Erin McNeill
Assistant Program Supervisor

Jori Melius
Intern

Hometown: Faulkton, SD
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, baking and watching and playing sports.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Rome.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Bones.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to travel outside of the United States.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel.

Ko Meh
Intern

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: I enjoy reading and baking.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Bali.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is time heals everything.
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep.

Megan Murphy
Cook

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: I enjoy arts and crafts, camping and playing darts.

Michaela Ishmael
Housekeeper

Hometown: Madison, SD
Hobbies: I love photography, RPGs and reading.
What motivates you at work? Being able to provide a clean and safe space for our clients.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would include sleeping in, reading books all day and then watching a beautiful sunset.
How would your friends describe you? I’m a great listener, understanding, reliable and weird.
A little-known fact about me is I listen to a large variety of music.
My most unusual talent is being able to remember random information.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Italy or Europe.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to work smarter, not harder and live life to the fullest.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Deadpool and Wolverine.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to travel as much as possible.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel and read all day.

Zach Geraets
Cook

Hometown: Dell Rapids, SD
Hobbies: I love playing Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons and basketball.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Iceland.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Companion” and “Six of Crows.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to see Nikola Jokic play in a Nuggets game.
If I didn’t have to work, I would homestead.

Abbie Stevens
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Hobbies: I love music, poetry and playing the piano.
What motivates you at work? Altruism—the “feel good” reward for helping others.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be a bright sunny day, enjoying time outside with friends and going to events.
How would your friends describe you? I’m spontaneous, energetic, and extroverted.
A little-known fact about me is my family is Hispanic and my grandma is a Mexico native.
My most unusual talent is being double-jointed.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Wyoming.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is “Life is a boxing match. It’s not about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”—Rocky Balboa.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Dead Poets Society.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to travel, travel, travel!
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel.

Ace Berry
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Hobbies: I love playing basketball, making music and playing instruments.
What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by the process of seeing change and growth.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be spending time with my dogs, fiancé and friends.
How would your friends describe you? I’m easygoing, energetic and funny.
A little-known fact about me is I mentor youth and do motivational speaking for CPS.
My most unusual talent is having the ability to adapt.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Amsterdam, Australia, Belgium and Iceland.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Deadpool and Wolverine.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go hiking and camp in the mountains.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel and do motivational speaking.

Caroline Titze
Intern

Hometown: Mitchell, SD
Hobbies: I love to play soccer, watch movies and read.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Iceland.

Chelsie Anderson
Teacher Assistant, Loving School

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: I love to go camping with friends, be outdoors and craft.
What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by knowing and seeing the difference I can make.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Putting a smile on someone’s face.
How would your friends describe you? I’m fun, outgoing, supportive and hard-working.
A little-known fact about me is that I have a six-year-old daughter, Lauren, and a seven-month-old son, Levi.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Ireland.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is if you can be anything in the world, be kind.
One of the items on my bucket list is to travel the world.

Jennifer Hoksbergen
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Randolph, WI
Hobbies: I love working out, listening to music and hiking.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would include a long hike, a good dinner and watching a movie with family or friends.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland.
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel.

Olivia Christopherson
Intern

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Hobbies: I enjoy singing, baking and crafting.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spending the day with my loved ones.
My most unusual talent is that I can rollerskate.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to France.

Rebecca Meyer
PT Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Presho, SD
Hobbies: I enjoy fanfiction, creative writing and crocheting.
What motivates you at work? I’m motivated by good people.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be surrounding myself with lots of friends and good food.
How would your friends describe you? I’m weird—respectfully—and I’m kind.
A little-known fact about me is that I’m a music history nerd.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Scotland.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “The Bikeriders.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go skydiving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would write books and read all day.

Rodney Boadwine
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Rapid, SD
Hobbies: I love watching movies, hiking, going to the lake, playing video games and working on my car.
What motivates you at work? I want to make a difference.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be filled with peace.
How would your friends describe you? I’m passionate.
A little-known fact about me is that I have an upside-down catfish.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Japan.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to strive for progress, not perfection.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Outer Banks.”
One of the items on my bucket list is to go to Japan.
If I didn’t have to work, I would spend time with family and friends.

Declan Malone
Teacher Assistant, Owen School

Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Hobbies: I love going to the gym, hiking and coaching high school and youth wrestling.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be 75 degrees and sunny! I would spend the whole day outside with my dogs.
How would your friends describe you? I’m outgoing.
A little-known fact about me is that I have a twin brother.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Ireland or Italy.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to learn how to be comfortable in uncomfortable.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel.

Destiny Wolbrink
Teacher, Owen School

Hometown: Stickney, SD
Hobbies: I love arts and crafts, reading and gardening.
What motivates you at work? Having opportunities for creativity.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day would be a long day with a picnic.
How would your friends describe you? I’m a great listener.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the United Kingdom.
If I didn’t have to work, I would drink coffee and read books all day.