The Abbott House celebrated its 85th anniversary Saturday during a gathering of supporters and friends. Founded by Mabel Ronald in 1939, Abbott House has served more than 5000 children who suffered abuse, neglect and other personal trauma. It’s now offering its expanded services in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Mitchell.
Executive Director Eric Klooz says its growth over the last eleven years has been remarkable. “Back in 2013 we served 43 children at the Abbott House,” said Klooz. “About ten years later we serve up to 120 each day.” He noted that would add up to around 250 to 270 children they’ll see this year.
The Abbott House also recognized the 2024 Children’s Champions. The Iroquois Methodist United Women in Faith received the Children’s Generosity Champion award. Letcher native Dave Thompson received the Children’s Volunteer Champion award and Abbott House Board member Mary Fuchs received the Children’s Champion Award.
Meanwhile, the Abbott House, along with other non-profit organizations across the United States are subject to periodic review by the Council On Accreditation or COA.
Abbott House Board member Mary Fuchs said a reviewer from Missouri was in charge of examining Abbott House’s therapeutic foster homes and independent living apartments in Mitchell and Rapid City. He interviewed every staff member, foster parent and foster child. “He said for 20 years he’d been asking the exact same question: ‘Do you feel supported’”, said Fuchs. “And a hundred-percent of all those people said, ‘Yes, I do.’” She went on to say that was the first time in 20 years he had gotten that response.
Fuchs says the other reviewer also offered kind words. “And when the review came, there was not a single ‘ding’ or deficiency,” she said.
Fuchs remarked she’s never heard of a COA review with no deficiencies which speaks volumes of the work of Abbott House staff.