South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $15,000 to WellHouse Inc

South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $15,000 South Dakota Fund grant to WellHouse Inc (WellHouse). Funding will assist with outfitting the WellHouse Pizza Truck, an entrepreneurial experience for youth. 

“Youth participating in the Abbott House WellHouse program will gain hands-on experience in food preparation, customer service, marketing, scheduling, management, and essential business operations,” said Beth-Anne Ferly, Abbott House Assistant Development Director. “Our mission is to provide a supportive environment where they can build leadership skills and confidence, preparing them for success beyond our program.”

WellHouse is the incorporation of two well-established organizations, Abbott House and WellFully. WellHouse Pizza Truck will be a youth-run, adult-supervised business that will offer youth a chance to prepare for their future by practicing life and job skills. Youth involved in the WellHouse Pizza Truck will receive on-the-job training that will help them develop a work ethic and skills needed to ensure they thrive after leaving care. WellHouse also works with youth to provide the necessary tools to continue their healing process, find employment, and maintain employment. 

“SDCF is excited to partner with WellHouse to assist with the outfitting the Pizza Truck,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “Providing youth an opportunity to thrive and learn life skills to carry into their future is one to be proud of.” 

To learn more about funding opportunities offered by SDCF, please visit our website at SDCommunityFoundation.org.