Mikena VanLiere - EmBe

Help as Needed: Dress for Success Sioux Falls Mentorship

Mikena VanLiere2021-03-05T16:32:27-06:00

Janet sat across the table from me, a warm cup of coffee in each of our hands as I welcomed her to share a little more about herself. This was the beginning of a six-week mentorship in which I, a thirty-something, came to learn more about a fifty-something who found herself unemployed following decades of hard work. Janet, a mother, widow and college graduate with a host of experience, was already working with an employment specialist at the Department of Labor. Her resume was impeccable. Her letters of reference provided insight into her exceptional work ethic. We met weekly, in-person [...]

Help as Needed: Dress for Success Sioux Falls MentorshipMikena VanLiere2021-03-05T16:32:27-06:00

EmBe proudly announces renovations to downtown location

Mikena VanLiere2021-01-26T08:40:14-06:00

(Sioux Falls, SD, January 25, 2021) - EmBe’s renovation will bring facilities into alignment with community needs identified in our recently adopted 2021-2024 strategic plan. “EmBe is building on our 100-year legacy of serving women and families in the community. The time is right for EmBe to invest our resources in this project. The form has followed the function, and we have the opportunity to align our historic 1951 facility with 21st century priories and needs,” said Anne Rieck McFarland, EmBe Interim CEO. “EmBe has transformed many thousands of lives right here in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls. This [...]

EmBe proudly announces renovations to downtown locationMikena VanLiere2021-01-26T08:40:14-06:00

Kerra Wallace: Lead Teacher in 2C

Mikena VanLiere2021-01-20T10:58:38-06:00

Kerra Wallace is the Lead Teacher in 2C at EmBe South and has done amazing things to continue to evolve our curriculum and ensure our classrooms are a fun and safe environment for the children. Her job entails seeing over the children and daily activities of her classroom. Creating lesson plans, craft prepping, recording information about each child in KidReports and so much more! "I love seeing the kids explore through daily play and watching the lightbulbs turn on when they figure something out," Kerra said. EmBe has helped Kerra in my professional development by giving her the opportunity to [...]

Kerra Wallace: Lead Teacher in 2CMikena VanLiere2021-01-20T10:58:38-06:00

EmBe awarded Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant for collaborative project

Mikena VanLiere2020-12-22T09:33:29-06:00

EmBe has been awarded a Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant. The $200,000 award provides funding for a two-year collaborative project to develop a framework for a shared child and school age care substitute staffing pool. This pool of trained staff will meet day-to-day needs across multiple organizations. The project grew out of the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative, convened and facilitated by Sioux Falls Thrive. The group has been meeting for several years with a focus on advancing sustainable child and school age care. COVID has propelled the group into the spotlight as the essential work of childcare providers has affected [...]

EmBe awarded Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant for collaborative projectMikena VanLiere2020-12-22T09:33:29-06:00

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew Alton

Mikena VanLiere2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

The world is watching as NASA’s Perseverance Rover makes its way to Jerezro Crater on planet Mars to hunt for prehistoric fossils in the next six months. For local professor and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) volunteer Dr. Drew Alton, the mission fuels his passion to bring science, technology, engineering and math to kids across South Dakota as a volunteer and as a program collaborator. “I want them to say, ‘I could be part of that mission,’” Dr. Alton said. “It’s exactly what FLL is all about.” Dr. Alton, a professor of physics at Augustana University, has been volunteering for the [...]

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew AltonMikena VanLiere2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your Community

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:08:18-06:00

In 2018, women in South Dakota earned an average 82.7% of the typical weekly earnings made by their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women represent half of the US population but more than half the opportunity for growth, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Empowering women lifts the entire community. When women work, economies grow. Studies by USAID show that if an equal number of women as men participated in the global economy, the global GDP would increase by $12 trillion by 2025. Empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes. Even small actions can [...]

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your CommunityMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:08:18-06:00

The Challenge of Finding Childcare

Mikena VanLiere2020-08-10T12:56:57-05:00

Finding childcare can pose a challenge to any parent. Finding childcare that prioritizes children’s learning, health and safety is often much more difficult. Megan Koppen, a working mom, knew she wanted a center with these qualities and more. Koppen began her search for childcare with Google. “We literally did a Google search, and EmBe was the first one that popped up,” Koppen said. Koppen scheduled a tour and was impressed with what she found. “We really loved the security of it,” she said. “I’m kind of a neat freak, so cleanliness was a big thing. You could tell it was [...]

The Challenge of Finding ChildcareMikena VanLiere2020-08-10T12:56:57-05:00

‘I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success’: Colleen Keiser’s Story

Mikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:39:42-05:00

Colleen (left) practicing mock interviews. “I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success” Feeling beaten down emotionally and mentally, Colleen Keiser was looking to boost her self-confidence and to sharpen her professional skills for an upcoming job interview. “I wanted to gain my self-confidence back and understand what I wanted to do with the rest of my working life,” Keiser said. In 2019, Keiser joined Women to the Workforce, an EmBe program designed to help prepare participants to obtain employment or advancement in their current jobs. “I felt like each session was specifically [...]

‘I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success’: Colleen Keiser’s StoryMikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:39:42-05:00

‘The love and support is neverending’: A Dress for Success Sioux Falls Story

Mikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:38:58-05:00

When Amber Metzger came to Dress for Success Sioux Falls, her self-esteem was at an all-time low. “I was used to having everything put together and being good at moving towards success, but life got the better of me and destroyed my spirit,” Metzger said. Dress for Success Sioux Falls staff scheduled an employment suiting for Metzger and prepared her for a job interview. Metzger successfully landed the job. After securing employment, Metzger joined the Tapestry, a networking program for employed women to build skills and gain support throughout a year of employment. Metzger developed close relationships with the women [...]

‘The love and support is neverending’: A Dress for Success Sioux Falls StoryMikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:38:58-05:00

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s Story

Mikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

Carol Spaders's connection to EmBe began in childhood, when she was attending swimming lessons every Saturday at the YWCA (now EmBe). "Finances were tight,” Carol said, recalling her father’s diagnosis with a neurological disorder and ultimately, his death in her teenage years. “I think my mother looked for free or inexpensive experiences in the community. Hoping that she might instill a vision in her girls to go further than she could." Carol continued. Early in Carol’s career in community development, she was invited to serve on the YWCA Board. During her time on the board, Carol learned the importance of [...]

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s StoryMikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere