Alpha Center 801 E. 41st St Sioux Falls, SD 57105

www.alphacenterfriends.com (605) 361-3500

Volume 32, Issue 3, Summer 2015

Alpha Center Newsletter

Return Service Requested

3 1 YEARS OF CARING

Page 8

STAY UP TO DATE! Visit us Online @

www.alphacenterfriends.com or join us on

FACEBOOK and TWITTER

Upcoming Events:

Sioux Empire Fair—July 31-August 9 LifeLight—September 4-6 Sidewalk Arts Festival—September 12 Bike for Life—September 19 Purity Ball—February 6, 2016

Thank you! We want to extend a hero-sized thank you to

those who were part of the Alpha Center’s

Victory Dinner! Whether you were a guest,

volunteer, donor or prayer warrior, your

faithfulness and support were a blessing.

The Crevier family kicked off the night with

their amazing Spin-tacular Basketball Show.

The rest of the evening featured uplifting

special music, heart-touching testimonies

and a motivating inspirational speech from

featured speaker, Dr. Allen Unruh.

Please keep us in your prayers in the coming

weeks and months as we look to fulfill our

vision of increasing our social network

presence, advancing our website

optimization, continuing our billboard/media

campaign and preparing our client services

to meet the needs of the clients we will see

as a result of the anti-coercion legislation.

Thank you for being an Everyday Hero!

What’s Inside

From the Founder– page 2

Volunteer Spotlight-page 2

Victory Dinner –page 3-4

Client Story

Gifts Given

Upcoming Events

*Diapers (all sizes; especially newborn, 4 and 5)

*Wipes

*Bottles & Pacifiers

*Diaper Bags

*Teething Rings

*Formula

*Toiletries (shampoo, lotion, non-talc baby powder, diaper rash

cream)

*Baby Baths

*Jumpers/Bouncy Seats

*Activity/Entertainment Centers

*Swings

*Car Seat/Stroller Combos

*Cribs

*Pack & Plays

*Gender Neutral Newborn Clothing

*Gender Neutral Swaddling Blankets

*12-24 Month and 2T Clothing for Boys and Girls

*Nursing Pads

*Pre-natal Vitamins

Page 2 Page

What an amazing opportunity it has been to wrap up from the Victory Dinner where we honored all our Everyday Heroes. I

enjoyed seeing the faces of everyone in attendance – those new to our ministry and those who have been with us since the

beginning. Even if you couldn’t join us this year, you can experience some of the Victory Dinner highlights in the next few

pages. I hope you find inspiration and encouragement as you read about some of our Everyday Heroes who serve as

volunteers in several aspects of our ministry.

The Alpha Center has been faithfully serving the tri-state area for 31 years – reaching women and men who are frightened,

alone and overwhelmed by their circumstances. Will you be an Everyday Hero by serving? We need you! We are actively

looking for Church Champions to be a contact person for their congregation and share about the work Alpha Center is doing

in the community. We are always in need of volunteers for special projects, upcoming events,

summer weeding/watering, mentors, prayer partners and financial supporters.

Please consider how you can make an impact in our community by coming alongside the

Alpha Center. You have the opportunity to change hearts and save babies. As you read

about the Life Skills classes in this newsletter, you will see how Alpha Center strives to meet

every client where they are at. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

Please contact us at info@alphacenter.org, call 605-361-3500 or fill out the enclosed envelope

if you are interested in volunteering, being a Church Champion or to make a donation.

For HIS Unborn,

Leslee Unruh

Founder

My name is Nicole Osmundson and I have been volunteering at the Alpha Center in a variety of

counseling roles since my first child was born 14 years ago. After having a baby, I wasn’t

working full time and wanted to contribute my time to a cause that I was passionate about. My

mother suggested the Alpha Center and I soon started as a client advocate. As time went by, a

need arose for a post-abortion counselor. I didn’t think it was my calling, but agreed to pray

about it asking for a clear answer. God answered right away and I spent several years ministering

to women hurting after their abortion. Being a mom of four kids makes it difficult to come to the

Alpha Center to volunteer so I am now serving as a hotline advocate answering calls when the

office is closed.

