Adriana Ware
Intern

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: My hobbies include acrobatics and tumbling at Augustana University.

What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by my coworkers and a positive culture.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Hanging out with my family and friends.

How would your friends describe you? I’m funny, kind and light-hearted!

A little-known fact about me is that I can’t swim.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Brazil.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to do something you love.

One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.

If I didn’t have to work, I would travel.

Ashley Neeley
Assistant Director of Development

Hometown: Milford, CT

Hobbies: I enjoy shopping, browsing, baseball, softball and travel planning.

What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by being a team player and accomplishing the expectations I have for myself.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Scooting around the Scooter’s drive-thru.

A little-known fact about me is that I’m an Elvis fan!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to all of the Disney parks.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is that the only thing you can “control” is yourself.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: My favorite TV show is “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to go to Graceland.

If I didn’t have to work, I would cook new recipes.

Crystal Moore
Crisis Advocate

Hometown: Blaine, MN

Hobbies: I enjoy gardening and breeding Shiba Inus.

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What motivates you at work? Helping people affected by trauma.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Sunshine, heat and NO drama!

How would your friends describe you? I’m carefree and I have a big heart.

A little-known fact about me is that I’m a fighter with many health issues.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to keep fighting to survive.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Wildfire” on Netflix.

One of the items on my bucket list is to travel to all 51 states.

If I didn’t have to work, I would travel and spend time with my grandkids.

Jennifer Torres
Night Crisis Worker

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy listening to audiobooks and playing with my grandchildren.

What motivates you at work? My motivation is to help others.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Sunshine, warm breeze and a good book.

How would your friends describe you? I’m funny, caring and nurturing.

A little-known fact about me is that I love documentaries and history.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland.

If I didn’t have to work, I would listen to audiobooks.

Karen Benitez-Lopez
Youth Care Provider

Leisha Mexican
Youth Care Provider

Hometown: Milbank, SD

Hobbies: My hobbies include photography, reading and volunteering.

What motivates you at work? Being able to make a difference.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A perfect day would be having a clean house and relaxing before dinner with all of my kids.

How would your friends describe you? I’m compassionate, kind, caring and positive.

A little-known fact about me is that one of my great-grandmas had tickets for the Titanic.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go see castles in Ireland.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to let what you love guide you through life.

The last great TV show/movie I saw—or book I read—was I loved the book “The Purpose Driven Life.”

One of the items on my bucket list is becoming a foster mom.

If I didn’t have to work, I would nap.

Michelle Ivy
Night Crisis Worker

Hometown: Houston, TX

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spending time with my grandchildren.

A little-known fact about me is that I’m an amateur paranormal investigator.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland to visit my ancestral castle.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to not put anything in writing that you don’t want people to read.

One of the items on my bucket list is to travel the country in an RV, visiting state and national parks and major paranormal hot spots.

Tia Wilson

Crisis Advocate

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy thrifting, journaling, gaming and reading.

What motivates you at work? Advocating and helping others and meeting people where they are at.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Spain or Japan.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

The last great TV show/movie I saw was the movie “Sinners.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to finish grad school and obtain my LCSW license.

If I didn’t have to work, I would nap with my cats.

Adrain Rodriguez
Residential Youth Counselor

Christine Lueth
Clinical Director of Outpatient Therapy

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, walking, road trips and cooking.

What motivates you at work? Being able to help others.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Camping in the Black Hills.

How would your friends describe you? I’m talkative, silly, honest and creative.

A little-known fact about me is that I was born in Texas and lived in Germany.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Hawaii.

My most unusual talent is that I can quote “Friends.”

The best advice I’ve ever been given is that not everyone has to like you, and that’s ok.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Friends is always the best TV show to watch!

One of the items on my bucket list is to go on an African safari.

If I didn’t have to work, I would travel and work part-time as a therapist.

Dio Gai
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy watching movies, going to the gym and shopping for home decor.

How would your friends describe you? I’m outgoing and caring.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: I loved the movie “Together.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.

If I didn’t have to work, I would focus on school and travel.

Dominique Butts
Residential Youth Counselor

Hobbies: I like couponing and watching my kids in their sports.

What motivates you at work? The mission I am working for.

