Black Hills Workshop is now Black Hills Works

 Black Hills Workshop is now Black Hills Works. Black Hills Works Chief Executive Officer Brad Saathoff says that after much discussion with many stakeholders, including people it supports, accrediting agencies, employees, and board members, the decision was made to change the name in order to more closely reflect the mission and role of the organization in the community.  The new name was chosen from a list of fifty suggestions by employees and people served by Black Hills Works.

                “Our days of being just a sheltered workshop are long over,” says Saathoff. We need to be seen for what we truly are, an organization focused on creating a community where everyone participates to achieve a life of full potential.”  Black Hills Works serves more than 600 people with a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities. Saathoff says that just over 200 people work on a variety of jobs within Black Hills Works facilities, but at least as many work for local employers in the community and at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  Nearly 100 live in congregate group homes, but many more live in apartments and homes in the community.  “Black Hill Works reflects the way the people we support are now participants in the community as opposed to living and working in segregated settings like they did in the past.”

                Black Hills Workshop officially became Black Hills Works on July 1.