Yanabah Powers
Youth Care Provider

Hobbies: I love making jewelry, beading, crocheting and origami.

What motivates you at work? My daughter.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Getting a professional massage.

How would your friends describe you? Calm.

A little-known fact about me is I’ve lived in California, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.

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

One of the items on my bucket list is to find my distant relatives in South Korea.

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

Chloe Peterson
Teacher Assistant (Loving School)

Hometown: Humboldt, SD

Hobbies: Spending time with family.

What motivates you at work? Being able to help the kids.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A slow day where I can be at home with my family.

How would your friends describe you? I’m quiet until I know you and I’m funny.

A little-known fact about me is if I’m not at work then I’m with my kiddos–always.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to New York City at Christmas time.

The last great TV show/movie I saw–or book I read: The book “It Ends With Us.”

One of the items on my bucket list is Christmas in New York.

If I didn’t have to work, I would stay at home with my kids.

Michael Gordon
Teacher (Loving School)

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Andrew Hewitt
Assistant Director of Development

Hometown: Granite Falls, MN

Hobbies: Live music, MN sports and spending time with family and friends.

What motivates you at work? Making a difference and helping people.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A perfect day would be sleeping in, my kids getting along and my sports teams winning!

How would your friends describe you? Great listener, caring and funny.

A little-known fact about me is I played college tennis for one year.

My most unusual talent is I remember names and faces...too much!

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

The best advice I’ve ever been given is 90% of worry goes for naught.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Severance.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to visit all Big 10 football stadiums and go to 40 Dave Matthews Band Concerts.

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

Ashley Heyer
Residential Youth Counselor

Merlin Norton
Housekeeper

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I love to read, write, draw and play Dungeons and Dragon and League of Legends.

What motivates you at work? Spending time with new people.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Reading all day and getting my cleaning at home done early.

How would your friends describe you? Overly loyal, obnoxious, constantly energetic and shy and sleepy.

A little-known fact about me is I was ranked in the top 15 Xayah player on League of Legends: Wild Rift.

My most unusual talent is I am very good at teaching myself different languages.

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

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to not overthink things. Help yourself before helping others. Be kind to yourself.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Heaven Official’s Blessing.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to travel to Europe and Asia.

If I didn’t have to work, I would write or I would play League of Legends.

Michele Erickson
Intern

Hobbies: I like webtoons, school and volunteering.

What motivates you at work? Helping kids.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? I would sleep in, drink tea and have brunch outside with my besties. Then I would go treasure hunting at the thrift store and dissociate at Target with my best friends.

How would your friends describe you? Sunny, silly and kind.

A little-known fact about me is I’m bi-dexterous and allergic to latex.

My most unusual talent is being “nap ready” at all times.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to the recent past, Morrocco or Japan.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would treat your best friend.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to have a full “Me” day. I would get a massage, a manicure and a pedicure.

If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep in, study, volunteer and shop.

Omara Ford
Nurse

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy knitting.

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

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Inside Out 2.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to visit every continent at least once.

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

Ryan Bartel
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I like to hike, skateboard, work out and play music.

What motivates you at work? Knowing I am making a difference.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Going on a rainy hike and then watching “Harry Potter.”

How would your friends describe you? Unpredictable, funny, loyal and impulsive.

A little-known fact about me is I can finish a whole cheesecake in one sitting.

My most unusual talent is being able to hold my breath under water.

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Antarctica–to see what’s really going on there.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is if you’re not swimming upstream, pick something else.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: My favorite book is “Man in Search of Soul.”

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

If I didn’t have to work, I would travel around Europe and Japan.

Shannon O’Malley
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Centerville, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy basketball, pickleball, online shopping and spending time with family and friends.

How would your friends describe you? Loyal, empathetic, outgoing and funny.

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

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to be yourself!

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

Shantell Bleeker
Cook

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Hobbies: I enjoy doing anything with my daughter.

What motivates you at work? My daughter is my motivation.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A day that includes nature walks, a picnic and sunshine.

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

One of the items on my bucket list is take my nephew to Ireland.

If I didn’t have to work, I would be in nature 24/7.

Summer Roelke
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Beresford, SD

Hobbies: I love to read, play video games and listen to music.

What motivates you at work? The thought that I am making a difference.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A rainy fall day and I can curl up with a good book.

How would your friends describe you? Chill, funny and adaptable.

A little-known fact about me is my thumbs are double jointed.

My most unusual talent is I am very good at remembering birthdays.

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

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “How I Met Your Mother.”

One of the items on my bucket list is visit the wonders of the world.

If I didn’t have to work, I would spend all my time with my dog.

Maren Schaap
Admin Assistant

Michelle Soberalski
Outpatient Therapist

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Hobbies: I enjoy water sports, snowboarding, running and spending time with friends.

What motivates you at work? My passion to help others and seeing clients change.

What’s your idea of a perfect day? A perfect day would be sleeping in, going for a run and then spending time with loved ones.

How would your friends describe you? Kind, selfless, empathetic and funny.

A little-known fact about me is I love sriracha.

My most unusual talent is being able to fall asleep anywhere.

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

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to dance like no one is watching.

The last great TV show/movie I saw: “Peaky Blinders.”

One of the items on my bucket list is to see the pyramids of Giza.

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

Tony Pierce
Residential Youth Counselor

Hometown: Lawrence, KS

Hobbies: I enjoy football and weightlifting.

What motivates you at work? I push myself to be better every day.

How would your friends describe you? Wild and fun.

A little-known fact about me is I have moved 42 times.

My most unusual talent is that I’m able to do a backflip.

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

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