My favorite role over the last 14 years was the time spent as a post-abortion counselor. I am in

awe of the transforming power of God’s forgiveness. To see a woman transformed through God’s

power is incredible and I have many memories of seeing women’s lives changed and restored. To see a woman who came in

broken and not even able to look me in the eye find restoration and self-respect so she could one day stand up in court to

testify against abortion is amazing. The women I counseled taught me and were so inspiring. I feel like I gain more from

volunteering than I give and I love being able to see how God can move in a person’s life. It is a great experience when a

baby is saved, but even more powerful when you see a woman saved and her family restored.

I love to share John 10:10 with the women I counsel. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that

they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus comes to give abundant life, regardless of the choices someone has made

in the past. I am so impressed with the Alpha Center staff who are on the battlefield day in and day out. I am honored to be

part of this awesome ministry of God.

Stop by the Alpha Center on a Tuesday night and you

might have a hard time finding a parking spot! Walk in

and you’ll find clients attending a Life Skills class, a

Bible study or even a mentoring session.

We do three Life Skills sessions a year, each with 12

weeks of classes. Participants can graduate if they

attend 11 of the 12 classes. This year we have already

had 11 graduates. We survey the clients after each 12

week session ends and one thing that is consistently

requested is that we add more classes/weeks to the

session. They build friendships with each other and the

Tuesday night Alpha volunteers and they want to keep

coming!

One of our goals is to offer some specialized classes

throughout the year such as job training and dressing

for success. Another goal is to continue growing our list

of mentors so after a client graduates and their child is

born, they can still stay connected to the Alpha Center.

We currently have a number of mentor programs

meeting on Tuesday night and throughout the week

including 24/7 Mentor Dad, Women’s Bible Study,

Earn While You Learn, Sexual Integrity and the Family

Project.

All of these programs are successful because of the

amazing individuals who volunteer their time. This is a

great opportunity for someone who cannot volunteer

during our regular business hours. We are currently

looking for volunteers who would be willing to mentor

some of our clients, so if you are interested please call

the Alpha Center to get the volunteer process started!

These programs are an integral part of helping our

clients learn to make positive, life-changing choices

that will lead to becoming better individuals who can

successfully parent and build relationships. Thanks to

your generous financial gifts, we are able to provide

outstanding materials and resources for our volunteers

to use.

Graduates of Life Skills Class

Mentor Deb with Client

Volunteer Colleen leading Women’s Bible

Study

Mentor Dad Group

“I needed to work through the

past and take hold of the hope that

Alpha Center offers.”

Page

Page

Name In Honor of

Marj Anderson Dorothy Henkel, Marilyn Mendenhall, Teresa Deckert, Rebecca Mikel and Monica Spoerer

Rosemary & LeRoy Bender Stacy Sims, Jaimee Bender, Jenn Bender, Vanessa Boyd and Victoria Boote

Dwight & Deb Beukelman Marlyss Hanssen, Lillian Beukelman, Tiffany Pope and Brittany Foley

Lillian & Dennis Beukelman Our 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren

Boyers Automotive Repair Chris Briest

Donald & Helen Brands Harriet Moss

Edward & Claudia Brunick Mary L. Harris

Mark & Jean Conzemius Dr. Glenn Ridder

Dennis & Sharon Den Hartog Jeanette Roetman

Grant & Linda Diekevers Joan Rens

Mr. Daniel T. & Angela Digatono Betty Barrett

Russ & Rhonda Grimm Rhonda Grimm

Roger & Olive Grimsrud Lori Keller and Lunette Grimsrud

Royce & Lunette Grimsrud Lori Keller and Olive Grimsrud

Louis & Becky Hall Veronica Niehaus

Harriet Hansen Jan Hansen, Lindsey Hansen, Kristi Hansen, Katie Dale and Stephanie Slater

Dr. Leslie & Lisbeth Heinemann Kathleen Fromelt and Sister Gianna

Larry & Marcia Hoekstra Burdella DeJager

Ben & Agnes Hofer Emily Gulbrandson

Lee & Betty Holst Vicki Holst, Deanna Holst, Belinda Isaac, Karen Whitehead, Young Mi Kim and Ita Mututwa

Joseph & Cara Hull Karen Hull and Valerie Able

Fannie Janssen Jodi Deen, Karen Janssen, Michelle Janssen and Ashley Janssen

Mitchell & Nancy Johnson All mother's greatest gift from God- Children!

