The Longley Foundation
Newsletter
April 2026
Hello to you all,
The temperatures in Florida are in the high 70's this month — delightful with very little humidity. The afternoon rainstorms do remind me of growing up in Africa.
March is a very difficult month for our family. Our Ben should have turned twenty-eight on March 18, 2026. No matter how many years pass, there are always days that bring incredible sadness.
For you, our family, friends and supporters — we are grateful and blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for your love and kindness, and for remembering Ben as the smart, witty and loyal young man he was before he became ill. He fought with all he could to find himself; however, his fractured mind tragically won the war.
What We've Been Up To
A Mural, a Mission, and Cards That Matter
Since our November newsletter, the foundation has remained busy. One truly remarkable thing happening is a friend, Andrew Viera, from Florida, is going to be painting a mural for us to use each year at the Golf Tournament. You see, we don't have any new photos of Ben and I'm sure you can understand how this hurts. A mural is a way we can capture who Ben was in a unique and everlasting art form. Andrew will be coming to Sioux Falls in April of this year, and I know he would love to meet with people who knew Ben. He also likes to play golf — once I know definite dates for his visit, this information will be sent to you.
Statewide Mental Health Mural Campaign
The Longley Foundation is sponsoring a Mental Health Awareness campaign across all South Dakota universities. Each school is invited to create a mural — alongside a story and title — depicting what mental illness and mental health awareness mean on their campus.
Working under the direct leadership of each university's counseling department and art programs, students will design and create their mural. The first campus to host a mural will be South Dakota State University, in the Wellness Center. Submissions are already coming in and the excitement is real.
A signing book will accompany each completed mural, inviting viewers to leave a note about what it means to them.
Together, students are stronger and can achieve great things when they work as one united entity.
Affirmation Cards
The Foundation's affirmation card — depicting the Both/And emotions people can have and still feel they are worthy — is now circulating widely. Cards are currently in the hands of:
- South Dakota State University counseling department
- The Lourdes Center counselors
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln counseling center
- Helpline Center in Sioux Falls
- Lost & Found in Sioux Falls
- Individuals sharing them personally with friends and family
Our next goal is posters. If you know of any organization who may like to carry these cards, please reach out: [email protected]
Longball 22 Golf Classic
Save the Date
Saturday, August 1, 2026 · Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
We've secured August 1st and this year's format is better than ever. Awards, auctions, and celebrations will be held outside on the deck next to the pool — your golf attire is perfect, and you'll have the evening to explore the restaurants and Casino at your own pace.
Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served with drink tickets (number varies by sponsorship level). We heard you about last year's check-in — this year will be different.
Reach In Program
Caring Companions at Work
The greatest gift you can give someone is your time — because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back.
AnonymousOn November 10, 2025, our fifth Caring Companion training took place. Thank you to Mary Weber, Sergeant Tarah Walton, Thomas Otten, and Kristi Miller for giving of your time and expertise. Eight new companions attended. We are incredibly proud of the positive impact this program is having.
We also offered additional Therapeutic Conversations training on November 11, 2025 and again on February 12, 2026 — sincere thanks to Christa Sobocinski for her expertise and helpful examples of how to handle difficult conversations during patient visits.
July '25 – Feb '26
Companions
April Training
To learn more or to refer someone to the program, reach out to our coordinators:
Upcoming Training Dates
Companion Spotlight
Renae Boehmer
Director, Holy Playground Initiative · SD Synod ELCA
Caring Companion since early 2025
My name is Renae Boehmer, and I've been serving as a Caring Companion for a little over a year. It has truly been a gift.
I first connected to the program through the Longley family. As someone who knew and loved Ben, I felt called to be part of something that reminds people facing mental health struggles that there are many who care deeply about them.
As a pastor, I've walked alongside many people navigating depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. One of the hardest parts of those experiences is the loneliness people often feel. If there's one thing I hope to communicate in my visits, it's this: you are not alone. There are people who care, and you don't have to face hard things by yourself.
I've had the opportunity to visit several of the behavioral health units at Avera, but I especially enjoy spending time with the older adults in the senior unit. Perhaps it's because they carry such rich life stories. When I show up with curiosity and a handful of questions in my pocket, I get to hear about childhood dreams, life goals, disappointments, and moments of joy. Every visit reminds me how deeply human our stories are — full of hopes and sorrows that connect us to one another.
In my professional life, I serve as the Director of the Holy Playground Initiative with the South Dakota Synod ELCA, a project that helps congregations build stronger intergenerational relationships. At its heart, that work is about belonging — about making sure people of every age know they matter and have a place in the community. Volunteering as a Caring Companion feels like a natural extension of that same calling: showing up, listening well, and reminding people that their story matters.
Sometimes the most powerful gift we can offer one another is simply our presence.
— Renae BoehmerThank you, Renae, for everything you bring to Reach In. ♡
New Partnerships
VOA & Avera Addiction Center
In January 2026, we brought our Caring Companion family to two new partnerships: Volunteers of America (VOA) and Avera Addiction and Rehabilitation Center (AACC).
Sincere thanks to Mallie Kludt, Chief Operating Officer, and Dennis Hoffman, President and CEO of VOA. The partnership will include one-on-one visits with youth through the Axis 180 program and women enrolled in the New Start program. We continue to support the LifeMarks Program and pay the initial costs for patients to complete an initial assessment and intake procedure. Patients seeking help would have to find their own funding prior to starting treatment in the correct therapy group if they were not served by our foundation in this small way.
Thanks also to Tony Dreyer, Nursing Director at AACC, and Amy Hall for welcoming our companions to the AACC Campus. Once per week a companion visits — patients and visiting family members are welcome to join a fun activity and spend time chatting. We are there as people who care.
Avera, and the facilities they run, are lifelines for so many. We are blessed and grateful to be a very small part of serving those who need people in their lives to offer hope, compassion, and kindness.
Lost & Found · Survivors Joining for Hope
Lost & Found is making some organizational changes at this time. It has been a pleasure working beside Carrie Jorgenson and we look forward to finding opportunities to collaborate again in the future.
The Reach In program will continue sending care packages to survivor families across South Dakota on a request basis through Survivors Joining for Hope.
New Initiative
A Scholarship for the Field
At the start of the 2026–2027 school year, the Longley Foundation will launch a scholarship for students pursuing careers serving patients afflicted by mental illness. This initiative is in partnership with the University of South Dakota and will provide an impactful, much-needed financial resource for students entering this vital field.
Looking Ahead
Mark Your Calendars
Reach out to Chantelle, Angela, or Leigh to learn more or to register.
Unveiling at South Dakota State University. Awaiting final update.
For the third year, the Foundation sponsors a free community concert. Country music fans — this night is for you. Performers TBA.
All day, 11 am to close. 10% of all sales donated to the Foundation. Thank you Jesse and Laura!
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort · Register Now →
Details to follow.
# change the narrative
end the stigma
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 make tomorrows brighter for those living with mental illness.
Wishing everyone a very blessed Easter. Enjoy your time with your loved ones and may the Easter Bunny be kind to all.
Best Wishes — Paul, Leigh, and the Board of the Longley Foundation