OCTOBER 2021
Volume 2. Issue No. 10
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
KelseyisStine creating an
ACCESSIBLE BLACK HILLS
Monument Health is proud to welcome
OUR NEWEST CARDIOLOGISTS Fawzi Ameer, M.D. Cardiovascular Medicine
Luis Hernandez, MD.
Jeff Wilson, M.D.
Cardiovascular Medicine
Cardiovascular Medicine
HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE PROVIDERS
Anurag Bajaj, MD., FACP
Saverio Barbera, M.D., FACC, FHRS
Michael D’Urso, M.D., FACC
Samuel Durr, M.D., FACC
John Hatanelas, D.O.
John Heilman III, M.D., FACC
Ethan Levine, D.O., FHRS
Charan Mungara, M.D.
Cardiovascular Medicine
Electrophysiology
Cardiovascular Medicine, Interventional Cardiology
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Bhaskar Purushottam, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, FSVMB Cardiovascular Medicine, Interventional Cardiology
353 Fairmont Blvd. | Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-4300 | monument.health/heart
2 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Alexander Schabauer, M.D., FSVMB, FACC Cardiovascular Medicine
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OCT. 2021 Volume 2 // Issue No. 10
8 MIND OVER MATTER
Positive thinking keeps Executive Housekeeper Tammy Passamonte hustling through the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn. BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI
12 FENDING FOR HERSELF Determination and little victories lead to full life for Becky Noble. BY SIANDHARA BONNET
20 WORRY NO MORE
Rapid City native Kelsey Stine creates worryfree travel for disabled locals and tourists. BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI
28 FOLLOWING A CALLING Catherine Greseth’s life experience leads her to improving life for people with disabilities. BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI
32 FUELING UP
Alternative Fuel gives high school students with disabilities work experience through Black Hills Works program. BY MAIN STREET SQUARE
ELEVATE RAPID CITY
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 E C O N O M I C I N D I C AT O R S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2.6%
AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES $ 902
ECONOMY RAPID CITY GROSS SALES $ 784,403,931
AIRPORT PASSENGERS 93,202
BUILDING PERMITS 331
NEW HOUSING UNITS 93
REAL ESTATE
Rapid City metro statistics
ACTIVE LISTINGS 203
Month-over-month increase
MEDIAN LISTING PRICE $ 372,400
Month-over-month decrease
Monthly comparisons, industry analysis and additional economic indicators available on exclusive investor report. elevaterapidcity.com 5
STORIES OF STRAIGHT-UP ELEVATION One of the upsides of the most recent remote work trend is that disabled workers are getting more opportunities. They often go unnoticed, but according to census data, more than 15,000 people living in the Rapid City area with one of the six classified disability types: hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, or independent living difficulty. That’s a significant number of workers. The research has shown workers with disabilities are highly motivated, friendlier to customers, score higher in job satisfaction, have higher emotional intelligence, and show a higher willingness to experiment and find creative solutions in the workplace. Sounds like the makings of a great resume and the basis for entrepreneurship. Welcome to this issue of Elevate. This month we’re focusing on the stories in the region of living with and overcoming disability. And prospering. And elevating the region for all of us. There’s the story of Catherine Greseth, who took a life-changing experience and disability and turned it into a calling. Then there’s Tammy Passamonte, who was told she would never walk again, but now exceeds 20,000 steps each day as an Executive Housekeeper. And the story of Becky Noble, who survived an auto accident at the age of 17 that left her paralyzed, and now has a successful career as All-American trap shooter. And finally, our cover story features Kelsey Stine, who helps those with disabilities visiting the area as tourists become some of the area’s best future ambassadors because of their worry-free stay. Honestly, these stories should have been told a long time ago. And we think you’ll appreciate hearing them now. If you are looking for stories of inspiration, exaltation, or straight-up elevation, you came to the right place. Stay safe and God-speed,
Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant. PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson
FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Dana Borowski
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt Brunner
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR Brandis Knudsen WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TALENT ATTRACTION DIRECTOR Samantha McGrath
ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Mitch Nachtigall EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Day CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Andy Greenman BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER Garth Wadsworth
OFFICE MANAGER & HR COORDINATOR Liz Highland INVESTOR RELATIONS COORDINATOR Debbie Leber ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER Loni Reichert EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Becky Knox DESIGN AND LAYOUT Andy Greenman
Tom Johnson, President & CEO
PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL Bill Masterson, Publisher, bill.masterson@bhmginc.com ADVERTISING Eddie Hebron, 605.394.8354 ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com PRINTED BY SIMPSONS PRINTING
6 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
HOW DO YOU #ELEVATERAPIDCITY
?
