions alike continues to be positive.
Our volunteer base now consists of thirty-one Caring Companions, with seven more signed up to take part in the April 2026 training. If you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about the program, please have them reach out to Chantelle, Angela or Leigh.
Chantelle: [email protected]
Angela: [email protected]
Leigh: [email protected]
Dates for future training:
April – April 1, 2026
July – To be decided
November – To be decided
We are delighted to introduce you to Sue and Harlan Domeyer as our featured companions for December.
Sue and Harlan are both retired and only live in Sioux Falls for the warmer parts of the year. When the weather gets chilly, they, together with their two dogs, Archie and Ruby head for the warmth of Arizona.
This has not stopped Sue and Harlan from being a huge part of the Caring Companion program. They have been with us from the very first training back in April 2024. If you were ever to meet Sue and Harlan, you would see their giving hearts. Serving others, when mental illness starts to affect the lives of those struggling, is very important to this couple.
“Meeting people where they are at in their journey is the best gift we can offer. Our time and our compassion…. Priceless.”
Harlan has been most comfortable visiting the adult units at ABH. He loves to color and chat with those who join him on his visits. If you have never met Harlan, he is one of the most laid back and gentle man you will ever meet. Thank you Harlan for bringing your quiet and calm presence to the patients you see.
Sue has been a little more adventurous in her visits and although the adult units are where she feels most at ease, Sue has also visited with the senior patients. I have had the privilege of working beside Sue when she was a CASA volunteer. What started as a case manager/volunteer relationship, quickly turned into a lifelong friendship. Like her husband, Sue does not have anything but respect and enormous compassion for those she visits with.
Thank you Harlan and Sue for all you for the Reach In program.
As previously mentioned in this newsletter, The Longley Foundation is hopeful that Lost and Found will join in the Mural Art Program across the campuses of South Dakota colleges. It has been a pleasure getting to collaborate with Carrie Jorgenson on this potential project. We look forward to seeing where this incredible program may lead.
The Reach In program will continue to send care packages to families who are left as survivors of suicide after the death of their loved one. These will be sent across the state of South Dakota on a request received basis from Survivors Joining for Hope.
Fundraiser at McKenzie River event occurred. The turnout was great and we are excited for the next event!
Our vision is to bring personal advocacy and companionship to our community in support of those living with a mental illness. No matter what their struggles, people need to know they are worthy, and they are seen. Life can hold meaning and they are valued. We aim to be part of a team surrounding someone in mental anguish and help prevent their thoughts from reaching the point where suicide feels like the only way to stop the pain. Nobody should feel they have to face life alone! Should a family suffer the tragedy of suicide, our Reach In Program will offer support and provide Caring Baskets to families so they too know they do not have to face the pain alone.
Together we can work together to make tomorrows brighter for those living with mental illness.
# change the narrative, end the stigma!!
Wishing everyone a very blessed Festive Season. May the time you spend with your loved ones be time for memories to be made, laughter to be enjoyed and love shared by all.
Best Wishes
Paul, Leigh and the Board of the Longley Foundation