Harald Julsrud Jr. Lalita Godinez and Fabiola G. Julsrud

Carol Kelderman Sharla Kelderman, Kari Kelderman, Kayla VanVeldhuizen, Trisha Kelderman, Hermina VanMeeteren, Gertrude Kelderman

David & Kay Kroese Joyce Vander Well, LaVonne Kroese and Hilmore Kroese

Dwaine & Wilma Kruse Jennie Engelkes, Tillie Rook, Thelma Dick, Sharma Brockmeyer and Raevette Loonan

Jason & Alexis Kuiken Kelli Richter, Karen Kuiken, Brandi Bethke and Kasey Kuiken

Virginia & David Kull Mary Guenther

Chris & Stephanie Kuperus Nyla Kuperus and Carol Lems

Larry & Marvella Landman Leslee Unruh

Dick & Loretta Leonard Our 34 great grandchildren

Denise & Dwight Melius Donna Neises, Laura Melius, Angela Johnson, Katie Melius and Jodi Melius

Erica & Andrew Miller Jenelle Miller and Patti Graber

Kristin & Justin Nichols Kate and Ellie

Curt & Cheryl Niewenhuis LaVonne Dykstra

Larry & Susan Olson Emilie

David & Barbara Overland Marjorie Beckel and Ernestine Aggen

Sue Parton Violet Whitworth

Tim & Juli Peppel Zachary Aston

Stephanie & Tim Pierson Reyna Sharpe and Kathy Pierson

Mark Powers Debi Powers

Floyd & Karel Reiman Goldie Eisenbraun

Brad & April Ruckert Marian Carpenter.

Daryl & Kathy Runion Elyse Joy Whitley

John & Karen Rust Ruth Voss and Edwina Rust

Reverend George & Julene Sagissor My grandchildren

Gary & Amy Schaap Iris Schultz and Anna Schaap

Doug & Linda Schaeffer Donna Zeeb

Arlan & Marcia Scholten Irene Pennings and Miranda King

Katie & Travis Shaykett Barb Swift

Jeff & Nora Slykhuis Shirley Stewart, Kristin Slykhuis, Marlene Slykhuis and Maretta Budden

Rose Stocking Stephanie Williams, Shannon Williams ,Michelle Hill, Ali Hart, Kendra Edwards, Jan Stocking, Rita Stocking, LaVonne Stocking, Ivette Stocking, Ronda Stocking and Janelle Stocking

Darwin & Camille Tuscherer Amaya

Warren & Pat Vander Pol Joan Caswell and Agnes Vander Pol

Mark & Deb Van't Hul Kathryn Vaandrager and Mary Van't Hul

Orville & Arlene Van't Hul Sherry Van't Hul and Darla Van't Hul and Benjamin Vant Hul's 22nd Birthday!

Dale & Katie Van Veldhuizen Catherine Mino

Gerald & Donna Wiersma Donna Wiersma

Steve & Jennifer Williams Sandy Strom

Bruce & Holly Wilsey Carolyn Bill and Caroline Wilsey

Sharon Zylstra My sponsored daughter

Name In Memory of

Dr. Ronald & Janell Beck Gloria Beck

Alfred & Gwen Braddock Walt & Frieda Petersen and Alfred & Doris Braddock

C. Kevin & Betty Carson Tobias Carson

Rev. George & Mary Clausen Evelyn Aldorfer and Clare Clausen

Joann De Kruif William J. De Kruif

Jerry D & Darlene Delker Rose Arbach & Anna Vielhauer

Dave & Rose Marie Eitemiller Cheryl Anne Anderson

Orma Fieber Don Fieber

Michael & Sandra Fitzgibbons Leo J. Travis

Larry & Gaylen Grensberg Caryl Lynn Poppen

Russ & Rhonda Grimm Shirley Gingery

Marvin & Vernette Guthmiller Ruth Simonsen

Terry & Marcia Haaland Phoenix Burmeister

Vern & Arlene Haase Verina Teide and Darwin Behl

Calvin & Alice Hagge Cornelia Hagge

Gene & Jeanine Harms Donald and Eunice Hampton

Larry & Marcia Hoekstra Harry DeJager, Harvey & Katie Hoekstra and Andy & Tillie Sipma