CALENDAR Sept. 26
Fall Volksmarch at Crazy Horse
It is the second chance of the year to walk up the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. Learn more at crazyhorsememorial.org.
Oct. 2
Cruiser Car Show at Main Street Square
Classic cars roll downtown in the late afternoon and stay until the sunset. Learn more at mainstreetsquare.com. crate.rapidcity The day we moved into our house, a storm had just passed and a big, beautiful rainbow surrounded our home. A couple weeks after we opened Crate, I took this picture of Judah admiring God’s handiwork. #elevaterapidcity Tag your social media posts with #elevaterapidcity for your chance to be featured in the next magazine!
COMMENTS NEW 40,000 SQUARE FOOT INNOVATION CENTER
Looking forward to the amazing impact this project will have on Rapid and so proud to be a partner in this venture! - Mackenzie Roebuck-walsh
PROPERTY MELD BUILDS DOWNTOWN HEADQUARTERS
I'm happy they decided to build in downtown instead of going into a strip mall somewhere. - Michael Martin
CONNECT W I T H U S! Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ElevateRapidCity), Instagram (@elevaterapidcity), LinkedIn (/company/elevate-rapid-city) Twitter (@Elevate_RC), and YouTube (youtube.com/elevaterapidcity). Share your thoughts and help us Elevate Rapid City together!
magazine@elevaterapidcity.com
Oct. 3
The Price Is Right Live
Contestants can win cash, appliances, vacations and possibly even a new car by playing favorites like Plinko™, Cliffhangers™, The Big Wheel™, and the fabulous Showcase! Buy tickets at themonument.live.
Oct. 7-9
29th West River History Conference
Over 30 featured national and regional speakers including special performances, tours, specialty vendors, and more! View the schedule at westriverhistoryconference.org.
Oct. 9
BierbÖrse Festival
A favorite of local craft-beer enthusiasts at Main Street Square. Beer Olympics events include cornhole, steinholding, keg bowling, weiner toss, and life-size beer pong. The event will be a 21+ and tickets are required to enter the fenced-in area.
Oct. 11
Native Americans' Day Celebration
The celebration at Crazy Horse includes naming the Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year. Learn more at crazyhorsememorial.org.
Oct. 16
Pitbull at The Monument
Mr. 305 himself is coming to the 605 on Saturday, October 16th. Don't miss Pitbull hitting the Summit Arena stage for the first concert in the new arena. Tickets onsale online at themonument.live.
