RAPID CITY, SD – This fall, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation is inviting people across the Black Hills to celebrate the educators, schools, early learning opportunities and community supports that help children learn and thrive through the Education for Every Child initiative.

Education for Every Child is a nonpartisan community initiative built around a simple idea: when children have opportunities to succeed, the entire community benefits.

“The future of our community depends on the opportunities we create for children today,” says Jacqui Dietrich, John T. Vucurevich Foundation President & CEO. “We want to recognize the educators, families and organizations helping our children learn and grow while reminding everyone that building a community where kids thrive is a responsibility we all share.”

Community members can get involved in several ways this fall, including:
– Join the Education for Every Child March on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. beginning at Founders Park in Rapid City. Community members, families, students and educators are invited to walk the 5k route together in celebration of education and the people who make learning possible. Free “Education for Every Child” t-shirts available first come, first served.
– Display an Education for Every Child yard sign at a home or business.
– Request Education for Every Child apparel and help share the message throughout the community.

Education for Every Child uses the image of water gathering momentum to represent what happens when a community invests in its children:
A drop becomes a trickle.
A trickle becomes a river.
A river becomes a force of nature.
In the same way, the experiences children have today build toward something larger.

Education for Every Child is supported by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation as part of its work to strengthen opportunities for children and families throughout the Black Hills.

To learn more, request apparel or a yard sign, or find information about the October 24 march, visit UpstreamProjects.org