Mikena VanLiere - EmBe

Celebrate, Give, and Grow Together on Giving Tuesday

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T16:43:22-06:00

INFORMATION For more information or questions regarding the events on Giving Tuesday, please contact Rachel Gross at rgross@embe.org or 605-681-8341. Donate Now Help us reach our $40,000 goal On Giving Tuesday, EmBe is celebrating YOU, the amazing community that fuels our mission. We’re grateful for every participant, donor, and volunteer who brings our vision to life. On December 3, join us for a day filled with gratitude, giving, and connection. Your support on Giving Tuesday will go even further this year, with Thrivent Financial matching 50% of all donations received, up to $20,000. [...]

Celebrate, Give, and Grow Together on Giving TuesdayMikena VanLiere2024-12-02T16:43:22-06:00

Elevate Your Impact on Giving Tuesday!

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T20:12:36-06:00

Elevate Your Impact this Giving Tuesday with EmBe and Thrivent! Donate EmBe on December 3 HERE This Giving Tuesday, EmBe is excited to announce a powerful partnership with Thrivent to make your generosity go even further. On December 3, every donation will be enhanced, with Thrivent donating $1 to every $2 raised, helping us reach our goal of raising $40,000 in just one day. We’re calling on the community to come together and make this vision a reality! Why Your Support Matters Thanks to individual donors and partners like Thrivent, EmBe continues to create pathways for success and opportunity for [...]

Elevate Your Impact on Giving Tuesday!Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T20:12:36-06:00

Culture Link + Swimming Lessons

Mikena VanLiere2024-10-21T12:39:32-05:00

Sponsored piece written by Jodi Schwan The scene that unfolded on a series of Sunday afternoons late this summer inside EmBe was nothing short of life-changing. From infants to their parents, and children of all ages, many stepped into a swimming pool for the first time in their lives. “A lot of Americans give children swimming lessons almost from the moment they’re born – but unfortunately in the African community, we might have five or six children in one household, so who are you going to give lessons to on a limited income,” said Gisma Ali, who recently became [...]

Culture Link + Swimming LessonsMikena VanLiere2024-10-21T12:39:32-05:00

The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Award Winners!

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:49:30-06:00

Sioux Falls, SD (October 11, 2024) – Nine honorees were selected out of 64 nominations for The EMBES - A Tribute to Women Awards at the Washington Pavilion on October 10. The longest-standing award ceremony honoring women in our region, now in its 51st year, celebrated the impact of women, men, and businesses in the Sioux Empire and raised funds to sustain the mission of the century-old organization. “We are grateful to our nominators for recognizing the outstanding women, men, and businesses, that are making an impact within our community, and our sponsors for helping us make The EMBES extra [...]

The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Award Winners!Mikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:49:30-06:00

2023 Annual Report

Mikena VanLiere2024-10-08T14:31:14-05:00

2023 was a year of growth and empowerment. Read about our 2023 in review here.

2023 Annual ReportMikena VanLiere2024-10-08T14:31:14-05:00

Introduction to EmBe Education

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T12:55:11-06:00

Children begin learning from birth. While top-quality care is critical from birth through school age, that care can and should be integrated with comprehensive education, brought together in a model supported by parents, educators and the community. It sounds simple, but delivering that approach consistently can be incredibly complex and not always easy for families to receive. Our newly launched, EmBe Education is set to change the way the Sioux Falls region thinks about child care. This enhanced investment in education programs from birth through school age focuses on development through intentional curriculum, environments and character growth. “At EmBe, we [...]

Introduction to EmBe EducationMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T12:55:11-06:00

51st Annual Nominees for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards Announced!

Mikena VanLiere2024-09-13T08:51:09-05:00

Sixty-four women, men, and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES - A Tribute to Women (formerly Tribute to Women) awards. Now in its 51st year, The EMBES has shined a light on those doing right by EmBe’s mission since 1973. “Thank you to our nominators for continuing to recognize the outstanding women, men, and businesses making a lasting impact in our community. This year, we are especially excited to introduce our new event branding, The EMBES – A Tribute to Women. With the addition of new categories, including Performing & Visual Arts, and Outstanding Educator, we are broadening our [...]

51st Annual Nominees for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards Announced!Mikena VanLiere2024-09-13T08:51:09-05:00

Family Spotlight: Erin Healy + Brandon De Jong’s Story

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-08T14:55:16-06:00

Providing quality and accessible childcare to our community is at the heart of who we are at EmBe. Our mission thrives because of the connection we share with families who bring joy and purpose to everything we do. In today’s childcare climate, quality and reliable childcare is pivotal for working families. We’re honored to support parents like Erin Healy and Brandon De Jong as they navigate their professional and personal lives. Erin, a state legislator and healthcare professional, and Brandon, a successful entrepreneur, have been making strides in their respective fields. Their journey with EmBe began through various community programs, [...]

Family Spotlight: Erin Healy + Brandon De Jong’s StoryMikena VanLiere2025-01-08T14:55:16-06:00

Finding Quality Childcare Amidst Uncertainty: The Van Der Sloot’s Story

Mikena VanLiere2024-06-21T21:35:32-05:00

For the Van Der Sloot family, being confronted with childcare displacement is something they know too well. After news that their previous center was closing, mom Eden recalled it being “scary, frustrating, and hard to drop her boys off every morning and see their friends not be there.” “While we knew the closing was happening, it was scary thinking about what to do and who would now take care of our boys. I called many centers that either had waitlists or could accommodate one child but not the other. Price was another thing that we struggled with. As we [...]

Finding Quality Childcare Amidst Uncertainty: The Van Der Sloot’s StoryMikena VanLiere2024-06-21T21:35:32-05:00

Nurturing Young Minds: EmBe’s Approach to Early Childhood Education

Mikena VanLiere2024-07-03T12:27:59-05:00

At EmBe, we believe in every child's extraordinary potential and see it as our responsibility to guide and support their development. While recognizing parents and guardians as the primary educators, we are honored to complement their efforts by fostering an environment where children can thrive. Our curriculum, a blend of play, inquiry, and spiralized learning, empowers children to drive their own educational journey. In today’s blog, we explore the benefits of these educational strategies within our organization. What is a Spiral Curriculum, and How Does it Benefit Student Learning Over Time? A spiral curriculum is an innovative teaching method where [...]

Nurturing Young Minds: EmBe’s Approach to Early Childhood EducationMikena VanLiere2024-07-03T12:27:59-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere