A Conversation with our 2024 Bush Prize: South Dakota Winner
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) in partnership with the Bush Foundation, is thrilled to offer the Bush Prize: South Dakota program. This prestigious award recognizes organizations deeply valued in their communities that have a proven record of effective problem-solving. Bush Prize: South Dakota provides flexible funding, empowering recipients to bolster their reserves, explore innovative ideas, or support initiatives that advance their impactful work.
We are proud to announce Call to Freedom (CTF) as the 2024 Bush Prize: South Dakota winner. CTF received the maximum prize of $500,000 to further its mission. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, CTF is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing wholeness and healing to individuals affected by sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation.
For the 2024 Bush Prize: South Dakota, SDCF received 75 applications. Each submission was evaluated based on the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, collaboration and resourcefulness, as well as its demonstrated ability to create innovative solutions. Additional criteria included strong governance, financial stability, and a leadership culture that fosters innovation. From this competitive pool, six organizations were chosen as finalists, with CTF ultimately selected as the recipient.
SDCF’s Senior Program Officer, Ginger Niemann, recently spoke with CTF’s President and CEO, Becky Rasmussen, and Director of Grants Management, Rachel Schartz, to discuss how receiving the Bush Prize will enhance their organization’s impact in South Dakota.
When asked about the process to apply for the Bush Prize: South Dakota, Rachel shared, “I loved how the application process offered us a chance to deeply reflect on our organization’s practices, policy and processes.” Shared Rachel. “It gave us a chance to get into the details of how we serve survivors, as well as a chance to celebrate how far we have come over the years.”
CTF facilitates a healing path through its continuum of care model. The organization estimates up to 90% of survivors fall through the cracks–either they return to “the life” (on the streets), end up in jail/prison, or simply disappear due to a lack of specialized long-term care for survivors. CTF is working to lower that percentage, using survivor input to shape a more successful care model.
“Being a Bush Prize winner means the world,” shared Rachel, “We are constantly up against the battle of awareness. Natural human nature when faced with tragedy is to look away. But to solve a problem, you first have to acknowledge its existence. Winning the Bush Prize sends a resounding message to survivors that we believe them–we recognize what they’ve been through, and we are not looking away. We are here to solve this problem.”
“Natural human nature when faced with tragedy is to look away. But to solve a problem, you first have to acknowledge its existence.”
Becky Rasmussen, CTF President & CEO
When asked how CTF will be able to grow their organization with the Bush Prize: South Dakota prize money, Becky shared, “This grant allows us to dream. Along with expanding our overall reach and services, we are looking at increasing training and outreach to Indigenous communities. We see the need and we are ready to connect.”
CTF is also preparing to move into a new facility in 2025, a milestone the organization has been working towards for years. The Bush Prize funds will play a crucial role in ensuring this new location significantly enhances CTF’s services and care.
A cornerstone of CTF’s continuum of care model is Marissa’s House, a facility with 12 units for mothers and their children. Housing is a critical need, as there are only 529 beds nationwide for trafficking victims; CTF provides 36 of those beds, a number they aim to expand with the support of the Bush Prize.
“Trauma doesn’t fit into a convenient timeline. Victims can stay with us anywhere from two months to two years.” shared Becky, “It is our goal to be there for them as long as it takes to heal and to see moms reunited with their children. To hear a child thank us for believing in their mom…it is a true privilege for us to do life with the victims that walk through our doors.”
