The Power of a Happy Place with Trisha Rieffenberger
- Steve Jurrens
- 53 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD - Watertown, SD - For individuals navigating a serious medical diagnosis, the hospital room often becomes a secondary home. Trisha Rieffenberger, Director of the Watertown affiliate of My Happy Place, is working to change that narrative by bringing a “healing environment” directly into the homes of residents.
My Happy Place is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that specializes in room makeovers for children and adults battling chronic or terminal illnesses. The goal is to create a therapeutic space that lowers stress, reduces pain perception, and provides a much-needed sense of joy during an arduous journey.
“Oftentimes, the news that an individual is going to have a ‘happy place’ created for them is the first good news they’ve received since their diagnosis,” Rieffenberger shared.
The Watertown chapter relies heavily on community support and a “village” of volunteers, ranging from professional carpenters and painters to neighbors willing to provide meals for the crew. Each project is specifically curated to the recipient’s tastes—incorporating soothing colors, meaningful stimuli, and personalized comforts.
Beyond the aesthetic changes, Rieffenberger emphasizes that these makeovers serve as a reminder to patients that they are not alone. As the organization looks toward 2026, the focus remains on deepening partnerships with local businesses and universities to ensure that no resident faces a health crisis without a sanctuary to return to.
