Rapid City, S.D. Catholic Social Services (CSS) has been awarded a two-year, $700,000 grant from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation (JTVF) to operate the Uplifting Parents program.

Uplifting Parents helps low-income single parents complete postsecondary degrees and certificates. Participants receive mentoring, monthly stipends, financial literacy education, childcare coordination, and crisis-diversion case management. It is the only program of its kind in western South Dakota.

Since 2014, Uplifting Parents has served 264 families and 509 children, provided more than 6,700 hours of mentoring, and graduated 148 participants.

Three-year funding from the Catholic Charities USA Social Innovation Challenge ended in June 2026, and the JTVF award is what keeps the program operating at full capacity. The award provides critical support as CSS continues building a diversified base of foundation, public, and individual funding for the program. The organization has also established a dedicated Uplifting Parents endowment through the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation to strengthen long-term sustainability.

Independent Research Supports the Program

JTVF funded both the original Uplifting Parents pilot and its expansion, which made a randomized controlled trial possible. The study was conducted by the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame.

Preliminary findings released in February 2026 showed significant gains for participants. Among parents pursuing four-year degrees, more than 70 percent completed their programs, compared with 54.8 percent of those in the control group.

The barriers Uplifting Parents addresses are often practical rather than academic. A childcare gap, vehicle breakdown, or scheduling conflict can quickly derail progress toward a degree or credential. Through individualized mentoring and coordinated support, the program helps parents overcome those obstacles and stay on track.

A Collaborative Model

Uplifting Parents operates through a coalition of more than 30 partner agencies that help identify participants and coordinate support services. CSS also partners with colleges and universities throughout South Dakota to assist parents pursuing certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

In addition, CSS is the first and only private agency in South Dakota to partner with the state Department of Social Services through the SNAP Employment and Training program, which helps reimburse qualifying participant expenses.

How to Support Uplifting Parents

While the JTVF award provides critical operating support through 2028, community support remains essential to the program's future. Gifts from individuals and families continue to play an increasing role in sustaining services for single parents working toward economic self-sufficiency.

To support Uplifting Parents, visit cssrapidcity.com/donate or call 605-348-6086.

Catholic Social Services has served western South Dakota since 1972. The agency provides counseling, adoption and family services, disaster relief, senior aging services, and community programming to people of all faiths across 22 counties.