The Longley Foundation
Newsletter
September 2026
Greetings to all,
It is my hope that as summer starts to leave us and fall arrives, each one of you has had the opportunity to spend time in the sun, make new memories, and had the love and joy of family and friends surround you.
What We’ve Been Up To
A Mural, a Bench, and a Scholarship
Since the last newsletter sent in April 2026, the foundation has remained busy.
“By Students, For Students” — SDSU
The completion of the By Students, For Students mural at South Dakota State University was something which brought great emotions to so many people. I was fortunate and travelled to Brookings in July and viewed the mural in person. Seeing it in photos and on the special aired on Keloland was amazing in itself; however, being in the Miller Wellness Center and seeing it in person was a gift I will carry with me forever.
Also donated to SDSU is a Suicide Awareness Bench with the very important 988 number displayed for those who need assistance when in the depth of a mental health break. “You are Enough… Exactly As You Are.”
We are so excited to continue the mental health awareness campaign with college mural programs across the State of South Dakota, one school at a time.
Together, students are stronger and can achieve great things when they work as one united entity.
Ben Longley Scholarships
The Foundation continues to work with the counseling department at SDSU in creating a Ben Longley scholarship for students who are pursuing careers in serving those students who are struggling with mental health concerns.
At the start of the 2026–2027 school year, the Longley Foundation started a scholarship for students at the University of South Dakota. More details will be shared with you once we know who the first recipient of the scholarship is named.
Hole 19, Par 0
A Mural of Ben
Andrew Viera, from Florida, completed his mural of Ben for us to use each year at the Longball 22 Golf Tournament. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we don’t have any new photos of Ben, and it hurts. This beautiful mural captured Ben in a unique and everlasting art form.
Written by Andrew
“Every painting starts with a blank canvas. Every round starts with a first swing.
This piece is inspired by a simple idea: the first swing isn’t what defines you… it’s the next one.
In golf, one bad drive doesn’t end the round. You take a breath, pick up your club, and keep moving forward. Life isn’t much different. We all have moments we’d like to have back, but they don’t have to write the rest of our story.
I’m honored to be creating this painting for the Longley Foundation, inspired by Ben’s legacy and the conversations they’re helping start around mental health and suicide prevention. This painting centers around Hole 19, Par 0, a symbolic hole where the score doesn’t matter. There are no penalties for yesterday’s mistakes. The only thing that matters is that you keep moving forward.
As this painting comes to life, I hope it reminds someone that one difficult moment doesn’t define an entire life. Your next step, your next conversation, your next swing, that’s where hope lives.”
Because the most important swing you’ll ever take… is the next one.
— Andrew VieraAffirmation Cards
Little Cards, Big Reach
The Foundation’s affirmation card — depicting the Both/And emotions people can have and still feel they are worthy — is still being distributed to students, patients and clients by:
- South Dakota State University counseling department
- The Lourdes Center counselors
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln counseling center
- Helpline Center in Sioux Falls
- Live Inspired 365
- Individuals who have asked for them to give to friends
A New Partner: Sioux Falls Police Department
In June 2026, the foundation was approached by Sergeant Tarah Walton of the Sioux Falls Police Department’s Community Resources.
Why? A new targeted community outreach initiative focusing on reducing suicide and connecting those in crisis with hope and options.
Goal: The Suicide Prevention task force is launching a campaign to distribute 988 lifeline and suicide prevention materials to local businesses across Sioux Falls. The initiative specifically targets high-impact environments, including hospitality establishments, construction sites, and hair salons/barbershops. To make this happen, funding was needed to produce branded coasters, hard-hat stickers, and window clings for salon and barbershop mirrors. These materials will serve as vital, visible reminders for individuals in crisis to reach out for mental health support.
Result: The foundation’s Board of Directors saw and understood the urgent need for such an initiative. Funding was approved.
A new and exciting carrier of our little cards are now some of the officers of the Sioux Falls Police Department. Working alongside the Police Department’s new initiative is the Helpline Center.
The Helpline Center’s ability to provide Suicide Prevention and Suicide Loss Support services is strengthened by community partners such as the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Longley Foundation. Following a suicide loss, the Helpline Center works alongside the Sioux Falls Police Department to offer immediate support to survivors, providing care and resources during a difficult time. Outreach and education efforts are also critical to ensuring individuals know where to turn for help. Support from the Longley Foundation has made it possible to increase awareness of these services and connect more people to the support they need when facing loss or crisis.
Amy Carter · Chief Operating Officer, Helpline CenterOur next goal remains the same: to create 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: [email protected]
Partner Updates
VOA LifeMarks Program
We will continue to support the VOA LifeMarks Program and pay the initial costs for patients to complete the 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.
Lost & Found
Lost & Found has had to make decisions regarding the future of the organization. At the time of this newsletter, and to the best of my understanding, Lost & Found is completing some final grant obligations.
Summer Events
A Concert, a Give-Back, and a Storm
For the third year, the foundation was very proud to have sponsored a concert for the community of Sioux Falls. Wild Earp & The Free for Alls came out early as the weather bureau had announced a severe thunderstorm was headed our way. It sure was fun while it lasted; however, Mother Nature was not to be quelled and at 8:10 PM, Nancy and her team expertly and safely had the crowd dispersed, the band packed up, and down came the rain. While not what we wanted, some things in nature are out of our control.
