Staff Spotlight: Rachel Gross – Executive Assistant
Welcoming Rachel Gross: A Vibrant Addition to the EmBe Family We are thrilled to introduce Rachel Gross, our new Executive Assistant to the EmBe leadership team, to the EmBe family! Rachel brings with her a wealth of experience and [...]
Preschool Enrollment Opens for Fall 2024
A Gateway to Early Education Excellence with EmBe Education EmBe, a leader in providing early childhood education, proudly announces the opening of enrollment for its preschool programs for the fall of 2024. EmBe Education's commitment to nurturing the [...]
Donor Spotlight: Meet Jeannie Blackman
Jeannie Blackman's roots with EmBe trace back to the very inception of the now-iconic Tribute to Women event, formerly known as the Leaders Luncheon, a testament to her mother Kris Egger's influential role in its planning 50 years [...]
Women Spotlight: Meet Colleen Keiser
Colleen Keiser's experience with EmBe's Women's Leadership Programs is one of support, enrichment, learning, and growth. Participating in a variety of EmBe women’s programming, Colleen's journey reflects EmBe’s mission to support women, children, and families and the tangible [...]
Aquatics Spotlight: Meet Andra and Mitch Kellhoff
Meet Andra and Micah, mother and son, who have been loyal swim members at the EmBe pool for years. They swim regularly twice a week in the afternoon. The pool has become more than just a place to exercise; [...]
Donor Spotlight: Meet Karen Schreier
The EmBe pool has been a staple in Sioux Falls since 1965. For years, it has created a safe space for community members to build confidence and establish lifelong skills for all ages. Karen Schreier utilizes the EmBe pool to swim laps for exercise every [...]
Summer Fun, Learning, and Experiences Start at EmBe
Enrollment for 2024 Summer School Age Care Begins December 18 EmBe, a community-based non-profit providing services, and programming for children, women, and families, announced today open enrollment for 2024 Summer School Age Care at their Harrisburg and EmBe South [...]
Childcare Crisis Statement from EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen: December 2023
The recent announcements regarding the closure of licensed centers in Sioux Falls and its surrounding areas have far-reaching implications for families, children, and the local workforce. This underscores the pressing need for quality childcare services, as over 54,000 families [...]
EmBe and LAIC Partner to Enhance Childcare Services in Madison
Quality childcare is an integral part of economic development. It is fundamental for an adequate workforce. Lake Area Improvement Corporation (LAIC) has been working diligently to address the issue of childcare in Madison and Lake County. The latest [...]
50th Annual Tribute to Women Recap
Donate Now EmBe Announces the 50th Annual Tribute to Women Award Winners Sioux Falls, SD (October 19,2023) – Nine honorees were selected out of 71 [...]
Donor Spotlight: Meet Janet Naessig
For Janet Naessig, her time with EmBe spans back to when we were still known as the YWCA. She started her time as YWCA Teen Age Program Director in 1957 and then went on to complete her term [...]
Youth Spotlight: Cambree Cook
EmBe works diligently to help our community’s youth thrive. For Cambree Cook, attending Camp Girl VIP this summer helped her have fun by getting involved, meet new people, and got her out of her comfort zone. Through her [...]
Mentoring Mindset Workshop
If you are interested in mentoring others, EmBe has a Women's Leadership cohort ready to be matched to a mentor on May 8! We are hosting a Mentoring Mindset Workshop on April 24 to uplift our new and existing [...]
EmBe CEO Column: April 2023
Transitioning into Spring Despite the piles of snow remaining, it’s official – Spring is here! After a long (and cold) winter, I'm sure everyone is just as eager to transition into a new season as I am. Spring has [...]
Staff Spotlight: Melissa Hiatt
“I want to help women tap into the life-giving, life-changing, life-empowering power for them, their families, their organizations, and their communities.” At EmBe, our mission is to empower women and help them discover their strengths, activate their vision, and [...]
FIRST® LEGO® League 2022-23 Championship Recap
All season, youth involved in FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) have worked together to create, code, and compete to advance to the final FLL Championship, which took place earlier this month at Augustana University’s campus in Sioux Falls, SD. Teams traveled across [...]
EmBe CEO Column: November 2022
Get out and Vote In case you weren’t aware…. In case you haven’t noticed, there is an election happening. If you’re like me, you may be fatigued by the political advertisements, solicitations, and some of the ‘dirty politics’ that [...]
Staff Spotlight: Sarah Meagher – Director of Curriculum and Licensing
“With an extremely talented and dedicated staff, the biggest challenge will be to learn what best practices already exist and where our programs can be elevated to the highest standard of childcare and early education in the community.” Sarah [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: 100 Years of EmBe
For the final Sunday Story, we’re bringing you 100 fun facts about EmBe from our last 100 years! The 1920s YWCA founder, Mabel Crossman, owned the state’s largest chicken hatchery with her husband, even though she was terrified of [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: The Name Change
On April 16, 2013, the Sioux Falls branch of the YWCA cut ties with the national organization and announced the new agency as EmBe. There were many reasons for the change, but ultimately, the organization wanted to be more [...]