Oct. 22-23
Rapid City Rush vs. Tulsa Oilers
Purchase tickets to the opening games at The Mounument at rapidcityrush.com. elevaterapidcity.com 7
Doctors told Tammy Passamonte she would
NEVER WALK AGAIN
STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
8 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Positive, Positive, Positive – Executive Housekeeper Tammy Passamonte has the words written on the white board outside her office in the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn and encourages her staff every day to live by them. She personally knows the power of being positive. The 54-year-old cruises through the hotel overseeing the cleaning of all 205 rooms, logging thousands of steps daily. No one would guess that nearly 30 years ago doctors told Tammy she would never walk again. At age 26, Tammy took a fall down some stairs sending her to the chiropractor to get adjusted. “[The chiropractor] told me I needed to lay flat for three days, but on the second day I couldn’t use my limbs and couldn’t speak; I was slurring. They took me to the hospital and that’s when they figured out what was going on with me.” Doctors diagnosed Tammy with myasthenia gravis, a form of muscular dystrophy, and said she would be wheelchair bound for the rest of her life. Tammy, however, had other plans. “I said ‘watch me.’” She was a single mother with two young kids and was going to prove the doctors wrong—even refusing to use a wheelchair to leave the
hospital. “It was hard, but I was very determined, especially to be able to provide for my children.” Tammy taught herself how to use her muscles again. “I used to teach aerobics when I was younger, so I used the band to try to get strength back in my legs and arms—things I could do sitting on the floor.” With the help of her kids, she went from crutches to a walker and then to a cane. When she turned 30, she was walking on her own. “I really think it is mind over matter,” she said. “If you are always thinking you are sick, you are going to be sick.” While she fought to walk again, and is likely the fastest walker at work, Tammy deals with her disease daily. “I get a burning sensation through my whole body. I get cramps. My muscles get very fatigued, and my legs give out on me a lot, but I’ve learned to go with it. I relax myself if I fall, so I don’t break anything.” She also has flare ups where she again loses use of her legs and her speech. However, she goes back to the bands and works her way back just like she did decades before. For six years, Tammy has worked for the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn moving her way up to executive housekeeper, a physically demanding position. However, Tammy takes it all in stride. She wakes up early and
"THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW I AM DOING WHAT I AM DOING." - TAMMY PASSAMONTE
elevaterapidcity.com 9
10 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
"THESE ARE AMAZING PEOPLE TO WORK FOR. THEY SAW MY POTENTIAL AND KEPT MOVING ME UP." - TAMMY PASSAMONTE
arrives at work to prepare, mentally and physically, for her day. She knows her body and how much it can take. “I can do what everyone else does; I just can’t do it as long.” She also credits her company for working with her and being understanding of her disability. “These are amazing people to work for. They saw my potential and kept moving me up. They are very understanding with everything.” Tammy said a common cold that will take someone two or three days to recover from may take her 10. “I don’t have that fighting immune system, so it takes me longer and everyone at work is so understanding about that.”
Most employees did not even know of Tammy’s disability until she was asked at a manager retreat to reveal something about herself that no one knew. “I said I had muscular dystrophy and doctors told me I would never walk again.” Her coworkers, as with most people she tells, were astonished at her story and her vibrancy. She continues to amaze even her doctors. During her routine physicals, tests show she has no muscle strength. “They don’t understand how I am doing what I am doing.” They also continue to be astounded at how active she was before her diagnosis. Growing up in Edgemont, S.D., Tammy was a tomboy involved in nearly every sport and the first girl to play football. At the age of 8, she was even waiting tables, doing dishes, and cooking at the 24-hour restaurant owned by her mother and grandmother. “Doctors didn’t understand how I was able to be in sports as much as I was and how successful I was at it for so long,” she said. Doctors no longer underestimate Tammy’s determination to accomplish what she sets out to do, and Tammy now shares her secret to her success with everyone – Positivity, Positivity, Positivity. ▤ elevaterapidcity.com 11
"I’M INVOLVED IN MANY THINGS AND NOBODY REALLY SEES THE CHAIR UNLESS THEY’RE LOOKING AT IT."
DETERMINATION and little victories lead to full life STORY AND PHOTOS BY SIANDHARA BONNET
Becky Noble was 15 years-old when her bedroom was moved into the basement room of her parent’s home on their dairy farm in Medford, Minnesota. She was scared, since prior to this her bedroom had always been right next to her parents’. It was also darker. She would have to calm herself down and would lay still, as if she were paralyzed, and imagine people were coming to visit her. Two years later, she no longer had to imagine she was paralyzed.
