RAPID CITY, SD – It was a brisk evening, with the coldest days of winter behind us the city council began its second meeting of the year. Discussion was abound about TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and the definition of interest, however amidst this normal back and forth specific attention was paid to a motion concerning outreach program Journey On! Inc. and their standing agreement with the city.
Journey On! is a locally-based program working through grassroots efforts to “[facilitate] wilderness therapy, substance abuse/recovery, suicide prevention and other programs for at-risk populations” according to their website, and which has worked as a contractor for the rapid city government for multiple years, primarily through the 2020 onward Street Team Outreach program.
The motion in question was authorizing the Mayor and City Finance Officer to renew the group’s co-responder agreement with the city, setting the group as contractors with an allocated budget of $360,000 and providing law enforcement to work with professionals from the organization in enacting project goals.
In response to this item, Councilor Lindsey Seachris stated “I just want to acknowledge Journey On! having representatives in the crowd today, for the work you’re doing and the services you’re providing the community”. Councilor Greg Strommen followed up, saying “I just want to highlight the great work that Journey On! Does” and “I thought we should at least acknowledge, publicly, the great work that they do and how much we appreciate them.”
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting agenda is available here
