Latest news with #TheCompassCenter
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
The Compass Center's annual event honors Emily Eirinberg
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A local organization that helps those affected by sexually assault and domestic abuse is dedicating its annual arts event to one local woman. This year's Rise Up: Arts as Resistance event, hosted by The Compass Center will honor Emily Eirinberg. 'Our event features and highlights the ten warning signs of unhealthy relationship. And the last two models in the show will represent hope, healing and really the ability to rise up out of the darkness,' The Compass Center's chief development and communications officer, Sydney Bartunek said. This is the first year the non-profit is paying tribute to someone affected by domestic violence. In February police arrested 23-year-old Emily Eirinberg's ex boyfriend in connection to her death. Her mother Patty Eirinberg says it's events like these that help keep her memory alive.'It's a way to help us heal. It's like that rope to hang on to and it's helping us through a lot. I mean this was a senseless, tragic death that shouldn't have happened,' Eirinberg night will feature dancers, art and music. Something Emily's mother said she would enjoy. 'She had been in dance from the time she was probably 3-years-old to high school, and it was always her kind of her soul,' Eirinberg her mother hopes this event will shed light on local resources and encourage others to speak up about domestic abuse. 'Emily's death was like a stone thrown in the water. And it has affected so many people. And we don't have her anymore. But if that ripple can help make a difference for our communities outside of wherever, that's what I can take ahead for Emily,' Eirinberg said. Money raised from the event will go toward resources at The Compass Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burger Battle winner to be announced at 10 a.m.
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — Downtown Sioux Falls will announce the long-awaited winner of the 2024 Burger Battle Wednesday morning. 50 years of The Compass Center There were 39 entries this year, with burgers ranging in variety and price. KELOLAND News will livestream the news conference and bring you coverage on-air and online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
50 years of The Compass Center
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)–A nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault has hit the 50-year-mark. Candy Hanson remembers the early days of The Compass Center, dating back to the 1970s. 'Those were the bad old days. There simply were not services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. There was no such thing as a rape kit in Sioux Falls,' Hanson said. Running on trails, tenacity and tradition The center started as Citizens Against Rape, a crisis hotline answered through what's now known as the Helpline Center. Volunteers would respond to sexual assault victims at the hospital to support them. 'A group of my friends heard about how they were running the rape crisis line and we thought we could do that for victims of domestic violence,' Hanson said. Hanson says, those groups later merged, becoming Citizens Against Rape and Domestic Violence. The former board member says people didn't want to talk about sexual assault and domestic violence back then. 'I think it was a reflection of American society. Those were secrets,' Hanson said. 'I hope it's better than what it was in the 70s, but it's still a tough conversation,' Compass Center Executive Director Michelle Trent said. The nonprofit's services have grown since it started as a crisis hotline decades ago, a service that's still offered today. 'We offer counseling for victims. We offer advocacy. We go to court with victims. We also do education and prevention,' Trent said. Amanda Maguire, who had been suffering from past trauma, sought the help of The Compass Center more than five years ago. 'I've learned so much about trauma, about the brain, about how it processes trauma, about the different pieces of the brain and what happens when something is activated inside of you,' Maguire said. Maguire is one of many who have been helped by The Compass Center over the past five decades. Hitting the milestone is bittersweet for Trent. '50 years is a long time, and I would have hoped if I was here 50 years ago that this program would have no longer been here in 50 years, but it is and it's grown, so that part is sad, the fact that we're still needed, the fact that there are more and more victims every day and violence in our community continues to exist,' Trent said. But there is something to celebrate: a legacy of dedication. 'Incredibly proud of the fact that we started as a bunch of people who said, 'This isn't okay,' and that's still where we are today and being able to stand up for victims for 50 years is an incredibly amazing journey,' Trent said. While Hanson is no longer a board member, she is still a supporter of The Compass Center. She echoes Trent's sentiment about 50 years of The Compass Center. 'I think The Compass Center does a wonderful job. I'm proud it's still here, and I'm really sorry that it's still needed,' Hanson said. The nonprofit will officially celebrate the milestone at its fall fundraiser, Cultivating 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Sioux Falls youth violence intervention program suspended amid federal funding freeze
Sioux Falls youth violence intervention program suspended amid federal funding freeze Show Caption Hide Caption White House responds to pause in federal grants and loans White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions surrounding the Trump administrations pause in federal grants and loans. The Compass Center in Sioux Falls is suspending its Youth Violence Intervention and Prevention (YVIP) program effective immediately amid a pause on federal grants that President Donald Trump ordered late Monday to give his administration time to review whether they fit his priorities. The YVIP is a 'youth-led, community-based initiative working to eliminate violence among middle and high school youth (ages 12-17) in the Sioux Falls metro area,' according to The Compass Center website. The Compass Center relies on federal funding for 40% to 50% of its overall budget, Executive Director Michelle Trent said. 'This year it's closer to the 60% with all of our federal funds,' Trent said. 'And so a significant portion of our budget is made up of federal dollars.' The freeze went into effect at 4 p.m. Tuesday though several states sued to block the order. The memo ordering the freeze does not specify which grant-making agencies must abide by the order, but the Office of Management and Budget has broad power over the executive branch that touches nearly every agency. The sweeping announcement triggered widespread confusion and panic among government bureaucrats and everyday Americans scrambling to figure out the implications. The government later clarified it doesn't affect Pell Grants, which are government subsidies that help low-income students pay for college, Social Security payments, Medicaid or food stamps — assistance that is going directly to individuals. "This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration," said Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, during a briefing Tuesday afternoon. "The reason for this is to ensure that every penny that is going out the door is not conflicting with the executive orders and actions that this president has taken." Youth violence has become a growing problem in Sioux Falls. In early December, 18-year-old Jaden Bingham fired a gun in the Empire Mall, causing the mall to be placed under lockdown status for nearly two hours, according to previous reporting from the Argus Leader. After the shooting, Sioux Falls Police Department Police Chief Jon Thum called on the Sioux Falls community to aid in 'mentoring' youth. While the federal fund freeze does not affect SFPD, police were 'excited' about the prospect of working with The Compass Center on the YVIP program, Sioux Falls Police Department spokesperson Sam Clemens said in an email to the Argus Leader. 'We recognize the greater need and urgency in mentorship with youth in Sioux Falls. Mentors can have a dramatic impact on the lives of youth,' Clemens said. 'This is not something that can be left for other people to do. We want everyone to get involved and volunteer your time to make a difference with today's youth which will make a difference in our community for years to come.' The YVIP program serves Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and McCook counties, according to the website, and collaborates with 35 community partners to serve youth in the area, Trent said. Teens in the YVIP program experience 'immersive training sessions' and engage in peer education and impact events to gain the knowledge and skills to prevent 'relational and sexual violence, sexual harassment, dating violence, and bullying,' according to the website. While the YVIP is the only program currently suspended at The Compass Center, several other programs are in jeopardy, Trent said. This includes programs that offer walk-in care for victims of violence, programs that help victims with court-related processes, and crisis counseling services. The Compass Center is the only rape crisis center in South Dakota, Trent said, and those services are at risk, too. Trent said the freeze 'feels very out of the blue and sudden, and with minimal preparation or minimal answers.' Trent said The Compass Center was 'heightened to changes in federal funding' before the freeze went into effect primarily because she believes topics such as family, sexual and relationship violence are often things people don't want to talk about. 'I think this is a great time for our community and our state and our nation to step up and say, 'These are important services for the people that live in our community, in our society, and so we're going to fight for them,'' Trent said. USA Today contributed to this report.
