Black Hills Workshop gala 'night of a lifetime'

By Michelle Muellenberg, Journal correspondent | Saturday, November 22, 2008

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They have jobs, live independently and are integral parts of the community. However, unlike many others, Heather Kickery, Brian Bertsch, Eric Rude and Darlene Running Bear have overcome amazing obstacles to get where they are today.

Their progress and accomplishments have earned the four Black Hills Workshop members this year’s Founders Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The quartet will be honored at the annual Recognition Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1.

“(The Founders Award) was started (as a way) to recognize people in our programs who have achieved outstanding progress, as well as to recognize the businesses who have helped them get where they are,” said Dorothy Rosby, community relations director at the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, which  provides services and support to people with disabilities.

The gala, which is the workshop’s largest fundraiser, started in 1984.

“We serve more than 600 people with a variety of disabilities, so to be one of those four is a huge achievement,” Rosby said. “Among those 600 people, there are many, many success stories — people growing and making progress each year.”

The gala is a black-tie event that features videos of each of the winners. The honorees also receive a trophy.

“It really is a night of a lifetime for our members. It is their Oscar night,” Rosby said.

Bertsch is extremely excited about his night in the spotlight, according to Kari Thompson, who has been his service coordinator on and off for the past 16 years.

“He has wanted this award for so long,” Thompson said.

The members are nominated by the people who know them best — the staff members who work with them on a daily basis, Rosby said.

“(Brian) has come so far,” Thompson said. While he sometimes may get down about his mental health, he never gives up, Thompson said.

“Even when he’s in low spirits, he never gives up,” she said.

Bertsch lives in his own apartment and enjoys traveling around the city.

“He walks or takes the bus all over and everyone knows him,” Thompson said. Bertsch also recently took a trip to Green Bay, Wis., with some friends to see a semi show. The show featured a line of semi-trucks over the bay with their lights shining.

“It was something he

really dreamed of doing,” Thompson said. Bertsch is a fundamental part of the janitorial staff at Ellsworth Air Force Base, she said, adding that his boss has been an integral piece of his success.

When he’s not working or socializing around town, Bertsch plays on a city bowling league, collects die-cast farm machines and keeps up on the local and national news.

For Heather Kickery, being a member of the Black Hills Workshop has been invaluable. Since joining in 1986 after her graduation from Central High School, Kickery has a full-time job, teaches preschoolers at First United Methodist Church and has lived independently for more than a decade.

 “(Heather) has really grown and matured over the past 10 years,” said Laura Gibson, Kickery’s service coordinator.  “She has a great positive attitude and outlook on life.”

Gibson said Kickery made some changes in her life that not everyone agreed with; however, Kickery put her mind to it and came out successful.

“She’s fun to be around and a joy to work with,” Gibson said.

Aside from living independently, Kickery also has someone who depends on her, a little kitten named Mr. Kitty.

Kickery also celebrated her fifth year at Wendy’s this month. “I have an outstanding team of co-workers that help me whenever I’m having a frustrating day,” she said.  Kickery has many duties at Wendy’s, from hostess to fry cook.

“That’s one of the things I like about my boss, Frank; he lets me try new things,” she said. One of Kickery’s favorite duties, however, is teaching the Bible to her class of preschoolers at First United Methodist Church.

“It makes me feel good when I can teach a little boy or girl something,” she said, adding that she always learns something from the students as well.

Kickery is excited about receiving the Founders Award and is still in awe about being honored. “I still can’t believe it’s actually happening. I will realize it’s happening on Saturday when it happens.”

Alecia Apa, Darlene Running Bear’s service coordinator, said she has seen the biggest progress in the last year. Running Bear, who rents a house with four other women, has gained a lot of independence as well as inner life skills, Apa said.

“She has gained a lot of self-control and conflict resolution skills — which are the most difficult to gain control of,” Apa said. “The last year she has made huge progress in those areas.”

Running Bear works in the Black Hills Workshop kitchen. “She knows the job inside and out,” Apa said. When she’s not working, Running Bear enjoys doing arts and crafts, shopping the local pawn shops, going to the movies and driving through the Hills.

“She is really doing very well,” Apa said.

Rude works at the Ellsworth commissary and is responsible for the meat room and unloading trucks, according to Rosby. He has been at the commissary since August 2000. Rude is also taking online theology classes and is a regular blood donor. He was nominated and chosen because of progress he has shown on the job. 

The progression made each year by workshop members has a lot do with the local businesses that provide employment opportunities, Rosby said.

 “(The jobs) give them more independence financially as well as confidence and self-esteem,” she said.

The employers and co-workers also become more of a family for many of the members, Rosby said.

“It is a great situation for everyone, both employer and employee.”

In addition to the Founders Awards, Linda Soucy and Pam Rice from Sears will receive the Employer Merit Awards and Heather Pickering from Black Hills Community Theatre will receive the Community Connection Award.

 

If you go

What: Black Hills Workshop Pure Gold Recognition Gala

When: Saturday, Nov. 1; hors d’oeuvres and entertainment at 6 p.m., awards at 8 p.m.

Where: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rushmore Hall

For more information on the gala and to buy tickets, call JoAnne Schriver at 718-6204 or e-mail joannes@bhws.com.