The Founder’s Award and the Order of St. Benedict Awards were given out at the Catholic Social Services Annual Gathering, September 30, in Rapid City. The awards recognize people who help CSS reach out to people in western South Dakota.

Dr. Grant Sasse, executive director of Catholic Social Services said the Founder’s Award recipient Jim Kinyon served as Catholic Social Services Executive Director from July 1992 to April 2024. Sasse said, “Jim now serves as Executive Director of the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation. Given the strong relationships he cultivated while at CSS he is well suited for his current role in the Rapid City Diocese.”

Sasse announced two new services offered by CSS. The Counseling Program is initiating Catholic Life Coaching for personal development and growth. He said, “It will guide individuals, couples and families towards greater meaning, purpose and transformation in their lives and vocations while recognizing God’s providence and love in their lives, renewing our identity as a child of God.”

He also promoted St. Anne’s Aging Services, a new service for seniors 62+ years old. It includes volunteer companions, or matching senior citizens with employed adults or college students for room rentals at below market rates — creating companionship and addressing the need for affordable housing.

The Order of St. Benedict Awards are for those who carry on ministries that reflect the work of St. Martin Benedictine Sisters of Rapid City. Colleen Lecy, principal of St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary, was a board member from 2008 to 2014. After leaving the board she has served on various program committees. In partnership with CSS the elementary school participates in the Angel Tree program providing gifts for CSS clients, and students assemble Thanksgiving baskets for those who are served by CSS.

Maynard Konechne is President of South Dakota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Response, known as VOAD. He has helped CSS with disaster response for the past 13 years. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was represented by Ralph Dupres. The Society lobbied the city of Rapid City for changes in water billing to reduce late fees and prevent water shut offs. From August 2024 to August 2025 the Society spent $204,000 serving more than 6,000 poor and needy friends in Rapid City.

Gogie Enstad, a past CSS board president, paid tribute to Kinyon. “I need hours to describe who he is and his blessings to our community. I settled on one word, M-A-R-V-E-L, as in expressing amazement at a person’s qualities and achievements. Marvel as in superheroes who possess extraordinary abilities and are dedicated to fighting evil (homelessness, addiction, and mental challenges) and protecting others.

“With God’s will as guidance Jim marvelously overcame funding, staffing and other startup needs. Under his leadership many programs were successfully implemented and are thriving today,” she said.

Fr. Robert Kinyon, Jim’s son, was also asked to speak about his dad. “Amid tremendous support from my mother (Lisa Kinyon), he was able to raise me and my four siblings in ways beyond what I can articulate. In the home, at plays, and at all the different sporting events, my dad has been a man of constancy.

“In many ways, his work has been animated by Jesus, lovingly giving himself to the people of S.D., with conviction,” said Father Kinyon.

Jim Kinyon attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, for two years, and he earned a master’s degree in counseling from S.D. State University, Brookings. He also gained experience working for two years at Catholic Charities in Worthington, Minnesota.

In his keynote address, Jim recalled several people who had influenced him in his career. He also recalled many of the challenges he and his staff faced during disasters and the pandemic.

“I come away inspired every year by the generosity of the people who are here knowing that I am going to ask for their money and they come anyway. They come because they know who Christ is and they want to be a part of his life. This is a great diocese and God does incredible things here,” he said.