SDS Hosting April 2 Open House

SDS Director, Kim Engsberg

SDS, Southeastern Developmental Services Awareness Day will be observed in Prowers County on Monday, April 2 and an honorary proclamation was approved by the Prowers County Commissioners during a visit by Kim Engsberg, SDS Executive Director.  “We’re scheduling our open house for that day, from11am until 1pm, and the public is invited to attend the festivities,” she said.

Engsberg said that because of the success of this year’s can collection, SDS is offering two, $500 scholarships for students in the Walter Ely Scholarship Fund.  David Harbour, Adult Services Director, said the organization is currently aiding 104 families in the area, and Engsberg made an appeal for assistance on jobs for residents, “Our community integrative employment program is still going strong, but we could use more jobs.  Any businesses or homeowners or people who need janitorial services can call us to see if we can carve out some jobs for our clients.  If people had any need for document shredding, we can pick up the materials and do it at our facilities.”  She said that SDS currently employs 57 persons and another three will be added next week after background checks have been completed.

Engsberg added that a new program was developed for the organization and provides a unique service for youngsters in the area.  “Amy Carr and April Harbour run the program called The Imagination Library.  All the children up to age five in the county will receive a free book in the mail every month,” she explained.  She told the commissioners it costs $25 a year for each child, and “For a book a month for five years, that’s pretty great.”

On another note, she said it was that time of the year when she requests a handicapped bus or van to transport SDS clients to and from the center.  “Our current one is on its last leg,” she explained and was informed by commissioner Buxton-Andrade that there may be a possibility in about another year as the county takes an assessment of the PATS vehicles.

SDS House for Renovation

Harbour said SDS purchased a house across the street from the facility on South 4^th and is seeking contractors who can gut and renovate the building.  “We’re struggling trying to find contractors in town who have the time to take over the project and give us a bid,” he stated.  Engsberg said SDS can only hire licensed and insured contractors, but if contractors want to volunteer some of their time, the licensing issue isn’t needed.  “We’d purchase all the supplies, if some of them have the time to volunteer some of their skills,” she told the commissioners.  She added that once it’s remodeled, it’ll be used as a conference center for SDS meetings.

Commissioner Buxton-Andrade made a brief presentation about creating an annual award for the Farm Ranch Family of the Year which will be discussed with Jack Bamber and Bill Wootten.  She said the idea has been very receptive by the Sand and Sage Fair Board and the concept is being taken from the award presented each year in Baca County.  Buxton-Andrade said the details of how it would be presented for Prowers County are still being discussed.  The presentation is being planned for the annual Prowers County Fair in August.

By Russ Baldwin