12 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
"SOME PEOPLE SLEPT WITH A BLANKET, SOME PEOPLE SLEPT WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL. I JUST SLEPT REALLY STILL AND TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT WEREN’T THERE." - BECKY NOBLE
Noble was a passenger in the backseat of a car that hit a telephone pole in May 1996 when she was 17. It left her paralyzed from the waist down. “…how creepy is it two years later that you’re involved in a car accident? You’re paralyzed, you wake up in a bed that’s floating and you’re like, ‘I can’t move my legs,” Noble said. “But I woke up. I sat up, I got my breathing tube out.” It was those little wins that helped her move through the wreck. She went to rehab without going to the neuro floor and jumped hurdles to recover faster. “But I was thinking how crazy is it that the Lord was preparing me for a calmness, a stillness in my life that you didn’t know where it was coming from,” she said. “Then all of a sudden, boom, woah, OK. There was a reason for that. I thought it was a little psychotic, but there was a reason for it. It was a calming mechanism I had. Some people slept with a blanket, some people slept with a stuffed animal. I just slept really still and talked to people that weren’t there.” Noble spent about seven days on morphine to help with the pain. When she came off it and the anesthesia, she said she was sad and scared. “I would call my mom in the middle of the night bawling…I was scared and sad and couldn’t go to the bathroom myself, couldn’t take a shower myself, none of that. How am I going to get through this?” But her mother’s voice got her
through the night that got her to the chair and then to physical therapy. She was crafted a body jacket she wore for about three months. It went from her waist to her chest and had to wear it any time she was angled more than 15 degrees. The prosthetic technicians carved the name “Xena” into the body cast. She would wear it with a camisole. “I kind of looked like Xena the Warrior Princess and that’s how I treated physical therapy...cause I was going to fight this,” she recalled. “I was going to walk again and I was just waiting for my body to heal.” Her healing journey didn’t have quite the end she was hoping for. “I have a little bit of movement, but nothing I can bear weight on. If I’m in my braces, I feel like I’m floating in the air. I just use my chair, that’s what I've learned and that’s how I’ve spent 25 years of my life. I’m OK with that, I’m healthy. I’m involved in many things and nobody really sees the chair unless they’re looking at it.” Returning home from the hospital, Noble was surrounded by the support of family and friends. Her uncle built a walk-in bathroom in her room so it was ready to go. Her friends would visit every weekend and take her to and from places. She got back into summer activities and returned to her routine. Her parents knew not to hover. “They knew that I was becoming an adult and that I was going to need to learn to be on my own and be independent,” Noble said. “They elevaterapidcity.com 13
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"I KIND OF LOOKED LIKE XENA THE WARRIOR PRINCESS AND THAT’S HOW I TREATED PHYSICAL THERAPY... CAUSE I WAS GOING TO FIGHT THIS."