How would your friends describe you? I’m the life of the party! I’m always kind, but a good time.

A little-known fact about me is that I’m the shortest in my family!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the Fiji Islands.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to doubt what you doubt, believe what you believe, but never doubt what you believe.

One of the items on my bucket list is to open my own non-traditional education program.

If I didn’t have to work, I would spend all my time supporting my kids in their adventures.

Jadyn Steen
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Stockton, IL

Hobbies: I enjoy working out, running, shopping and going out to eat.

A little-known fact about me is that I have a puppy named Coors.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Greece.

One of the items on my bucket list is to buy a boat.

If I didn’t have to work, I would watch TikToks all day.

Jameel Phillips
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Baxley, GA

Hobbies: I like playing guitar and playing PC games.

What motivates you at work? Seeing growth and change in myself, my team and my clients.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A day where negative things don’t change overall happiness.

How would your friends describe you? I’m funny.

A little-known fact about me is that I am an unknown chef.

Kay Andersen
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Colman, SD

What motivates you at work? My desire to help others.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Having no plans and a quiet house.

How would your friends describe you? I’m patient and kind.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Norway.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Heartland” is my favorite TV show.

One of the items on my bucket list is finishing my degree in healthcare leadership.

If I didn’t have to work, I would make the world a better place by spreading love and kindness.

Marissa Schroeder
Teacher (Loving School)

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I like volleyball, traveling and bell choir.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be getting coffee, hanging out with my four cats and taking a road trip.

How would your friends describe you? I’m goofy, funny and hard-working.

My most unusual talent is finding really good flight deals!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Switzerland, Malta, or Australia.

One of the items on my bucket list is to see the seven wonders of the world.

Payton Engebretson
Residential Youth Counselor

Troy Engel
Teacher Assistant (Loving School)

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I like running, soccer and golf.

A little-known fact about me is that I was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame for cross-country.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the Bahamas.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: I like the series “Reacher.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.

If I didn’t have to work, I would travel the world to play different golf courses and watch soccer games all day.

Andrea Miedema
Admin Assistant (Lincoln School)

Brad Winn
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Hot Springs, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons, board games, video games, sports and watching TV.

What motivates you at work? Being able to make a difference in the community.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Playing board games on a rainy day and then playing volleyball at night.

My most unusual talent is that I can make a heartbeat noise.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Hawaii or Japan.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to give things a try because you never know what you might like.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: My favorite show is “The Office.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to own a house with a nerd, man-cave.

If I didn’t have to work, I would play games and help with kids’ camps.

Donna Schunneman
Admin Assistant (CAC)

Hometown: Laguna Beach, CA

Hobbies: My hobbies include hiking, Pilates and spending time with my four kids and 14 grandchildren!

What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by the mission, values and being a part of a great team.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Being at the pool or beach and relaxing under a palm tree.

How would your friends describe you? I’m loyal, kind and considerate.

My most unusual talent is refurbishing and woodworking.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the beach.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is that when you can no longer make changes, it’s time to change.

One of the items on my bucket list is going to the Little League World Series in PA.

If I didn’t have to work, I would be at the beach in Laguna Beach.

Logan Phelps
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Hot Springs, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons, video games and spending time with people.

What motivates you at work? Providing for my family.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Hanging out with a bunch of people.

How would your friends describe you? I’m outgoing and willing to talk with anyone at any time.

A little-known fact about me is that I’ve been involved in wrestling for over half my life.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to WWII sites.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: My favorite book is “Legend of Drizzt.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to go to the Superbowl.

If I didn’t have to work, I would coach and hang out with people.

Melissa Foulk
Forensic Interviewer

Hometown: Sturgis, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy painting, volunteering with kids’ sports, reading and learning new things.

What motivates you at work? Making a difference in someone’s life.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Laughing with my children.

How would your friends describe you? I’m an introverted mom living in her extroverted kids’ world.

A little-known fact about me is that I have nine brothers.

My most unusual talent is being able to name all 50 states in alphabetical order backwards.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Hawaii or Alaska.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is that in the end, it’s always ok. If it’s not ok, then it’s not the end.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: I love the story of Hansel and Gretel.

One of the items on my bucket list is to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.

If I didn’t have to work, I would visit every football field in the U.S.