He Sapa Community Alliance

02/14/2026

If only...

02/26/2025

Yes! They did it. So proud of you guys!

Institute for Justice: We will host a Zoom-based press conference today at 4pm MT:
https://ij-org.zoom.us/j/97197309663

Press Conference Advisory We will host a Zoom-based press conference today at 4pm MT:https://ij-org.zoom.us/j/97197309663 Kalispell, MT – The Flathead Warming Center secured a major victory […]

02/26/2025

More details will soon be shared about this, but it looks like they were simply trying to stay warm. 😥💔🙏🏽

One of the campers that was parked here on Monday morning is now at the center of an investigation.

02/19/2025

As expected, the tabled appeal was not removed nor addressed in any way last night.

As stated by the president of the city council, people want this problem to just go away. I have experienced this firsthand, with one community leader proposing euthanasia as an option! It is a very dangerous thing when a society begins to dehumanize its most helpless citizens.

Sorry to say, but houselessness is not going to go away, The core of the problem needs to be dealt with. At least allow us to try.

Leadership involves addressing and dealing with some very difficult problems and leaders must face those issues, not table them away.

Also, neither is it up to a city to determine whether a ministry is needed. If a church decides to do the work they've been called to do, the government needs to get out of the way.

Two weeks ago a Rapid City Church was denied permission to serve as a warming center for the homeless.

02/18/2025

Brother Abram doing good work.

02/18/2025

Hello friends,
I want to update you all (finally!) about First Presbyterian Church's application for a conditional use permit to the city to house the Common Grace Warming Center (operated by He Sapa Community Alliance).

At the February 3rd city council meeting, our appeal of the denial of our CUP application from the planning commission on January 9th was set to be heard and voted, up or down. Unfortunately, it was decided beforehand that all would vote against it. After four speakers were heard, Councilman Roberts made a motion to table the appeal. It was seconded and passed by unanimous vote. This essentially, allowed the council members to not have to engage in discussion nor force anyone to vote no, because that would not be a good look. There is also an election forthcoming this year.

We believe this is a misuse of the tabling procedure and Pastor Knudson has asked via email, that the matter be reviewed by the city and council and acted upon, with an answer of yes or no. So far, there has been no response.

Tomorrow night is the 3rd city council meeting of the month (on a Tuesday due to the holiday). The council has the opportunity to right the wrong action by removing the motion from the table at that meeting. If not, it dies.

An excerpt from Pastor Knudson's letter:
"My request, as stated above, is that the City Council make a decision on this matter. I believe our community has a right to know where our elected leaders stand on this issue, to hear their conversation, and our church deserves an appropriate response to the appeal as according to the Rapid City Municipal Code (17.54.030), the council is obligated to act. Hopefully, the council can reconsider its response to these matters."

Even if the appeal dies or is voted to be removed from the table, it will probably not pass but we and FPCRC will have followed procedure and have done our due diligence.

We still believe that this is government overreach into the ministry of a church, which is not lawful, according to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. We need to dig deeper into the law to determine if it is.

Regardless of what occurs tomorrow, we press on!

Lila Mehlhaff

01/22/2025

Wawokiye=giving to others without expecting anything in return. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

01/21/2025

Good afternoon to all,

I want to give a quick update on First Presbyterian Church's application to the city for a conditional use permit. FPC was willing to offer their church to house HSCA's warming Center this winter.

As stated in my last post, we were denied by the planning commission with the city, although we did receive two votes in support, which is two more than we expected.

Last Thursday, a citizen in our community filed an appeal of the denial on January 16th. We will now go before the city council on February 3rd.

I want to thank all the people who have contacted us in support. We request citizens in our community talk to their city council members, if you would like to support us in this matter. The lone city council member on the planning commission stated that he had only heard from the people who were against it and so that's why he would vote against it.

As always, we would appreciate your prayers and we thank you for action on this matter. We would request that everyone who would like to attend the February 3rd city council meeting, would walk in a spirit of peace and compassion for all.

Please share this post with as many people who live in our community, as possible.

Pilamayaye,

Lila Mehlhaff
HSCA Executive Director

01/08/2025

*******An update to the original post*********

Hi All,
First Presbyterian Church and HSCA went before the Planning Commission with the city on Thursday to hear the decision of our conditional use permit. We were denied.

We felt we adequately addressed their concerns and were joined by many members of the community who support our efforts, as well as many who didn't. In the end, we felt there were no really good reasons why they denied the CUP.

One of our main concerns was: Why a church is not allowed to do the work a church is called to do? It's what they've been doing for 2 thousand years.

The HSCA board of directors has voted to appeal the denial but will wait on FPC to determine if that is their wish, as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We will need them.

Blessings!
Lila

**************************************************************

Good evening all,

I want to share some exciting news! Common Grace Warming Center is moving forward into it's initial phase of existence! First Presbyterian Church of Rapid City has graciously offered to allow us to use their facility to host our very first shelter.

Who are we?

We are a Native-led, faith-based nonprofit. Our hours will be 5:30 p.m.-8:00 a.m., during the winter months, October-April each year. We will be able to host about 20 individuals, including women, women with children and families.

Our belief is that all humans are image-bearers of God and worthy of an abundant life. We will work to address the trauma underlying the mental health issues and substance use disorders and help move our clients through recovery and healing.

Please be in prayer for us as FPC will be going before the planning commission this Thursday, January 9th at 7:00 a.m. to apply for a conditional use permit to operate as a "mission."

How else can you help?

1. Volunteer-we also need the church and community partners to come alongside us in this ministry. We can't do this alone!

2. Donations are also welcome. We currently have a great need and will need to hit the ground running when we get approved. The Word says we already have what we need through Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3) but we need the resources to be manifested.

Please contact us by phone, DM or donate through Facebook, or our website below. Please share this with your friends!

Thank you!

Lila Mehlhaff
Executive Director
He Sapa Community Alliance

Common Grace Warming Center, Rapid City, SD | Common Grace Warming Center is a faith-based ministry that provides a warm, safe haven for those in our community who are without shelter during the coldest months of the year.