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Employee of the Month October 2021

Employee of the Month October 2021

Posted on October 28, 2021,
Employee of the Month HR News


Follow the link at the bottom of this page to nominate an employee who has been Working for Good!



Congratulations to the following winners for Employee of the Month!

Sioux Falls Children’s Home campus:
Kaya Hantsbarger : Kaya went to SCM training to become a trainer for the SF campus. She has been willing to switch shifts with staff when needed, help out extra and do tasks that need to be done on the unit. Kaya does a great job planning fun activities, making relationships with kids and works to find what best helps them. She is a great listener and supporter of the children. Kaya is a team player. She gives great input to staff meetings. Kaya - you are a valued and important member of our team! Thank you for all you do!


~ Nominated by Nici Petrich

Keith Christofferson: Keith has gone above and beyond numerous times for us at Bright Start, however, this nomination is for the times Keith has checked our "old office" site for packages that may have been delivered and brought them to CHS or so kindly put them in the garage so they were "safe" from porch theives! Thank you Keith for being our "UPS" delivery guy and then emailing me to let me know where I can find the packages! I really appreciate your kindness! :-)
~ Nominated by Kathy Schneider

McKaela Larkin: Kaela is organized, hardworking, and helpful! Kaela has done a great job working with students in the classroom and helping in many other ways as well. Thank you Kaela!
~ Nominated by Jordan Hofer

Black Hills Children’s Home campus:

LexyJo Deneke: LexyJo was scheduled to have the day off. She came in to lead a hike for administrators. Beyond that, she was willing to come help on wakeup...and all on her day off! She's an incredible teammate. Thank you, LexyJo, for your willingness to go above and beyond!
~ Nominated by Rachel Kraft

Amanda Falk: Amanda moved up to my ATC in August and has been doing an amazing job. When she took the position she stepped in head on and focused on the safety of our children and what is best for the unit. When I am gone from work I have no doubt in my mind that Amanda will have everything in control and our kiddos are thought of first. Amanda handles the pressures that come with our job very professionally and doesn't let anything get in her way of doing her job. Thank you Amanda for being who you are, you are an amazing person.
~ Nominated by Candi Davis

Jerry Bamsey: Jerry "reached across the state" and helped me learn what I needed to know about kitchen ranges to help prepare a grant. He has gone above and beyond and has answered endless questions with patience and kindness!

Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety:
Gwen Peterson On a day when everyone was going different directions in shelter, we learned a little girl was turning eight. No one had noticed the birthday, so we did what shelter does best, we rallied together to get gifts ready and wrapped. There was no time to bake a cake. When asked, Gwen was happy to run to HyVee to purchase whatever kind of pink, purple, Barbie, or sparkle cake they had. She even asked them to add sparkles for our birthday girl. Rallying together was exactly what we needed to make the Birthday Girl happy and her mom relieved that her little girl could have a party.


~Nominated by Kobi Ringling

Sioux Falls Children’s Home Campus Nominees

  • Alexis Wilcox
  • Angie Smith
  • Audreyanna Martin
  • Brandi Casillas
  • Breckin Steilen
  • Izzi Lee
  • Jade Rozenboom
  • Jaycee Breidenbach
  • Karen Mendez-Diaz
  • Karissa DeWeerd
  • Kate Swalley
  • Kaya Hantsbarger
  • Keith Christofferson
  • Kris Evans
  • Maddie Cronin
  • McKaela Larkin
  • Monique Renville
  • Ross Leonhardt
  • Sam Uwizeyimana
  • Sarah Crager
  • Scott Colwill
  • Shelby Altfillisch

    Black Hills Children's Home Campus Nominees

    • Amanda Falk
    • Cortney Mattson
    • Jace Jackson
    • Jerry Bamsey
    • Lakota Carbone
    • LexyJo Deneke
    • Taylor (Hollis) Ely
    • Vanessa King

    Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety Nominees

    • Gwen Peterson nominated
    • Melissa Edman nominated
    • Melisa Edman nominated 
    • Janice Lee nominated
    • Alicen Hauck nominated 
    • Melissa Jenkins nominated 
    • Deb Mathews nominated
    • Deb Mathews nominated
    • Amanda O’Neill nominated 
    • Amie VanDenHul nominated 
    • Darlene Hillmer nominated 
    • Jaelynn Garry nominated 
    • Jenica Faal nominated 
    • Debbie Matson nominated 
    • Taryn Dickson nominated 


        Have you seen a co-worker make a difference recently? 

        Nominate them for Employee of the Month with our easy online form!

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