Amber Zephier
Cook

Hobbies: Drawing and decorating.
What motivates you at work? Making money to support my kids.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Winning some money at the casino.
How would your friends describe you? Loyal.
A little-known fact about me is I have six sisters and three brothers.
My most unusual talent is that I can find almost anything that’s lost.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Egypt.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is that people will forget what you say to them, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: The series Cobra Kai.
One of the items on my bucket list is to go to Egypt to see the pyramids.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel the world.

Alexandra Danley
Shelter Assistant

Abuor Ajith
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: Crocheting and working on my clothing brand.
A little-known fact about me is I am a licensed EMT, and I want to become a surgeon.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Don’t complain about having too much on your plate, when the goal was to eat.
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would own a cottage with my two cats, have some chickens and cows, and chill.

Amelia Ewing
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Rosemount, MN
Hobbies: Cleaning, organizing, hiking and being outside.
What motivates you at work? Seeing kids meet their goals and building confidence.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? A camping trip to the mountains. I would do some fishing, hiking, and then take a nap in a hammock.
How would your friends describe you? Silly, independent, organized, and nurturing.
A little-known fact about me is I was adopted at the age of six from Ukraine.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is if it isn’t going to matter in five years, then don’t worry about it for more than five minutes.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “The Walking Dead” and I love it!
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.

Bre Welch
Masters Level Intern

Hometown: Monticello, MN
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, shopping, and traveling.
What motivates you at work? A positive work environment and the purpose of my job.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? A day I can check all my boxes of tasks!
How would your friends describe you? Empathetic, funny, outgoing, loyal, and compassionate.
A little-known fact about me is I love bulldogs! My husband and I have a two-year-old English bulldog.
My most unusual talent is being overly organized.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Santorini, Greece.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to do your best!
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Twister,” and “It Ends with Us.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go to Bora Bora with my husband.
If I didn’t have to work, I would be a stay-at-home dog mom and volunteer.

Krystal Schoenbauer
Communications Specialist

Hometown: New Prague, MN
Hobbies: Making wooden “welcome” signs, traveling, and learning how to use my Blackstone.
What motivates you at work? Sharing stories about people who are doing amazing things for others.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Sunny, 75°, and everyone is kind to each other.
How would your friends describe you? Effervescent, overly optimistic, and kind.
A little-known fact about me is I have an adorable English springer spaniel puppy named Archie.
My most unusual talent is that I’m a certified drone pilot.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Greece or Italy.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is that sometimes things need to be broken in order to be fixed.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: The TV series “Suits.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to fly in a hot air balloon.
If I didn’t have to work, I would live on the beach, be a stay-at-home dog mom, and try to bring joy to everyone I meet.

Lisa Neff
Senior Staff Accountant

Michelle Neece
Teaching Assistant, Loving School

Hometown: Pipestone, MN
Hobbies: Reading, painting, drawing, and thrifting.
What motivates you at work? Making a tangible difference.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Waking up at noon, relaxing outside (75°), and hanging out with my cat.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Greece.
One of the items on my bucket list is to watch the Olympics in person.

Chuck Beck
Database & Prospect Research Coordinator

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: Reading, walking, and playing tennis.
What motivates you at work? Wanting to do a good job and being satisfied with my effort.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Nice weather and a good mood.
How would your friends describe you? Outgoing and friendly.
A little-known fact about me is I love to make obscure references.
My most unusual talent is I can recite all the Super Bowl winners in a row.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the Greek island of Crete.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to not give people a hard time when you don’t know what they are going through.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “The Fall Guy.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go to Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game.
If I didn’t have to work, I would be a salary capologist for a NBA team.

Hope Darley
Teacher, Loving School

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: Reading, baking, and spending time with family.
What motivates you at work? Making a difference.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to London.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Suits.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to run a marathon.

Kristopher Carter
Teaching Assistant, Loving School

Hometown: Cloquet, MN
Hobbies: Camping, puzzles, coffee, and watching football.
What motivates you at work? Positive energy.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Time in nature with friends.
How would your friends describe you? Positive and laid back.
A little-known fact about me is I went skydiving to face my fear of heights.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Iceland.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to not compare your insides to other people’s outsides.

Mollie Williams
Bachelors Level Intern

Hometown: Spencer, IA
Hobbies: Being outdoors, road trips, and all things art.
How would your friends describe you? Talkative, adventurous, and caring.
A little-known fact about me is that I love language learning! I speak English, Spanish and am learning German.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Iceland to see the Blue Lagoon and the Northern Lights.
One of the items on my bucket list is to visit Germany, Italy, and South Korea.

Ryah Opsahl
Residential Youth Counselor

Hobbies: Yoga, reading, weightlifting, and crocheting.
How would your friends describe you? Empathetic, bubbly, and silly.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Greece.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Scandal.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go bungee jumping.

Sydney Rouse
Cook

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
What motivates you at work? Knowing that I can make a child’s day a little brighter.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spending time with my kids and making sure they have fun.
A little-known fact about me is that I am a foster parent.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Costa Rica.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is that everything you want is on the other side of fear.
The last great book I read: “Power: A Woman’s Guide to Living and Leading Without Apology.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would live on the beach.

Tyra Harrington
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Dell Rapids, SD

Hobbies: Rodeo.
What motivates you at work? The better good of the children.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spending time with my boyfriend and family.
How would your friends describe you? Positive and passionate!
A little-known fact about me is I have an identical twin who also works at CHS.

Jed Jensen
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Hobbies: Drumming, hiking, biking, hanging out with my kids.
What motivates you at work? The desire to make sure kids feel loved.
How would your friends describe you? An adventurous and chill dad.
A little-known fact about me is I am a full-time, stay-at-home dad/ teacher.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scandinavia and Japan.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to be you!
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Only Murders in the Building.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to live in a tiny house as off-grid as possible.
If I didn’t have to work, I would hang out with my kids.

Christi Keffeler
Clinic Nurse Supervisor

Hobbies: CrossFit, camping, hiking, and my grandkids.
What motivates you at work? I like a challenge and thrive on a busy day.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? It’s a balance of productivity, joy, and fulfillment.
How would your friends describe you? Someone who loves family, enjoys life, and I’m true to my faith.
A little-known fact about me is I have six grandkids, and my brother was an Olympian.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland and Ireland.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to always be kind.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: I love the “Godfather.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to complete my doctorate.
If I didn’t have to work, I would volunteer or mentor nursing students.

Melanie Coleman
Outpatient Therapist

Hometown: Auburn, WA
Hobbies: Reading, walking, watching Netflix.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Hiking in the mountains.
A little-known fact about me is I have a pair of holiday socks for every day in December.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Sunriver, OR.
One of the items on my bucket list is to visit every national park. I’ve already been to 23 of the 63 parks.

Ashlyn Kirk
Residential Youth Counselor

Alissa Scott
Residential Youth Counselor