Smiling women working on volunteer project.

Moving Health Forward

How Avera Is Tied to Your Community

While your well-being is our main priority, we know health care isn’t the only component of a healthy lifestyle. We need strong communities also. Avera wants to help everyone access a healthy lifestyle by working in two main areas: community partnerships and philanthropy.

Doing Good in Our Community

We recognize health care isn't the only aspect of a healthy lifestyle. That's why we partner every year with more than 250 organizations in many ways, including awareness of health information, healthy food, clean water and decent housing, to name a few.

Our community partnership program works with nonprofits that help to extend our mission and reach. Our foundations seek to extend, enhance and enrich the lives of those we serve.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
― Mother Teresa

Father and son talking

How Our Partnerships Benefit Communities

  • Rosebud Reservation: Partner with the Sicangu Community Development on "food prescriptions" people take to the local farmer's market for healthy food that helps prevent and combat chronic conditions

  • Marshall, MN: Partner with the Marshall Area YMCA to give children a $2 token each week to buy their own fruits and vegetables at a local farmer's market

  • Sioux Falls, SD: Partner with the Union Gospel Mission to purchase a mobile shower and laundry unit (plus provide soap and detergent) to support people who don't have access to these facilities

One Foundation for Growth

As a non-profit, missional organization, Avera Foundation helps to support our ministry and those we serve. Through these efforts, we provide:

  • Community health services and screenings
  • Health professions education
  • Subsidized services, including Careflight, emergency services, hospice care, transplant, and more
  • Research
  • Financial and in-kind contributions
  • Community-building activities

Learn More

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Volunteering Spirit

We rely on a network of volunteers across our facilities to help meet the needs of our patients, but we also have a network of employees who take time to volunteer in their communities.

We’re proud of this dedication to the spirit of giving.

Learn More

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Childrens Home Society

Children's Home Society

Children's Home Society is moving health forward by helping kids and families in South Dakota start a conversation on the importance of mental health through the “A New Norm” book project.

Mount Marty

Mount Marty College

Mount Marty University is moving health forward this year by giving students the hands-on tools needed to broaden their knowledge and become the future of health care!

Sioux Falls public schools education foundation

Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation is moving health forward by funding innovative and creative teaching strategies, like these sensory paths, that help students learn self-regulation strategies. We have also provided funding to purchase yoga mats, singing bowls, kinetic sand, heart rate monitors, cardio drumming equipment, calming kits, and more!

Boys and Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire

At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire we’re moving health forward by creating environments where staff and children big to small feel a sense of belonging and support. Creating a culture of well-being benefits everyone’s health.

Levitt Sioux Falls

Levitt at the Falls

Levitt at the Falls is moving health forward by offering 50 FREE, outdoor professional concerts for the community to enjoy this summer. We will offer people the chance to dance, to be uplifted, and connect as a community in the beautiful outdoors through the healing power of music.

Feeding South Dakota

Feeding South Dakota

Feeding South Dakota is moving health forward in all 66 counties of South Dakota by providing foods to encourage in our distributions - this means we bring fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy products to families and individuals who do not have access to nutritionally adequate foods.

Habitat Sioux Falls

Habitat Sioux Falls/ReStore

Habitat Sioux Falls/ReStore is moving health forward by partnering with local, hardworking families to build safe, secure, and affordable homes where children can thrive!

Built for Rural Health

Avera is committed to delivering quality health care in rural locations across the Upper Midwest. Learn More

How We're Moving Health Forward

Learn more about our four areas of focus in the communities we serve.

Or go to the Moving Health Forward main page.

Making a Community Impact

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