- BECKY NOBLE
encouraged me to be outside the house.” At the time the support from her community was both overwhelming and comforting. Even now, her family, friends, and community support her. Whether it be from eight hours away in Medford, her coworkers at Cabela’s or members at the trapshooting club. Noble graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Social Work. She worked in the field for a short time before working for the Rochester Area Disabled Athletics Recreation, a small nonprofit organization that helped people in the community with disabilities. She needed more money, which led to her working with Cabela’s. When that took off, she left Rochester and the nonprofit and had made this
her career. Noble has been with the company for about 19 years, which took her to Lincoln and Rapid City where she is now the Club Membership Manager. Brian Cole, General Sales Manager of firearms, archery and hunting said Noble is great with kids and customers with questions about firearms. Noble said Cole pushes her and reminds her of why she competes in trapshooting, too. She said everyone at the store is supportive of the other in their extracurriculars whether it be trapshooting, coaching or masonry. In addition to volunteering as the secretary for the Rapid City Trap Club Board of Directors, she’s on the board for the South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventure and elevaterapidcity.com 15
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16 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
"I DON’T NEED PEOPLE TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME, I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE LIFE WITH ME INSTEAD." - BECKY NOBLE
coaches 4-H. She’s also trying to help high school students establish their own club at school. Noble is an All-American trap shooter and has competed twice at the World Championships for Paratrap. She said she works because she loves connecting with others, and it’s just her work ethic. “I love to provide for myself and I’m fully capable of any career that I choose to do,” Noble said. “If there is a will, there is a way. I’m determined to make it happen.” She said she needs to be a better advocate for herself, but she’s not one to complain about a workspace and its
accessibility. She said she doesn’t want anyone to fuss. For others who may find themselves in a similar situation, Noble said she recommends them finding something that fills their bucket and makes them happy. “Just live people, live. Sure, bad stuff happens all the time, but you have got to learn forgiveness,” Noble said. “Forgive yourself, forgive others, otherwise you will be unhappy if you don’t learn to forgive. It is nobody’s fault that this happened, this happened to me. I don’t need people to feel sorry for me, I just want people to celebrate life with me instead.” ▤
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20 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Kelsey Stine is creating
WORRY FREE TRAVEL for disabled locals and tourists STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
elevaterapidcity.com 21
It was two years ago on a trip to Denver with her husband Trevor that Kelsey Stine realized something needed to be done. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy as a child and had been wheelchair-bound much of her life. As an avid traveler, Kelsey had learned to navigate most obstacles, however, when looking for a good, local restaurant in the Mile High City proved daunting, she came up with an idea that would help locals and tourists visiting the Black Hills avoid the same struggle. “We went to three different restaurants and couldn’t get into any of them,” Kelsey said of the inaccessibility of the places in Denver.
Traveling can be overwhelming and upsetting when you are in an unfamiliar place without the added stress of finding accessible locations, she said. Growing up, Kelsey’s dad searched for restrooms large enough to fit Kelsey and her mom, who has the same rare form of muscular dystrophy and is also in a wheelchair. “I thought it would be super nice if there was a website or app where you could go and immediately find those (inclusive) places.” Born and raised in the Black Hills, Kelsey thought her community was accessible, however, she realized maybe it was because she knew all the backdoors, side entrances and large bathrooms, something not everyone would know. “I wanted to highlight that – one stop where people can go and
22 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
"I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF MY LIFE NOT WANTING TO SHOW MY DISABILITY." - KELSEY STINE
plan out their whole trip. Things will always come up, but if that is taken care of it eliminates one less aspect of stress.” This spring, Kelsey launched Accessible Black Hills, a community-focused organization with a goal of highlighting local businesses and destinations providing inclusive locations for tourists and locals to visit. Kelsey’s idea started small – a personal blog sharing her story on Instagram of local businesses and their accessibility.
One week, three posts and 250 followers later and Kelsey knew she was onto something much larger. “I was going to highlight my story and at the same time showcase the features of accessible areas of local businesses but was overwhelmed at the response and realized it could really turn into a guide, website and organization to promote these features and create worry-free travel in the Black Hills are and, in the future, expanding to other areas.”
Kelsey also had other local organizations such as Visit Rapid City reach out and want to combine resources. “I am really excited for this fall to really focus on Accessible Black Hills and reach out to all those connections.” Kelsey had wanted to start Accessible Black Hills two years ago soon after her trip to Denver, however, said it took her awhile to get out of her comfort zone and advocate for herself and others who are disabled. “I think
elevaterapidcity.com 23
A COUPLE 2021 AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS PROUDLY SIT ON KELSEY'S DESK.