Fannie Janssen Minnie Molengraaf and Ady Walburg

Alvin & Bonnie Jensen Sharon Jensen

Gary & Janice Jerke Edward Claassen and Verina Tiede

Aric & Sharla Kelderman Mary Ann Wynia

William & Sadie Kortemeyer Pete Kooi and Duane Blare

Allan L. & Jeanette Kostboth Mary Schmidt

Vernon & Loretta Kraft Karen Bechen and Kenny Peters

Carolyn Kroeker Lorraine Kroeker and Suzanne Hofer

David & Kay Kroese Pier W. Wynia

Dwaine & Wilma Kruse Sherrie Heimgartner

Renee M. & Merle Leibel Charlotte Mulloy & Frances Leibel

Peter Mack Mildred Schweer and Charles Strang

Denise & Dwight Melius Rosemarie Melius

Betty J. Merritt Johanna Branigan, Ruth Merritt, Patricia Nichols & Kate

Donald & Georgia Miller Samantha Miller

Tammy & Brett Miller Samantha Miller

Kristin & Justin Nichols Dale Stange

Ervin R. & Arleen Ortman Minnie Ortman and Elsie Thiele

Tim & Juli Peppel Travis

Peter & Nelva Pollema Clarence and Jennie DeKam

Carl & Cindy Pravecek Alice Pravecek

Patricia Proper Raymond Proper, William & Cora Proper, Nelson Proper, Sherian Czajka & Ted & Stella Czajka

Al & Carol Reuer Denis Arbach

Shirley Roetman Leo J. Travis

Alan & Gloria Rops Wava Rops and Mildred Gilbertson

Agnes Salverson Michael Leonard and Bill Witt

Arlan & Marcia Scholten Esther Scholten

Alice Ann Stange Alyce Hoyer

Rose Stocking Vivian Stocking

Tom & Barb Travis Leo J. Travis

Merle Twedt Dan Nagel

William L. & Margaret Urlick Irene Ward

Orville & Arlene Van't Hul Daniel Gene Vant Hul

Vernon & Janice Van Vuren Nellie VanderKlok and Richard VanderKlok

Stephen & Catherine Wilson Baby Klinkhammer

Willard & Donna Zeeb Leona Mehlhaf

Larry & Sylvia Zevenbergen Donna Gasper

Shortly after I got pregnant, someone told me

that I had no integrity. That statement really

upset me, and for a long time, I held on to it

for all the wrong reasons. But now I see that

what they said was true, and that I needed to

work through the past and take hold of the

hope that Alpha Center offers.

The main program I focused on is the Sexual

Integrity Program, and it has been very

difficult for me. In the past, I convinced

myself to avoid uncomfortable tasks. This

program has made me realize that I cannot

stuff memories and emotions down and hope

they will change. This program has shown

me that I need to do the hard work to

make changes in my life.

Over and over again I have been reminded

through this program that I need to be honest

– with myself and with others. I know that I

cannot keep having children with men who

do not value me. I believe what I am

learning. I believe my counselor. I am even

starting to believe in myself. But most of all,

I believe in the love that Jesus has for me. I

believe that I was bought at a price (1

Corinthians 7:23) and that I am worth more

than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

I am excited that my children will have a

mother who will be free at last to see

herself as the Creator does. I know we will

have the best life – a life of loving

relationships, self-respect, and Jesus at the

center of it all. To God be every victory for

each of us. Thank you and be blessed.

Attorney General Marty Jackley served

as Emcee for the night

Featured Speaker Dr. Allen Unruh

captivated the audience with his message

Alpha Center Founder Leslee Unruh

gave the Ministry Update

Board Member Dr. Patti Giebink lead prayer and

shared how God changed her heart

Attorney Bret Merkle gave a testimony of why he and

his family support the Alpha Center

The Crevier family provided entertainment with

their Spin-tacular basketball show! April Kurtz provided beautiful dinner music

Client Emilie gave her testimony of how

she came to the Alpha Center

Deanna Grimm shared her awesome

musical talents during the program

Client Darnesia shared how the Alpha Center has impacted her

and her son’s lives