SDS Holds Annual Open House, Seeks Staff & Contractors

SDS Executive Director, Kim Engsberg, Speaking with Visitor

Southeastern Developmental Services held their annual open house for the public this past Thursday, April 2.  SDS has been serving Prowers, Baca, Kiowa and Eastern Bent Counties for several decades and recently celebrated their 50 year mark of service to the region.

SDS Staff and Clients Enjoy the Noontime Buffet

During the open house, Executive Director, Kim Engsberg, spoke about some future developments for the organization.  “We’ve revamped our day program and have added a day program manager,” she explained.  “One of our immediate goals is to get the house we’ve purchased remodeled so we can use it as our location for our case management department.  That separation is a hot topic in the state at this point, to separate the case management from the service side of our organization, so we’re performing due diligence for compliances,” she added.  The house, also on South 4th Street, is almost immediately across the street from the SDS front office at 1111 South 4th.

SDS House for Renovation

Engsberg added that the house was purchased through an auction and has been gutted, and although she’s happy with the deal, the needed alterations haven’t progressed very much.  “We need to find a construction contractor who can do the walls and flooring for this house and some others. I’d really like to find a carpenter who will work or at least submit a bid on the project, but we’re not having much luck.”  There’s no exact date as to when the project needs to be completed, but Engsberg indicated she doesn’t want to have to wait an extremely long time.  She added, “We’re a non-profit agency, so any contractor who can donate their labor and time will get a tax write off on the project.”

While visitors were viewing a slideshow of various SDS programs and enjoying some noontime snacks, Engsberg mentioned that they are always on the lookout for additional staff.  “We’re understaffed at this point and I really need graveyard employees.  Those positions come with a $20 per night incentive.”  She said SDS also needs fill-ins for the residential staff to work during any absences. “They’ll be on back-up mode to help out if someone’s ill or on vacation.  We have some hours to fill if anyone’s interested.”

Engsberg mentioned that the staff is getting ready for their annual yard sale, scheduled for May 9 this year.  “We’re always accepting donations and we hope to have a full load for the public to lookover,” she stated.  The funds raised from the sale are used for trips and some special events for the clients.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact Kim or Adult Services Director, Dave Harbour at 336-3244.  The 5th Annual Walter Ely Scholarship Memorial is open for applicants until April 10th this year.  Two, $500 scholarships will be awarded in May for students who wish for funding for college.  Call the same number of send your 1,000 word essay on why you should receive the scholarship to SDS, PO 328, Lamar, CO 81052.

By Russ Baldwin