DakotAbilities

01/29/2026

Let’s take a look back at our past plays as we build excitement for auditions for our Spring 2026 production 🎭. Over the years, our plays have brought stories to life through dedicated rehearsals, committed performers, and impactful productions. Each play reflects the creativity, growth, and passion that define our stage and our community.

Beyond the performance, these plays create meaningful opportunities for social connection, collaboration, and belonging, bringing individuals together through shared rehearsals and teamwork ✨. They also increase community inclusion and visibility, offering a platform where individuals are seen, celebrated, and valued for their talents—reinforcing the power of inclusive theater to strengthen connections and broaden understanding across our community.

Follow along on our website (https://www.dakotabilities.org/) for the latest updates, audition details, rehearsal schedules, and behind-the-scenes highlights as we prepare for Spring 2026.

01/28/2026

Meet Angela! She has been part of the team for 13 years and serves as a Lead Direct Support Professional.

Angela says the best part of working at DA is the people she supports:

“I love working with the people I support. They are always so happy to see you; it truly makes your day. Even if I’m having a bad day, it gets better when they come through the door.”

Four things Angela can’t live without:
Her dogs, sweets, Diet Dew, and friends and family.

We’re grateful for the dedication and heart Angela brings to DakotAbilities every day.

01/24/2026

Even as frigid temperatures kept us close to home, the people we support continued to do what they do best—create, learn, and lean into the interests that bring them joy ❄️🎨 Longfellow day services traveled to homes, ensuring individuals still had access to the resources, relationships, and experiences that matter most to them.

From cooking together and creating art to sharing lessons on the finer points of pie 🥧, the smiles said it all. The cold may have changed our location, but it didn’t change our spirit, our connection, or our commitment to supporting passions, talents, and meaningful moments—wherever the day takes us.

01/21/2026

Congratulations to Brooke on passing the NCLEX-RN ⭐

This achievement reflects your dedication, hard work, and commitment to the nursing profession. We are so proud to celebrate this milestone with you and are grateful to have you on our team.

, we create a warm and welcoming community enriching the lives of those we support.

01/20/2026

Hanna’s journey, from navigating a traumatic brain injury to helping others find purpose and belonging, powerfully shapes her work at DakotAbilities.

As our Talent Acquisition Manager, she brings lived experience, empathy, and intention to building an inclusive workforce rooted in dignity and opportunity. Read more about how her story continues to inspire meaningful impact in our community!

https://www.dakotabilities.org/news-events/up-and-comer-hanna-berg-featured-in-siouxfalls-business

Personal experience "gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of advocacy, accessibility and inclusive support systems." Meet this week's Up-and-Comer. https://siouxfalls.business/traumatic-brain-injury-brings-strong-meaning-to-talent-acquisition-managers-nonprofit-role/

01/20/2026

Today is the final day of Operation Helpful Smile for DakotAbilities! Get all your mid-week shopping done at your Sioux Falls Hy-Vee, and you can choose to round up at checkout to support us.

Happy Wednesday!

We’re honored to be part of Hy-Vee’s Operation Helpful Smiles—a community program that turns everyday grocery trips into meaningful impact.

From January 14–20, shoppers at Sioux Falls Hy-Vee stores can round up their purchase at checkout, with every dollar donated supporting our mission at DakotAbilities. Thanks to Hy-Vee and its program sponsors, all customer donations are matched up to $1,000 for the week—and this year, an additional outside donor will match contributions as well, doubling the impact even further.

It’s an easy way to give, and every round-up helps strengthen our Sioux Falls community. Thank you, Hy-Vee, for 20 years of giving back—and thank you to every shopper who chooses to participate. , we create a warm and welcoming community enriching the lives of those we support.

01/19/2026

A wonderful morning spent with an incredible group of volunteers. Thank you to Fresh Produce, KELOLAND News, and Sanford Health for giving your time and heart.

On this day, we’re reminded that “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Today, the answer was clear.

01/17/2026

This is a trend we can get behind: In 2016, DakotAbilities moved into Longfellow—marking more than a change of address.

This move represented a step into a space designed for continued growth: opportunities, independence, and the support we provide each day. Longfellow became a place where people supported could expand their skills, build meaningful connections, and reach new milestones.

Nearly a decade later, that commitment to growth continues, because when people are given the right space and support, what’s possible only keeps growing.

01/15/2026

We extend our sincere thanks to Delta Dental of South Dakota for supporting the certification of several nurses in fluoride varnish application. This specialized training allows our team to provide an additional level of preventive oral health care—right here in-house—when ordered by a person’s physician.

By completing Fluoride Varnish application training and earning continuing education credits, our nurses are now certified to apply fluoride varnish as part of routine care. This strengthens our ability to deliver timely, top-tier medical support while reducing barriers for the individuals we support.

, we create a warm and welcoming community that enriches the lives of those we support.

01/14/2026

Between bingo, conversation, and plenty of camaraderie, the morning flew by with the Rotary Club of Sioux Falls - West. We are incredibly grateful for the time they spent with us today and for the meaningful relationships formed - a great representation of the joy and connection that comes with all the volunteers who walk through our doors.

Moments like these are a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have the community standing alongside us. Thank you, Sioux Falls West Rotary, for a wonderful morning and for your continued companionship.

01/13/2026

Cooking class at DakotAbilities is about more than following a recipe—it’s a hands-on opportunity to build independence, confidence, and life skills in a fun, social setting. From practicing kitchen safety and measuring ingredients to teamwork and trying new foods, each class supports learning that carries well beyond the kitchen. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughter, creativity, and pride in every finished dish.

Pictured is the preparations and beginnings of a delicious Rosca de Reyes: a traditional sweet bread eaten to celebrate Día de Reyes!