Volunteering with purpose: Building bridges of friendship with adults with disabilities

This paid piece is sponsored by DakotAbilities.

Teresa Mancuso has always loved to volunteer, and when she retired, there was no doubt in her mind about spending more time volunteering at DakotAbilities. Her husband, Tim, and her sister-in-law, Donna, both work there.

“My daughter and I volunteer at DakotAbilities, and we are always greeted with smiles by the people who are there for day services. We head over to the activities room and find people to play games with,” Mancuso said.

“We love encouraging them to use their imagination and try new things.”

Her daughter, Christina Bade, has been spending quality one-on-one time with two people supported by DakotAbilities, reading the “Little House” books to Char and helping Kevin write his second book.

“It’s such a win-win, and it makes me feel good,” Bade said. “One thing I’ve noticed at DakotAbilities is how kind their staff is. It really is all about relationships, whether you’re an employee or a volunteer.”

April is National Volunteer Month, and for most nonprofits, volunteers are a vital part of the organization.

At DakotAbilities’ Meaningful Day services, volunteers are an integral part of daily life and add a whole new dimension to the program. Meaningful Day activities center around art, music, life skills, nutrition and fitness.

“Everybody can do something here,” said Joe Dvorak, director of day services.

“It might be a group of co-workers who come to play bingo or an individual who wants to share a special skill like sewing or jewelry-making. Some volunteers like to help with gardens and yard cleanup. Every volunteer has a valuable role here because it’s not just about the activity, it’s about human interaction and making new friends.”

The wonderful thing about raising your hand to volunteer is there is no experience necessary, and all ages are welcome.

“We kind of joke around about the people we support getting tired of seeing our faces every day,” Dvorak said. “Volunteers are always greeted like rock stars; they bring something new and different to the table.”

On more than one occasion, “I’ve seen a volunteer and person supported have an instant connection and make an instant bond. It’s what keeps people coming back — when someone you meet here sees something in you they take an instant liking to,” added director of development Shelly Johnson.

Music is a prominent part of Meaningful Day services, with frequent performances by the South Dakota Symphony, Holly VandenBerg Music and Jesus Cares. Jacob Shoup with Jesus Cares is the director of youth and college ministries at Zion Lutheran Church.

“Being at DakotAbilities is something I look forward to every week. Getting to share the hope of Jesus through word and music is truly a special thing to be a part of,” Shoup said.

“We have been able to develop relationships with so many people that I know they look forward to our time together, and so do we. I encourage other people to step out of their comfort zone and look for opportunities to serve our community through volunteering opportunities.”

For people with disabilities, interacting with a variety of people is a gateway to building confidence and learning more about themselves.

“Society has come a long way, but there’s a long way to go in challenging and overcoming stereotypes and assumptions,” DakotAbilities executive director Nathan Stallinga said. “Whether you have or haven’t spent time around people with disabilities, you are welcome here. We get better one relationship at a time.”

Volunteering at DakotAbilities is easy. Businesses and individuals are welcome. Simply click here, or call 605-334-4220. Volunteer activities take place Monday through Friday at Longfellow Center, 1116 S. Fourth Ave.