I went through a lot of my life not wanting to show my disability – it is sometimes hard to say ‘Hey, I’m disabled and here is what I am fighting for.’” Kelsey soon realized all the people she would help and the difference she would make in the community she loved. Kelsey is currently in the first phase of her threephase plan which began with gathering data and rating local destinations such as unique shops, locally owned restaurants, museums, trails, and other attractions on their accessibility. Kelsey and her volunteers found that most businesses were open to changing or adding features to make their buildings more accessible. “That is the beautiful thing, and I think that’s what I love about our
community is there is such a strong sense of love and support of one another once you are aware of something. I think awareness has happened, and it is just the beginning.” Phase 2 involves developing a searchable website and hub for tourists and locals to use as a directory of accessible locations in the Black Hills. The final phase is developing grant opportunities and providing financial support to assist businesses in making their locations more inclusive. Aside from Accessible Black Hills, Kelsey owns Vela Creative, a creative agency offering a variety of services including branding, website design, social media, podcast management and
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A WEDDING PHOTO OF KELSEY & TREVOR ON DISPLAY IN THEIR LIVING ROOM.
"EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING THEY ARE DEALING WITH, MINE JUST HAPPENS TO BE PHYSICAL."
digital marketing. She also has a podcast titled “Lay the Course” about women in business who are pursuing their passions and is the current board president for AAF Black Hills. “I feel like my whole life has pointed me in this direction …this is something I can speak to with people and share the joys of living. Everyone has something they are dealing with, mine just happens to be physical.” ▤
LEARN MORE OR VOLUNTEER:
LISTEN UP!
- KELSEY STINE
ACCESSIBLEBLACKHILLS.COM
ENJOY THE LAY THE COURSE WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS
elevaterapidcity.com 27
Looking on the
BRIGHT SIDE STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
"A LOT OF OTHER STATES ARE FOCUSING ON EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, BUT WE LITERALLY LED THE WAY." - CATHERINE GRESETH
28 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Catherine Greseth’s life experience leads her to improving life for people with disabilities At 22, Catherine Greseth escaped her abusive husband and fled to Colorado with her two-year old daughter. It was the 1980s and the young mother and recent Black Hills State University graduate knew no one and had no money. What she did have was a desire to start a new life and the determination to make it happen.
With a degree in mass communications, Catherine worked several internships but struggled to find work in her field. She moved back to South Dakota gaining experience at Sturgis radio station KBHB, organizing the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s firs concert, and becoming the marketing director of a successful Black Hills retail company. After a few years, Catherine returned to Colorado with her now two daughters and added to her already impressive resume. She oversaw the marketing of casinos in Central City and ended up owning a bus tour company – the largest incoming tour company in Denver. Life seemed to be falling into place for the single mother until the late 1990s when several tragedies, including her mother’s death from a brain tumor and the loss of a friend’s husband during the Columbine school shooting, caused her to sell her tour company and escape to Ruidoso, New Mexico. “I was in New Mexico on top of a mountain and that is where I met my husband.” Clete and Catherine had met years before when they both were living in Spearfish, however, the two had not spoken since. “The minute we saw each other we just knew,” she said. The two have been married 17 years. It was only six months into their marriage when Catherine was in the shower one morning and noticed what looked like black snakes floating in each of her eyes. Doctors said both of her retinas had detached, something unusual for someone so young. “I was only 40 and it was totally unusual for something like that to happen, but it was from the injuries I sustained 20 years before. Doctors said it was like a pair of jeans that were worn out.” During that same time, her youngest daughter Mary developed an autoimmune disease that also led to her loss of eyesight.
"HE LEFT ME FOR DEAD
IN A FIELD, STOMPED ON MY HEAD.” - CATHERINE GRESETH
elevaterapidcity.com 29
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30 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Wall 605-279-2135 Rapid City 605-393-1500 www.westriver.coop
CATHERINE GRESETH WORKS FROM HER CUSTER CABIN.
