Valiant Living celebrates 50th Anniversary June 24th
Valiant Living will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary providing supports and services to people with intellectual developmental disabilities in the Madison community.
In 1974, Valiant Living was established as ECCO as East Central Career Opportunities and was operated by volunteers from the DSU Special Education Department. Four people received services at that time. Formal incorporation happened in 1975 with board members Art Lampert, Mildred Andrews, Jan Kruell, Jim Simpson, Wally Fawbush, Stan Thorpe, Wilson Kleibacker, and Dalton Williams. In 1976 our name was changed to Every Citizen Counts Organization (ECCO). Our first paid staff was hired in 1977 and in 1978 we were certified by the State of South Dakota. Construction of a new home for 12 people began in 1980, and in 1982 a second group home was purchased for 8 people. In 2014, our Liberty home was constructed to house 8 people. In 2017, our Union home was constructed to house 6 people. We currently serve 42 people and employ 60 staff members. We have three residential group homes and also provide Independent Living services for those who reside in their own homes and apartments.
Valiant Living is one of 20 community support providers in South Dakota. These 20 providers serve over 4,000 people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. We provide a wide array of services and supports, the primary ones being residential and vocational services. We exist so that people can live in their own communities and be active and contributing citizens, rather than live in state institutions. We provide vocational services, with the goal of finding jobs in our community. We are proud to say that we provide quality services and are nationally accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership, which holds us to some of the most rigorous standards in our industry.
Valiant Living has employed six Executive Directors during the 50 years since inception – Margo Headrick, Deborah Bowman, Norman Jerke, Vicki Kommes, Jennifer Larsen, and our current Executive Director, Donna Uthe. Our current Board of Directors members are Amanda Trimble, Val Parsley, Eric DeKam, Tim Salmen, Tara Liesinger, Nancy Moose, and Sara Ketwig. Many community members, family and business members have served on the Board over the last 50 years, giving freely of their time and energy to support people who have disabilities.
Our mission is “Give Me an Opportunity and I Will Succeed!” We welcome everyone to join us in celebrating our 50-year anniversary on June 24th, from 4-6 PM at our main office located at 706 SW 7th Street. There will be a park dedication along with a tree planting dedication to board members who have passed.