Youth & Family Services

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works to help close the opportunity gap for disadvantaged children and young people in the Black Hills community. Serving children and their families since 1965, YFS has grown to become one of the largest, most comprehensive youth development organizations in western South Dakota.

Our mission is to support children and their families in being capable, caring, and contributing members of the community.

Our vision is that children in western South Dakota will develop healthy bodies, inquiring minds, wholesome relationships, compassionate hearts, creative spirits, the conviction to stand up for themselves and others, and the courage to build a better society.

Each year, we serve thousands of children and their families throughout 31 counties in western South Dakota—many living in poverty—providing food, access to health care, counseling services, trauma treatment, education, prevention programs, and other support. Our programs have proven successful in increasing the well-being of children, birth through age 18.

YFS operates nine programs braided together to form a strong and inclusive outreach to underserved children and their families. Our programs include:

• Child Development Center
• Counseling Center
• Family Support and Advocacy Services
• Girls Inc. of Rapid City
• Middle School Program
• Home-Based Head Start
• Nutrition Services
• Rapid City Head Start
• Western Prevention Resource Center