Prairie Lakes Legacy Fund Launches with Investments Supporting Mental Health, Transportation, and Victims of Domestic Violence
The Prairie Lakes Legacy Fund, administered by the Watertown Area Community Foundation, has made its first round of investments in organizations serving the Prairie Lakes region.
These initial grants support a group of nonprofit partners working across health, human services, and quality of life initiatives. Organizations receiving funding include Human Service Agency, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Beacon Center, and others with longstanding ties to the Prairie Lakes region.
Kari Johnston, Executive Director of the Human Service Agency, shared how this investment will directly strengthen mental health services in the region.
“This support allows us to take a meaningful step forward in expanding access to care,” Johnston said. “The funding will help us recruit a psychiatrist, which has been a long-standing need in our community, and stren
gthen our capacity to support the dedicated staff who provide essential mental health services every day. It’s an investment not just in services, but in people.”
Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton is also experiencing growing demand for services across the region.
“Right now, we are turning away nearly 50 ride requests a day,” said Terry Hoffman, Co-Executive Director of Community Transit. “Transportation is a critical link to employment, healthcare, and daily life. We are incredibly grateful for this grant. It will help us keep people connected to the services they need.”
The Prairie Lakes Legacy Fund supports the Prairie Lakes region with a long-term focus on community impact. Grants are made to support both immediate needs and future priorities.
“This funding strengthens services our community relies on every day,” said Cammie Mengwasser, Executive Director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation. “Whether it’s access to mental health care, a ride to work, or critical services for families in crisis, these investments help ensure people can get the care they need, when they need it.”
Additional grant announcements will be shared as the Fund continues its work.
