Nov. 2, 2021

Furniture Mission of South Dakota has purchased land and will be the final nonprofit organization joining the Empower Campus on the east side of Sioux Falls.

Furniture Mission works closely with other ministries and agencies who refer individuals and families to its services, making this “a pivotal decision to join the Empower Campus,” the organization said in a statement.

Its mission “is to demonstrate the love of Christ by providing those in need with gently used furniture and household items. Each person who receives furniture is referred by a social service agency, school, church or hospital.”

Currently, the nonprofit is located on the east side of downtown at 209 N. Nesmith Ave.

“The Furniture Mission of SD is honored and excited to be the final nonprofit to join the Empower Campus. Purchasing the front portion of the track right on 10th Street will bring wonderful awareness to our mission of Making Houses Into Homes,” executive director Janean Michalov said in a statement.

The Furniture Mission joins other nonprofits at the campus, which used to be the South Dakota School for the Deaf, between Eight and 10th streets several blocks east of Cliff Avenue. They include Children’s Inn, which is under construction, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, The Community Outreach, Center of Hope, Compassion Childcare, Destiny Outreach After Hours Clinic, New Haven Ministries, Nations: The Native American Ministry of Cru, New Roots Ministry, Lifeline Children’s Services, Bethany Christian Services and Call to Freedom.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the Furniture Mission be part of the Empower Campus,” said Rich Merkouris, chair of the board of directors for Empower Sioux Falls.

“The Furniture Mission meets a critical need in our community and does a great job of collaborating with others. The Empower Campus exists to identify unique gifts in the community and unite in service. The Furniture Mission has a unique mission, and we are excited to serve together.”

The timeline for construction will depend on fundraising, but the project has been selected for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce appeal campaign in the spring of 2022.