Career Learning Center of the Black Hills

10/06/2026

🎨✨ You're Invited to Family Art Night! ✨🎨

Come celebrate the beautiful new murals and wall art at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills!

Bring the whole family for an evening of creativity, community, and fun. Explore our updated space, enjoy a FREE meal, let the kids get creative in our Kids Creation Zone, and take home FREE books!

📅 October 8
⏰ 5:30 - 7:30 PM
📍 Career Learning Center of the Black Hills
730 E. Watertown St.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or visiting for the first time, we'd love to see you there as we celebrate the power of art, learning, and community together.

🎨 Free Kids Activities
🍽️ Free Meal
📚 Free Books
🖌️ New Murals & Wall Art

Tag a friend and bring the family for a night of creativity and connection!

10/05/2026

Our ESOL class has been hard at work creating a mural for the classroom! 🎨 We will be unveiling the mural at an upcoming Community Art Night for our students, their families, and stakeholders.

The artwork for the mural was created by our students and celebrates our communities and the parts we all contribute to them!

09/19/2026

As we wrap up our AEFL Week celebration, we’re reminded that adult education is about more than individual success—it’s about building a stronger future for generations to come.

Learn more about the lasting impact of adult education and family literacy in this report:https://www.coabe.org/_files/ugd/107235_540b370fa2d74a9698f8dda506391eba.pdf

COABE

09/18/2026

🌟 We're celebrating the achievements and determination of our adult learners! Through our ESOL program, learners are building English skills, gaining confidence, connecting with their communities, and reaching personal and professional goals.

Hear more from Nicole and Sebastian about their experiences in our ESOL program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmtgDBQAzDM

COABE

ESOL Students at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills.

09/18/2026

We are amazed and inspired every day by the perseverance and GRIT of our adult learners!

09/18/2026

As we celebrate AEFL Week all week, we're excited to share our next adult learner success story in our series. Here is Myrna's story:

From First in the Family to First Responder

"I first enrolled in GED® classes in Rapid City in 2009 with the goal of becoming the first of my nine siblings to earn a high school equivalency credential. As a devoted mother of five children, I wanted to show my kids that they can do hard things and become lifelong learners and leaders in our community.

Over the years, Adult Education opened doors to workforce training opportunities, including Medical Terminology and Anatomy IET coursework, which helped me become a Home Health Aide, and FEMA IET courses. I continued pursuing my educational goals while balancing family responsibilities and earned my GED® in 2026.

My commitment to learning led to an opportunity with the Rapid City Fire Department's EMT training program. I recently completed the program and was honored to receive the Most Improved Student award.

This journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my husband, who has been instrumental in encouraging me every step of the way. What started as a goal to earn my GED® has become a pathway to serving my community as a future first responder. My story is proof that persistence, education, and a strong support system can transform lives and create opportunities for future generations."

COABE

09/17/2026

We can't wait to share our next adult learner success story later today!

It's a story of determination, hard work, family support, and ultimately connecting a talented and dedicated GED® grad to an employer in a high-demand field!

COABE

09/16/2026

As we celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, we are highlighting success stories of our adult learners. We are so excited to share Cindy's story! Today, just a few moments ago, Cindy passed her final exam--math--to earn her GED®!

🎉 Congratulations, Cindy!!! 🎉

Here is Cindy's story:

"Before I was even born, choices made by my parents affected my future. As a result, I live with several disabilities that stem from addiction and its impacts. While those challenges have shaped my life, they have never defined me.

What defines me is resilience.

One of my biggest goals has been earning my GED®. It has taken me more than ten years of dedication, persistence, and hard work, but I never stopped believing I could do it, and today I did it!!

While working toward my GED®, I also built a successful work history. I started as a housekeeper and eventually expanded my skills to include maintenance work. I have always taken pride in being dependable, hardworking, and trustworthy.

My ability to read, write, and communicate effectively opened doors for me professionally. My continued education has also had a direct impact on my earning potential.

Today, I am proud to say that I am dependable, self-sufficient, and genuinely happy. Education is something worth accomplishing, and I have stayed committed to finishing what I started.

Now that I have earned my GED®, I plan to continue learning by taking at least one Native Studies course. Completing my GED® is not the end of my educational journey. It is the beginning of a new chapter.

I have faced disability, loss, interruptions, and setbacks. Yet through it all, I have continued moving forward. My story is not about the obstacles that stood in my way. It is about the determination that kept me going.

And I am still learning, still growing, and still proving that it is never too late to achieve your goals."

COABE

09/16/2026

09/15/2026

Congratulations to South Dakota Representative Nicole Uhre-Balk on receiving the Friend of Adult Learners National Award from Naftae, the National Association for the Transformation of Adult Education (NAFTAE)!

The Career Learning Center of the Black Hills nominated Rep. Uhre-Balk in recognition of her commitment to adult learners and her support of adult education across South Dakota.

Thank you for being a champion for adult learners!
Naftae