Your week, simplified: June 11, 2025

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

This week, we checked in with some local LGBTQ+ organizations ahead of the Sioux Falls Pride festivities this weekend about what they wish more folks knew about Pride Month. You'll also get smart about mending with a new nonprofit that's helping people fix their clothes and textiles. Plus, catch some shake-ups in the mayor's office and a jam-packed events guide for the weekend.

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

What your LGBTQ+ neighbors want you to know about Pride Month

Simplified: It's Pride Month. Ahead of the annual parade and festivities this weekend, Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with some local LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to talk about what they wish more people knew about Pride, as well as the support they need – and not just in June.

Why it matters

Pride originated not as a party, but as a protest and a way to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. For Morgan Peterson, youth support staff with the Transformation Project, that historical context is "crucial" for allies to know.
Pride is for everyone, said Rachel Polan, president of Sioux Falls Pride, and it's also a way to connect people with all sorts of resources from health care to voting resources to community groups – especially those working year-round to support the LGBTQ+ communities.
Both Polan and Peterson noted that allies are an essential part of both Pride and the year-round advocacy supporting the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ people in South Dakota.
- It's a particularly salient point as a new state law restricting transgender people's use of bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. in schools and state-owned buildings is set to take effect July 1.

"Allies, what we really need is the on-the-ground support," Polan said. "We need you to volunteer. We need you to donate, if you can. We need you to talk about issues for us when we’re not in the room."

Tell me more about Pride Month in Sioux Falls

GET SMART

Get smart about mending with Amber Hardy

Amber Hardy is the founder of Mend It 605, a nonprofit that helps folks repair their clothes and other textiles at no cost. She started sewing during the pandemic using her grandmother's vintage machine, and, after years of practicing and learning, she started Mend It 605 in March. Hardy sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified to chat about about sewing, building community and sustainability.

Photo by tata toto / Unsplash

Answers are edited for length and clarity.

How did you ‘get smart’ about mending things? What in your background prepared you for starting Mend It 605?

In my professional life, I am a licensed attorney and a trust officer, but with this, I was like poking around on the Secretary of State's website and decided to start it as a nonprofit. That's kind of how it came to fruition.

I started trying to sew many years ago, and then we had Covid, and I decided I was going to make a quilt.

It's all been a learning experience and YouTube and all these places – you can go online and get so much information.

I was listening to my podcast while I was sewing, and they were talking about a repair cafe. I was like, 'this sounds really interesting.'

I don't know about electricity and fixing lamps and stuff like that, but I know about textiles. I can help people fix their textiles, or I can show them how to put the button back on. It's very low stakes, and it's very fun.

We’re all about simplicity here. Can you describe what Mend It 605 is all about in 10 words or fewer?

Contributing and trying to be part of a circular economy.

When you talk about mending – what do you mean, exactly? What types of skills do folks need to be a ‘mender’?

They don't need to know anything. We offer the option of we’ll mend it for you, a volunteer will mend it for you, you can sit and do it with the volunteer and they’ll teach you and make suggestions.

Or you can just use our stuff. You don't have to have any experience or anything.
The idea of sewing it is so simple, people just don't know where to start. So come with a piece you need to mend or just come and hang out with us.

My favorite is when I'm just going out into the wild and whoever comes comes and whatever we end up doing even if it is just being nerdy and talking about repairs and talking about sewing, that’s exactly what needs to happen. It's community-building as well.

See the full interview here

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

State looks to reduce assistance program. The South Dakota Department of Social Services is looking at a new rule to reduce the amount of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) by 10% to align with its budget appropriation. That'll mean less money especially for families with children who find themselves temporarily in a tough spot. DSS will hold a public hearing on Friday, June 20, and you can have your voice heard on this rule change by either attending the meeting in-person or emailing dssadminrules@state.sd.us. More details here.
Mayor's office reorganizes. Mayor Paul TenHaken announced a few staffing changes in his office after Erica Beck's departure as chief of staff. TenHaken's new chief of staff will be Vanessa Gomez, who is currently his PR and communications officer. TenHaken is also shifting policy advisor Jenna Harris into a new role as "policy and strategic initiatives advisor." These changes will be effective June 30.
Wanna play at the Steel District? The Steel District put out a call for musicians and other performers to entertain the lunch crowds. It's a paid opportunity that'll take place during lunch every Wednesday. Interested? Fill out this form here.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: June 11-17

What a way to make a livin'.* Dolly Parton – need we say more?? The Premiere Playhouse is closing out its 22nd season with eight chances to catch the hit musical "9 to 5." Experience the ultimate tale of female empowerment, friendship, and triumph in the workplace that will have you dancing in the aisles. Snag your tickets here.
Celebrate culture. Lutheran Social Services' annual Festival of Cultures event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Levitt. There will be live music, a Global Village where you can explore cultures from around the world, vendors and several food trucks. Be sure to enjoy the evening Parade of Flags as well. More details and a full schedule here.
Celebrate Pride. The annual Sioux Falls Pride parade will get the party started at 10 a.m. Saturday downtown, and then the festivities continue at Yankton Trail Park all afternoon. Get more details here. And, if you want to make a full weekend of it, don't miss the after party at Club David and a drag brunch Sunday morning at Icon.
Support local artists. Calling all art lovers – you can support local artists and see all sorts of local makers at the Washington Pavilion Art Collective this weekend. It's free to attend, and you can stop by from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More details here.
Hit the lazy river. The Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Lazy 5K walk against the current on Saturday evening. Details and registration here.

*Denotes a sponsored event listing.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Encompass Mental Health, Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

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