Thank you Jesse for your continued support of the Longley Foundation. We had an amazing day/night at the restaurant. If you will have us, we will be back again in 2027.
Longball 22 Golf Classic 2026
Our People, Our Tribe
Saturday, August 1, 2026 · Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
We had a heartbreakingly brilliant day on August 1, 2026, for the Longball 22 Golf Classic. Although we were nervous about the event being on a Saturday, people came! “Our people, our tribe” were there and beside them were a lot of new golfers and supporters.
Photographs taken on the day by our friend, Scott Erickson, will be available to view directly on the Longley Foundation website.
To our main sponsor, Gaming Management Group, we are beyond grateful for your love, friendship and generous hearts. Corporate Sponsors, Hole Sponsors, Players, Donors/Purchasers and Diners — we thank you. None of what we do would be possible without each and every one of you.
We are already working on a date for 2027…
September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Please say the name of a loved one you have lost to death by suicide. Say their name, and remember to love them always.
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 April 1, 2026, our sixth Caring Companion training took place. My thanks to Chantelle and Angela for covering this day. As many of you know, I was in Wales and could not get back to Sioux Falls due to my mom’s health. Thank you again to Mary Weber, Sergeant Tarah Walton, Dr. Wallace Jackmon and Christa Sobocinski for giving of your time and expertise.
There were seven 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.
Working closely with Avera Behavioral Health (ABH) in providing Caring Companions to those struggling, our companions continue 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.
July ’25 – June ’26
Companions
Trained in April
A total of 1,212 patients visited with our Caring Companions across the units between July 2025 and June 2026. (Unfortunately, we did not think to keep track of our numbers prior to July 2025.)
Our volunteer base now consists of twenty-six Caring Companions. It can be difficult to retain volunteers as life seems to get busy and one has to prioritize how much they can do in a day. We do understand this and are always very sad when one of our companions leaves. If you know anyone who would be interested in learning more about the program, please have them reach out to Chantelle, Angela or Leigh.
Upcoming Training Dates
Unfortunately, our training scheduled for August 4, 2026, had to be cancelled due to a conflicting training.
Companion Spotlight
Katie Fritz
Caring Companion · Avera Behavioral Health
We are delighted to introduce you to Katie Fritz as our featured companion.
The topics of mental health and suicide have been part of my life for many years. My first experience with this was in 1982 when a dear high school friend’s boyfriend died by suicide. It truly rocked my world. There was so much unsaid. It was a very confusing time and these emotions and unanswered questions stayed with me. I experienced anxiety and depression all through college but couldn’t and didn’t know where or how to find help. No one was talking about these topics at the time, at least not in my circles or family.
After my first child was born, in 1992, I experienced debilitating postpartum depression that by the time I was able to see a psychiatrist was full-blown depression. It was a very dark time and I had very little support from my immediate family or friends. But my husband was and has always been my greatest supporter and cheerleader. By the grace of God, lots of discovery, conversations and hard work, I am living my best life.
Seeing a social media post a few years ago about becoming a Caring Companion was an opportunity for me to keep discovering and learning and to also share love and empathy for others on their journey to better mental health. I have learned so much about being a human as a Caring Companion! Each one of us is so important. We matter! And we truly need each other on this life journey.
I have visited with all age groups at Avera Behavioral Health and feel most comfortable with adolescents. This surprised me, actually, because I have a great fondness for seniors and thought that’s where I would feel most comfortable. But I really struggled communicating with the seniors. For now, the teenagers have been open to communicating with me and are so desiring attention and love. For an hour a few times a month, I have the privilege to bring a bit of joy to these young people. They can laugh and just be with me. I make sure to look each of them in the eye and tell them how very loved they are. I mean it and I want them to feel it too.
Being a Caring Companion is such a gift and important ministry to be part of… the world is still a confusing place… but as a Caring Companion I have been given a gift to share my humanity and give love and hope to others.
— Katie FritzThank you, Katie, for everything you bring to Reach In. ♡
Care Packages
For Family Survivors After a Death by Suicide
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.
Chantelle, thank you for your kind heart and the work that goes into creating these individual care packages.
Partnership Update
VOA & Avera Addiction Care Center
In January 2026, we brought our program and our Caring Companion family to our new partnerships with Volunteers of America (VOA) and Avera Addiction and Rehabilitation Center (AACC).
The partnership between VOA and the Reach In program will run as one-on-one visits with youth through the Axis 180 program. Leigh toured the apartment complex where Axis 180 is located and was so impressed by what she saw and learned. We currently have two referrals from VOA and two companions ready to start at the time of this newsletter. Chantelle was instrumental in putting together twenty-one “Back to School Bags” for the youth at Axis 180 in August 2026. Thank you Chantelle for making every teen feel valued and important.
After much deliberation and many conversations, it was decided the best way for us to meet with in-patients at AACC would be over a public holiday. So far we were able to cover Easter and also have the upcoming Labor Day holiday covered. I know Bingo is a crowd favorite and, thanks to the delightful goods at Live Inspired 365, prizes are awarded.
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.
# 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 work to make tomorrows brighter for those living with mental illness.
Best Wishes — Paul, Leigh, and the Board of the Longley Foundation