Lost&Found

04/24/2026

We’re proud to partner with the Transformation Project through the Inclusive Care Collaborative to support more inclusive, informed care across South Dakota.

If you’re a mental health provider, this 3-part virtual series on Gender Affirming Care is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and better support 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in your care.

Learn more and register here:
https://forms.gle/YCuFJM3uEEqF6PeL9

Mental health clinicians in South Dakota! Please join Transformation Project and the Inclusive Care Collaborative for our virtual 3 Part Provider Series of Gender Affirming Care! This series offers 3 CEUs for the total series for mental health providers in South Dakota.

🗓️May 15th
🕛️12pm - 3pm CST
📍Virtual
🔗Sign up here: https://forms.gle/YCuFJM3uEEqF6PeL9

🌈101: Providing Gender Affirming Care:
We will be defining basic terminology used by LGBTQ+ clients, types of transitions, and what affirming care means. We will address WPATH, and myths about GNC people.

🌈201: Barriers to Care: Gender Affirming Care 201: We will explore health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ population. Look at real life examples of discrimination and microaggressions faced by LGBTQ+ South Dakotans. Address how to alleviate some of the discrepancies.

🌈301: Letter writing: Gender Affirming Care 301: We will teach you how to write letters for clients who are transitioning, providing templates to participating providers. Explain why letter writing is so important, and the criteria for gender dysphoria.

Questions? Email brianna@transformationprojectsd.org
[Image Description: A person has their hand on another person's shoulder. Colorful ribbons on top of a silhouette of a head. Hands hold a smiley face. Text "Part Provider Series of Gender Affirming Care. An Educational Series for Mental Health Clinicians. May 15th, 12-3pm CST. Virtual. 101: Providing Gender Affirming Care: We will be defining basic terminology used by LGBTQ+ clients, types of transitions, and what affirming care means. We will address WPATH, and myths about GNC people. 201, Barriers to Care: Gender Affirming Care: We will explore health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ population. Look at real life examples of discrimination and microaggressions faced by LGBTQ+ South Dakotans. Address how to alleviate some of the discrepancies. 301, Letter writing: Gender Affirming Care: We will teach you how to write letters for clients who are transitioning, providing templates to participating providers. Explain why letter writing is so important, and the criteria for gender dysphoria. 3 CEUs for the total series for mental health providers in South Dakota. Questions? Email brianna@tranformationprojectsd.org. Sign up with the Google Form."]

04/16/2026

As Lost&Found takes the next steps to drive our mission forward and deepen our community relationships, we’re inviting others to be part of what’s next.

We’re forming a Development & Donor Engagement Committee and looking for individuals across South Dakota and the surrounding region who want to help expand this work.

This volunteer committee will play a vital role in supporting fundraising efforts and strengthening the connections that allow our work to reach more people.

Through this group, members will directly support a meaningful mission by training community members, supporting student mental well-being, and advocating for mental health and su***de prevention across the communities we serve.

We’re looking for individuals who care deeply about this work and are willing to contribute their voice, ideas, and relationships in a collaborative and manageable way.

It’s a meaningful way to get involved, with a virtual commitment that allows you to participate from anywhere.

If this speaks to you, we’d love to have you.

Be a part of what’s next and apply here: https://bit.ly/4cz2Ypv

Questions? Reach out to Carrie Jorgensen at cjorgensen@resilienttoday.org

04/10/2026

We’re honored to be a recipient of the Showplace Cabinetry Employee Directed Giving Program.

Through this unique program, employees nominate and vote on the organizations they care about most—making this support especially meaningful.

This $5,000 gift helps us continue supporting survivors and advancing our work in education, prevention, and building resilience across our communities.

We’re grateful to Showplace Cabinetry and its employees for their investment in this work and the impact it makes.

If your organization is interested in partnering with Lost&Found, we’d love to connect.

04/02/2026

Momentum continues to build at South Dakota Mines as our Peer2Peer Mentorship program expands within Greek Life. This work is creating more intentional spaces for connection, support, and student leadership across campus.

It started as an idea in the back of Whitney Bischoff’s mind – how to harness the built-in brotherhoods and sisterhoods of Greek life to create a movement that reshapes how students support one another on campus.

As student programs manager for Lost&Found, a statewide nonprofit focused on preventing su***de among young adults, Bischoff saw an opportunity.

The organization already runs a Peer2Peer mentorship program, but she knew its impact could grow by tapping into the mentorship already available within fraternities and sororities.

From there, interest spread quickly.

“I loved how Lost&Found provides structure to the mental wellness of our house,” Myers said. “It forces these impactful conversations and brings us closer together in brotherhood.”

Bischoff connected with other Mines fraternities and sororities, and the response was positive.

A pilot program funded by the South Dakota Department of Health through next May was launched this spring. Bischoff has already trained four fraternities and a sorority, with momentum building beyond campus.

“We have four Greek organizations at the University of South Dakota who are joining in the program, and a colleague on a national chapter for a different fraternity said they have interest on a national level,” she said.

The goal is to change the culture around Greek organizations.

