Roy Roberts, Love INC, and Vicki Palmreuter, Great Plains QIN, lead a group of Better Choices Better Health workshop participants.

Individuals living in poverty struggle to maintain the basic daily needs of food, clothing and shelter. Those with pre-diabetes or diabetes have the added challenge of managing a chronic illness. Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) is a volunteer organization based in Rapid City, SD working with over 60 churches to transform lives through mutual service, education, friendship and prayer.

Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) logoLove INC walks alongside people through their journey by providing the daily needs of furniture, clothing, youth mentoring and education through four ministries: Clearing House, Clothe a Kid, Thrive and Life INC. Life INC is referred to as the Transformation Ministry and offers over 40 classes at four different campuses to grow life skills and promote better choices.

As the name implies, Better Choices, Better Health (BCBH) South Dakota is a natural partner to provide additional support for individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes. Life INC Program Director Roy Roberts explained the need, “Diabetes is a huge problem. We work a lot with individuals who live in poverty; and because of their life style and the general life style of our society, people simply do not eat the right kinds of foods.”

BCBH is a six-week program used to teach skills for managing diabetes including goal setting, eating right and exercising. Each Life INC student receives incentives in the form of basic need items, including food, gas cards, laundry cards and haircuts for completing homework and being at class on time. Roberts emphasized, “We do not give anything away. Everything given to people, they have to work for it in some way.”

Led by a Master Trainer and lay leader, each two-and-a-half hour session also provides the opportunity to share experiences and struggles with other members of the group. This format enhances Life INC’s ongoing goal to be a place where students develop a family and a support system.

“The purpose of the Better Choices, Better Health workshops is to teach individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes to manage their health and symptoms,” added Denise Kolba, program manager for Great Plains Quality Innovation Network. “The tools and skills shared in the workshop give participants the confidence and ability to make changes to improve their health and lives.”

“Many of our students have thanked me for this class offering. One student from a different campus asked if it would be possible that I would offer the class at her campus as well, which we are doing next quarter,” Roberts added. “We are very grateful for the partnership that we have.”

Love INC’s church partners will be hosting Better Choice, Better Health with Diabetes workshops at two locations starting in January.

  • South Maple United Methodist, Rapid City, SD: Tuesdays starting January 16 through March 6
  • Word of Hope, Rapid Valley, SD: Mondays starting January 22 through March 19

Great Plains QIN has Master Trainers who provide assistance to organizations and healthcare facilities interested in coordinating and referring individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Additional details on diabetes self-management education options and the diabetes care initiative can be found on the Great Plains QIN Web site.