SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Helmsley Charitable Trust has donated $500,000 to turn the old city annex building into Sioux Falls’ first community triage center.
“We’re anxious to start sticking some nails into walls here.,” says Mayor Paul TenHaken, standing in the old building for the big announcement.
The triage center, The Link as it’s called, will help drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with mental health issues.
TenHaken says a place to keep troubled people out of jail fits into the national discussion about law enforcement reforms.
“People want to see us just not use incarceration for every challenge in our communities, but what are other options…this is an answer to that.”
The plan is to have The Link open by February of 2021.
It’s a joint project involving the city, the surrounding counties, and Sanford and Avera Health.
Sanford President Paul Hanson says there are also personal motivations.
“For me, it’s very personal. For me, it’s very personal because I lost my mother to alcohol addiction.”
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