Catherine’s weakened retinas came from injuries she sustained from her first husband two decades before. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Catherine’s family moved to eastern South Dakota when she was 17. Coming from the big city of Milwaukee to the tiny farming community of Scotland proved to be a culture shock for Catherine. “I was lost.” She got married at 18 and moved to Spearfish after her husband got a job with the Homestake Mine. “He ended up being really abusive. He left me for dead in a field, stomped on my head. Somebody found me and took me to Deadwood. When they found out who I was, they called my husband to come pick me up.” Despite the struggles of dealing with both her and her daughter’s loss of sight, Catherine continued to work entering the medical field. She worked
as an area director for Linn Care, United Blood Service and Compassionate Care Hospice. In 2014, she was recruited by an Albuquerque company to oversee business development for a hospice program. She had the job for three months when she woke up one Sunday morning and could not see. Scar tissue had formed on her eyes from the retinal surgery she had years before. Doctors removed the scar tissue from one eye but was left with limited eyesight. “One eye is like looking through a dirty fish tank and the other eye is very limited. I only have peripheral vision.” Unable to drive, Catherine brought in a doctor’s note stating that her husband would have to drive her to work. When she brought in the note, the company fired her stating that it was due to her eyesight. With an impressive resume, Catherine quickly got another job, however, in the
back of her mind she knew someone needed to educate employers. “I had no idea that people were that oblivious about a disability.” Although she was unsure of how she was going to educate these employers, Catherine knew where she was going to start – back in South Dakota. After returning to South Dakota, Catherine found her perfect career – a culmination of all her life experiences. In 2014, then Gov. Dennis Daugaard, whose parents were both deaf, formed a task force to look at the problem with employers not hiring people with disabilities. Catherine applied for the executive director position of the Workforce Diversity Network and was hired. “You can see my whole life led up to this calling. I get it from all aspects, from my daughter, my mom, my dad. I never had a fear of people with disabilities. I didn’t realize it existed.”
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ready to grow. Behind every business and bold move were those who believed it was possible to do more. We’re proud to support and energize our community’s dreams. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/growing to learn more.
32 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
"IF YOU LOOK FOR THE PURPOSE EVEN IN BAD SITUATIONS, AND YOU CAN HELP OTHER PEOPLE, IT IS ALL WORTH IT." - CATHERINE GRESETH
Catherine’s father, Gayheart, became disabled after a five-story fall and had to change careers when she was 5. Her mother, Jayne, had been one of the first people In Milwaukee to teach children with severe disabilities as they were coming out of institutions in the late 1950s. The family moved to South Dakota, where Gayheart was raised, when Jayne accepted a job helping integrate disabled children into the mainstream classroom. Catherine now works from home - a peaceful, 1,000-square-foot cabin in Custer she shares with Clete. Her decades of personal and professional struggles along with her accomplishments and sheer determination have culminated in what she says is her “true calling” - helping others to look past disabilities and see the potential of an often-overlooked workforce. In the seven years since the Workforce Diversity Network of the Black Hills formed, Rapid City has been a national leader in employing people with disabilities and providing accommodations and resources to both the employer and employee. “Now a lot of other states are focusing on employing people with disabilities, but we literally led the way,” she said. The success of the Workforce Diversity Network is due in large part to Catherine and her drive to use every circumstance in life as a motivator to change things for the better. “There is always purpose, and if you look for the purpose even in bad situations, and you can help other people, it is all worth it.” ▤
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Patti Griffin is
FUELING DOWNTOWN STORY BY MAIN STREET SQUARE PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
34 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
Whether it’s splashing in the fountains or skating on the ice rink, no experience at Main Street Square is complete without a treat from Alternative Fuel. Fresh smoothies, coffee shop favorites, and a variety of fresh, baked goods can be found in this staple shop. And while locals may be familiar with their menu, many may not know about the good they are serving up behind the counter. Patti Griffin purchased Alternative Fuel in November 2018 and has been hard at work adapting to challenges and making the business her own. “I had never owned a business before so working through the normal hurdles of owning a business as well as a pandemic were tough,” she said, “but I always rely on my faith and family to help me through.” As a locally-owned business, it’s especially important to Patti to support local businesses. Outside the shop you’ll see signs that were the result of beautiful calligraphy by Megan at Firehouse Brewing Company. Simpsons Printing provided the printing. And it doesn’t get much more local than the produce! Many of the fresh fruits and vegetables come from Patti’s garden. The springtime salads and sandwiches feature spinach and lettuce she grew. And in the fall smoothies may have carrots or apples. “I feed my family first,” Patti said, laughing. “But anything my family doesn’t eat comes to the shop. Really this is my second family.” Alternative Fuel has also partnered with another local business in the community: Black Hills Works. Project Skills is a paid work experience program they facilitate for high school students with disabilities. It provides students with opportunities to learn different employment skills in a variety of job placements.