Bischoff launched the program after reviewing research from the JED Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents su***de for teens and young adults in the United States. “They have a whole report specifically on Greek organizations,” Bischoff said. “There were some things the organizations were already doing but also had some key recommendations as well.”

The foundation recommends Greek organizations prioritize mental health by reducing stigma, encouraging students to seek help and addressing risks related to hazing, substance misuse and sexual exploitation.

Greek life is built on connection and belonging, something Bischoff saw as a natural fit for a peer support model.

“Peer2Peer offers a ready-made approach that aligns with those recommendations while helping students build resilience,” she said.

Through the pilot program, participating chapters complete training with Bischoff, covering boundaries, self-care, the mental health continuum, what it means to be healthy and how to access support resources.

The university’s Kappa Tau house started the program this spring and is already seeing positive results. “These topics help guide the conversation in a positive way and create a safe environment for both the mentee and mentor,” Myers said. “I’m excited to see how this pilot program can affect those within our community, further campus collaborations, improved brotherhood morale and stronger personal bonds are all great representations of how our organization can benefit from Lost&Found.”

The students meet weekly or bi-weekly over the course of 16 weeks, using guided prompts while also allowing conversation to develop organically.

“We give them topics to talk about, but also want things to come up organically,” Bischoff said. “I don’t want to know everything they are talking about; I want them to build a relationship and feel comfortable.”

She also wants students to know that there are layers of support. “We want them to have their mentor, but also understand that it is not their only person. We want to create this network of support across campus.”

Bischoff and Myers both see this as having a ripple effect, creating a safe space for future students not only at Mines but eventually across all campuses and beyond their college years.

04/02/2026

Our latest newsletter is out, and we’re excited to share what we’ve been working on.

From expanding Peer2Peer mentorship across campuses to upcoming trainings and continued growth, there’s a lot of momentum building.

Take a look: https://bit.ly/4c4FKHu

Want to stay in the loop? Click “Subscribe” in the top left of the newsletter to receive future updates.

03/31/2026

Today, on International Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the strength, courage, and authenticity of transgender individuals. 🏳️‍⚧️

Being visible can be powerful, and it can also be complex. However it looks for you, your experience is valid.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and free to be fully themselves.

Today and every day, we see you. We support you. You belong. 🩵💕

03/26/2026

We’re grateful to see conversations like this happening in our communities.

Thank you to Angela Kennecke of Emily's Hope for sharing Emily’s story and continuing to lead important work around substance use prevention and education. Opportunities like this create space for connection, learning, and life-saving awareness.

We’re also proud to share that our own Lana Loken serves as Chair of the Davison County Community Mental Health & Su***de Prevention Coalition, which helped bring this event to the community. Her leadership and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact.

03/26/2026

🌟 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐟𝐟 🌟
Student Programs Manager

Whitney brings 10+ years of experience in higher education to Lost&Found, with a background in Residence Life, Student Activities, Advising, and Student Success.

She previously served as president of the South Dakota Higher Education Association and has been on the board for six years.

At Lost&Found, Whitney is passionate about building connections through student programs and peer support — helping create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Outside of her work at Lost&Found, Whitney hosts her podcast Dose of Feel Good, where she shares all things that bring hope and light into the world. She has also been featured in a nationally published NPR interview, sharing her experience with mentor programs in high school settings.

Whitney has an infectious personality and a natural ability to spread joy. She builds genuine connections with students and communities, and she’s someone you can always count on to bring encouragement and energy when it’s needed most.

A few fun facts — Whitney has a minor in theatre and once painted herself green to perform “Defying Gravity.” 💚

03/23/2026

😴 It’s Sleep Awareness Month

Sleep isn’t just rest; it’s essential for your mental health, mood, and overall well-being. When we’re running on empty, everything feels harder.

If better sleep feels out of reach, you’re not alone. Small changes can make a big difference:

✨ Try going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
✨ Limit screen time before bed and create a wind-down routine
✨ Keep your sleep space cool, dark, and quiet
✨ Avoid caffeine later in the day
✨ Give your mind time to slow down; journaling or deep breathing can help

Taking care of your sleep is one way to take care of yourself.

What’s one thing that helps you get better rest? Drop it in the comments 👇

03/23/2026

We’re glad to share this upcoming opportunity from Community Action for Veterans - CAV.

The 5th Annual Women VetsConnect Retreat is designed for women veterans and military spouses to connect, recharge, and focus on their well-being.

🗓 Saturday, April 11
🕘 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📍 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls
🎟 Free for women veterans and military spouses

This retreat offers a space for connection, support, and taking time for yourself alongside others who share similar experiences.

If you or someone you know may benefit, learn more and register here:
https://bit.ly/4ssXnI7

Women VetsConnect Retreat
Saturday, April 11th from 9a-2p
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Sioux Falls

FREE for women veterans and military spouses

Vendor fee is $80.

Click on the link below to register!

https://www.sdvets.org/event-details/women-vetsconnect-retreat?fbclid=IwVERDUAPwzj9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeN5VDoaRzJalCNDRUpSyQKNRD_c8Ve5yjWUG8iVJUYsWkWupIrHwYnZQ6taE_aem_Ng4NDY3ofYITGV1zXxA7XA