Vema Agyeiwaa
Crisis Worker

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
Hobbies: Dancing
What motivates you at work? When my contributions are effective
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Keep doing what is right.
One of the items on my bucket list is to get an iPad.
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel the world.

Nicole LaVallie
Housekeeping Coordinator 

Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Hobbies: Singing, going for cruises
What motivates you at work? Finding efficient ways to complete my work to add new tasks
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Nothing breaks/interruptions
How would your friends describe you? Love to talk
A little-known fact about me is: I went to American Idol once!
My most unusual talent: I’m able to hitch trailers in one shot.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Florida, Arizona or California.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Control the controllables.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: King Kong 2024
One of the items on my bucket list is vacation with kids near an ocean.
If I didn’t have to work, I would grow a farm and teach my kids about eating healthy and living healthy and be able to nurture them to my best ability.

Kara Kang
Shelter Assistant

Hometown: Sioux Falls
What motivates you at work? My daughters
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Watching the Jacks, Lakers and Vikings win.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Growth begins when blame stops.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: Suits
If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep and volunteer.

Kinzie (Kinz) Telgren
Shelter Youth Care Provider

Hometown: Yankton
Hobbies: Reading, video games, arts and crafts (sewing, embroidery, crocheting, etc), and baking.
A little-known fact about me is that I was non-verbal as a child, making ASL my first language!
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: to take pride in everything you do!
If I didn’t have to work, I would spend my time volunteering along with my husband and our cat!

Tina Marage
Cook

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Hobbies: Kayaking, swimming, shooting, archery, throwing knives
What motivates you at work? Teamwork
What’s your idea of a perfect day? A good day
How would your friends describe you? Friendly, helpful and happy
A little-known fact about me: I have 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Jamaica
One of the items on my bucket list is ziplining
If I didn’t have to work, I would garden..

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Andrew Calhoun
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Chancellor
Hobbies: Gardening
What motivates you at work? Making a difference
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spending time with my son and husband
A little-known fact about me is I’ve been to 45 states.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Puerto Rico.

Beldaran Eide
Intern

Hometown: Brandon
Hobbies: Gardening
How would your friends describe you? Bubbly, talkative and sweet
A little-known fact about me is I self-teach myself ASL.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Venice, Italy, and Athens, Greece.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Everything happens for a reason.
If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep, eat, read and watch documentaries.

Vickie Duran
Housekeeping

Hometown: Sioux Falls
Hobbies: Puzzles and crosswords
What motivates you at work? Messes
How would your friends describe you? Friendly and helpful
A little-known fact about me is I have great-grandchildren
My most unusual talent: Nails–sculpting.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Hawaii
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Let them.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: The Resident.
One of the items on my bucket list is camping and travel
If I didn’t have to work, I would relax..

Kimberly Garcia
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Sioux Falls
Hobbies: Going out, reading and TV
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Sunny day
How would your friends describe you? Kind
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Europe
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: to never give up.
The last great TV show/movie I saw: Sheldon
One of the items on my bucket list is sky diving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would stay home.

Kristen Haiby
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Pelican Rapids, MN
Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, painting, reading
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Greece.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: If it’s not adding to your life, it’s holding you back.

Ronnelle Hill
Residential Youth Counselor

Malia Holbeck
Clinical Director

Hometown: Flandreau
Hobbies: Spending time with family, gardening, enjoying the outdoors, biking

Rylee Lehmkuhl
Art Teacher

Hometown: Pender, NE
Hobbies: Playing with my cats, drawing, playing my Nintendo Switch
What motivates you at work? Making a positive impact.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Warm, sunny day on the beach with my cats
How would your friends describe you? Bubbly, silly
A little-known fact about me is: I have 3 cats: Cheeto, Apollo and Milo
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Italy.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Allow yourself some grace.
One of the items on my bucket list is to bungee jump.
If I didn’t have to work, I would be a stay-at-home cat mom.

Layne Meyers
System Administrator

Hometown: Viborg
Hobbies: Camping, listening to music and creating playlists, following Australian Esports.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Hiking/camping in nature without technology
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Australia
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: to take responsibility and advocate for yourself.
One of the items on my bucket list is to run a marathon.

Em Powers
Residential Youth Counselor

Bailey Roman
Intern – Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Sioux Falls
Hobbies: Gardening
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Sitting in the sun reading a book
How would your friends describe you? Supportive, big-hearted and outgoing
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Italy.
One of the items on my bucket list is to swim with sharks.
If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep.

Maria Sommer
Intern

Hometown: Sioux Falls
Hobbies: Hiking, being outdoors
What motivates you at work? Being around positive/welcoming co-workers
One of the items on my bucket list is to go to the Olympics.
If I didn’t have to work, I would read and watch TV

Taylor (Tay or Tay-Tay) Trudeau
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Elk Point
Hobbies: Reading, family time, animals
What motivates you at work? The children and co-workers
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Getting to read, spend time with family
How would your friends describe you? Giving
A little-known fact about me: I am nice and loving.
My most unusual talent: Reading fast
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Iceland.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Treat others how you wanna be treated.
The last great book I read: The Deal.
One of the items on my bucket list is sky diving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would stay home with my children.

Amber Bissey
Teacher, 2nd/3rd Grade

Hometown: Newell, SD
Hobbies: Puzzles, hiking, riding the motorcycle
What motivates you at work? To create a fun and safe learning environment!
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Camping in the Black Hills with no cell service.
How would your friends describe you? Hardworking, loves to laugh and has a huge heart.
A little-known fact about me: I’ve had two ankle surgeries.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Banff National Park.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: You can do anything you put your mind to!
The last great TV show/movie I saw: Umbrella Academy
One of the items on my bucket list is sky diving.
If I didn’t have to work, I would be hiking in the Black Hills with my German Shepherd.

Hayla DeMaranville
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Rapid CIty
Hobbies: Piano, writing, art, yoga
A little-known fact about me is I attend BHSU for psychology and human services.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Be nice to everyone; you never know what they’re going through.
If I didn’t have to work, I would go to the lake and camping.

Gracie Finck
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Rapid City
Hobbies: Any outdoor activity, journaling, yoga/working out
What motivates you at work? The children and the impact we make on them.
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Spent at the lake with friends, family and my dog, Sage.
A little-known fact about me is: I did gymnastics for 16 years and 9 of them were competitive years.
My most unusual talent: I can do the splits.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Europe.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: You get what you put out to the world.
The last great book I read: The Courage To Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
One of the items on my bucket list is to travel out of the country,
If I didn’t have to work, I would be outside at the lake with Sage (my dog) and paddle boarding.