"IT IS GREAT TO WATCH ANYONE SUCCEED, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE TO FIGHT HARDER TO SUCCEED." - PATTI GRIFFIN
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At TSP, we believe in that little extra something. We understand the power of details and strive for the unexpected surprise. Our team of architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers work alongside our clients to create some of the area’s most innovative solutions.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
Gwyn
Na Nathan
Patrick trick
Tonia onia
Celebrating 76th Anniversary
Stay informed at BlackHillsWorks.org
Save the Date
2021 Annual Recognition
Nov 6 Gala
36 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
N at i o n a l D isability E mployment A wa r e n e s s M onth
Janelle at Monument Health
DIVERSIFY YOUR WORKPLACE STRENGTHEN YOUR COMMUNITY EMPLOY QUALITY STAFF
elevaterapidcity.com 36
"I HAD NEVER OWNED A BUSINESS BEFORE
SO WORKING THROUGH THE NORMAL HURDLES OF OWNING A BUSINESS AS WELL AS A PANDEMIC WERE TOUGH."
This past spring semester Griffin had hired a young woman, Serenity, through the Project Skills Program. Serenity is visually impaired so there were some simple accommodations to make so she could be successful. “We added braille to our register and staff areas to help Serenity be more comfortable in her work environment and those changes will be here forever,” Griffin explained. “We all have a story,” Patti said as she reflected on her experience hiring and working with the students. “It’s amazing to find individuals that are unique, no matter how. It is great to watch anyone succeed, especially those that have to fight harder to succeed, everyone deserves and opportunity to be successful.” ▤
- PATTI GRIFFIN
FUN
FACT
PATTI HATES THE SMELL AND TASTE OF COFFEE. elevaterapidcity.com 37
Elevate Rapid City is a merged organization of the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and Innovation center. Since its launch in 2019 Elevate has been working hard to elevate the region for everyone.
CRITICAL ISSUES: REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OCTOBER 7 // 11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Discussion will include: recent and ongoing success stories, placemaking creates a vibrant community, regional master planning, understanding communities strengths and how to leverage that knowledge, and more.
NETWORKING MIXER
OCTOBER 12 // 4:30-6:30 P.M.
Tour the brand new Ascent Innovation Campus during our October networking mixer. Appetizers and drinks are included in ticket price.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT ELEVATERAPIDCITY.COM
38 ELEVATE • OCTOBER 2021
U NPA R A L L E L E D , COMPREHENSI V E C ARE
WHERE YOU NEED IT MOST.
Top 10% Hospital in the Nation — Right Here As the #1 hospital in the market and the #1 hospital in the state for major orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, and spinal surgery, Black Hills Surgical Hospital is your #1 choice for exceptional quality care—conveniently close to home. Giving you the treatment you need and the service you deserve, Black Hills Surgical Hospital delivers award-winning specialized care nationally recognized for quality, safety, and experience. Let us help you find relief at Black Hills Surgical Hospital.
(605) 721-4700 | www.bhsh.com Ankle | Back | Elbow | Foot | Hand | Hip | Joint Replacement | Knee | Neck | Orthopedic Trauma Pediatric Orthopedics | Shoulder | Spine | Sports Medicine | Wound Care | Wrist
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ELEVATE RAPID CITY BOX 747 RAPID CITY, SD 57709
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