RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Youth Taskforce, part of the Black Hills Housing Stability Partners, is hosting an awareness event Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Main Street Square to spotlight youth housing insecurity during Youth Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month.
The event is designed to raise visibility for the challenges young people face and to inform the public about critical support services available in Rapid City and across South Dakota. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. at Main Street Square and will feature a community walk through the downtown area.
The walk will be preceded by welcoming remarks from an emcee, a song and drum group performance, and an appreciation ceremony where adult mentors will present certificates to Young Leaders of the Taskforce. Rapid City Councilwoman Callie Meyer is also scheduled to read a proclamation at the start of the event.
The walk is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. from Main Street Square. Participants will walk along Omaha Street to Mount Rushmore Road and then to Quincy Street, making a planned stop at WAVI (Working Against Violence, Inc.).
- 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Walk along the designated route.
- 6:15 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.: Stop at WAVI, where attendees will receive hot chocolate and presentations from service providers.
- 6:25 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.: Walk back to Main Street Square via 6th Street.
Upon returning to the square, the event will conclude with a youth sharing a personal story, followed by a closing Fancy Dance performance by Arvella, before the event wraps up around 7 p.m.
The Taskforce emphasizes the importance of community involvement in reducing the stigma associated with youth housing insecurity. They note that the initiative is critical for supporting the large number of young adults and students in the area who are housing insecure.
Statistics gathered for the South Dakota region highlight the urgency of the issue:
- The Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) McKinney Vento program identified 412 students as housing insecure since the start of the 2025 school year.
- The 2025 Point in Time Count identified 46 young adults ages 18-24 as homeless in Rapid City.
- The Coordinated Entry System reports 60 unaccompanied youth ages 18-24 are waiting for housing options statewide, with most cases in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
The Taskforce’s efforts, including the establishment of the Youth Action Board, have brought approximately $3 million in funding to South Dakota to address these needs. The community is encouraged to attend the Main Street Square event to learn how they can help end youth homelessness in the Black Hills.
