SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A non-profit organization that provides mental health support to teenagers and college students is rebranding.

Long Live MC is changing its name to Better South Dakota to extend its reach in the state and raise awareness for mental health.

The non-profit was created to honor the life of Manny Christopher.

Better South Dakota will focus on three missions: a scholarship, counseling, and a faith program.

This Saturday is Better SD’s first event at the El Riad Shrine, as they host a Counseling for Kids fundraiser. The event will award a scholarship to a public school in the Sioux Falls community.

“Being a safe space at school that allows students to know it’s okay to not be okay and to be able to provide those resources is something I am really excited about. Ultimately, I feel in every school, public school, the counseling program is what’s lacking, not that counselors themselves are lacking, but just funding and resources they have available to them. Being able to be a little part in that and provide some resources where they can utilize the funds,” said board member McKenzie Erickson.

“We still have Manny as the foundation. Long Live MC is still where we came from and we will never forget that. The only reason we exist is because of Long Live MC but the reason for Better SD is we wanted to expand our reach, open our arms out, and be able to touch anyone and everyone in the state of SD making a difference in raising awareness for mental health,” said Manny Christopher’s brother Denet.

The Counseling for Kids fundraiser at the El Riad Shrine is open to the public and will have an auction, keynote speaker, and scholarship presentation.

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