Sioux 52: Building a Better Sioux Falls, One Mentorship at a Time
It’s hard to watch or read the news without encountering stories about the challenges facing our society, such as violence and rising crime rates. These issues often spark a desire to take action. However, the scope of these problems can feel overwhelming, and the initial motivation to make a difference can fade. The city of Sioux Falls has developed an initiative that is actively working to invest in the community. The initiative shows the power that healthy one-on-one relationships can have on individuals who need more guidance and/or support. It provides a hands-on opportunity for people to make a difference.
I stepped into my role at the Helpline Center in 2022, and at that time I was also asked to assist with coordinating Sioux 52, a mentoring initiative started by Mayor Paul TenHaken. After briefly researching Sioux 52, I realized what a unique and purposeful role it plays in Sioux Falls.
The Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative seeks to unify Sioux Falls through a long-lasting commitment to mentoring. While the term “mentoring” can often have an intense connotation, it is simply showing up and being a positive force in someone’s life. There are currently over 30 nonprofits offering unique mentoring opportunities in the Sioux Empire. These nonprofits serve a wide variety of populations, from kindergarteners to senior citizens. All the different nonprofit opportunities reflect Sioux Falls’ commitment to making sure the needs of all populations are seen and heard.
As the new year starts, new resolutions are made. I want to encourage individuals to make a resolution committed to truly making a difference. It is easy to point out all that’s wrong in the community, but instead of just highlighting the problems, participate in something that could be part of the solution. Sioux 52 is asking for one hour of your time a week to become a mentor. That’s one hour that you actively invest in someone else. One hour that can help an individual feel valued. One hour that shows a mentee they have someone that will show up for them, something not everyone is privileged to have.
Most recently, Police Chief Jon Thum spoke about the need for more mentors in the community while addressing the shooting at the Empire Mall. While it cannot be stated for a fact that mentoring will prevent certain crimes, multiple studies reflect that individuals who have a trusted adult present in their life are less likely to participate in violence and more likely to have higher self-esteem and a stronger sense of connection to the community they live in. While mentoring may not cause dramatic change instantly or show immediate results, it is impossible to measure the long-term impact it can have on a life.
If you feel called to become a mentor and be part of the change, please visit Sioux52.org. There you can sign up for a mentoring opportunity, learn more about the participating nonprofit programs and discover ways to promote this initiative at your place of work. Every single person can give one hour of their time a week, regardless of how busy their schedule is. While giving of financial resources is great, giving your time is arguably one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. People may appreciate a meal or monetary gifts given in the moment, but they are never going to forget someone who invested in them. I hope 2025 is the year that people feel called to become a mentor. January is National Mentoring Month and the perfect time to be part of something that is actively working to better the Sioux Falls the community.