EmBe CEO Column: September 2022
Celebrating the Undying Agents of Change Despite my fortunate upbringing in a mild-mannered, midwestern town, I frequently lack patience in the face of injustice. While polite discourse and temperance are values I’ve shared with countless friends, neighbors, and colleagues, [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: The Forgotten Heroes of 9/11
9/11 was a tragedy of the modern age that exposed the strength and resilience of the nation as a whole. Everyone came together to show their support, lend their hands, and offer their services. However, there is often a party [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Working Women
As we honor Labor Day at EmBe, we’re reflecting on the women laborers. The YWCA has always been in support of working women. Since its beginning, the organization has been there to support industrial women, advocate for women’s rights, and [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Solo Parent’s Club
The solo parents club was founded in 1963 to help single parents find activities, resources, and friends for their children and themselves. The purpose, as listed in the original club constitution, was “to establish a means of enabling parents who are [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Amanda Clement
Beginning Years: Amanda Clement was born in 1888 in Hudson, South Dakota. Amanda was familiar with strong women her entire life. Her dad died when she was seven, so Amanda watched as her mother stepped up to the plate and [...]
Staff Spotlight: Derrick Spader – School Age Care Manager
“My vision for EmBe is for us to be at the front, leading the way and setting the standard of quality childcare and community empowerment.” After 100 years of serving Sioux Falls, EmBe has built a strong workplace culture [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Strawberry Festival
Throughout its history, the YWCA of Sioux Falls has hosted countless fun events for the community that work to raise money for the organization's scholarship fund. One of these events was the Strawberry Festival of 1962. This event occurred [...]
EmBe CEO Column: August 2022
Advancing Everyone’s Business Gratitude can be a difficult feeling for us to access under challenging circumstances and none seem to be as challenging as the childcare crisis impacting parents and providers today. As I take this time to reflect [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Louisa Mitchell
As EmBe celebrates its 100th anniversary, we are digging through our history to discover some of the trail-blazing women who defined our values and shaped our history. While looking through the archives, one name popped up repeatedly, continuously doing [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: The YWCA’s Womanless Wedding
Just six years after its opening, the YWCA put on a production guaranteed to grab the attention of the Sioux Falls Community – The Womanless Wedding. The two-hour-long play took place at the Coliseum on April 21-22, 1927, with [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Women Archers of the YWCA
Archery has been around since the first civilizations back in the Paleolithic period. While it was intended for fighting and hunting, the bow and arrow eventually morphed into a tool for leisure and hobby. Beginning in 1800, archery was [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Supporting Women from Around the World since 1920
YWCA’s All Nations Club In 1921 the Emergency Quota Law was passed by the US Congress. This law established the United States’ first numerical limit on the number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States. A year after [...]
EmBe CEO Column: July 2022
Dare to Raise, Rise2Raise “They’re just like us.” That’s the recurring thought of this past month at EmBe. It was the first thought that came to my mind as I sat in a circle of past and present board [...]
100-Year Sunday Story: Typical Girl Does Boy’s Job
As part of our 100th anniversary, EmBe is highlighting powerful women from our past! These women remind us to be courageous and strong in our lives, and to follow our passions, even when others are against us. This week’s [...]
EmBe Announces Plans for its 100 Year Celebration
Stephanie Land, the author of the New York Times Bestseller turned Netflix series Maid, will provide a keynote on September 28 to honor the organization’s 100-year-old mission of empowering women, children, and families of the Sioux Empire. Sioux Falls, [...]
Spotlight: EmBe Summer Interns
Spotlighting EmBe’s Summer Interns Summer brings a new crop of interns to our organization, and we wasted no time getting to know them. With so many questions and much less time, we narrowed this Q&A to five questions and [...]
The CEO Column: June 2022
Finding Hope Here We remember how much a human can bear in the wake of unthinkable tragedy. Every parent who celebrated the start of summer held the joy of their child’s achievement in tandem with the shared grief of [...]
EmBe Celebrates Renovated Boutique and Professional Development Center
EmBe Celebrates Renovated Boutique and Professional Development Center The renovation and relocation project is now complete, giving new life and purpose to 27,000 square feet in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls, SD (May 19, 2022) –EmBe will celebrate [...]
Staff Spotlight: Kelly Ballew – Chief of Staff
Staff Spotlight: Kelly Ballew - Chief of Staff Just as EmBe can be many things to many people throughout a lifetime, our stakeholders interact with our century-old mission through a variety of programs and roles throughout their EmBe journey. [...]
The CEO Column: May 2022
Securing the Next Century of EmBe’s Impact Over the last 100 years, EmBe has been on a mission to empower women, children, and families to enrich lives. In 1922, our founders were the first to recognize the power of [...]
EmBe Announces the 49th Annual Tribute to Women Award Winners
Micki Lundin (Avera Health) and Mark Blackburn (Augustana University and Establishing Sustainable Connections) were the 49th Annual Tribute to Women emcees. EmBe Announces the 49th Annual Tribute to Women Award Winners Sioux Falls, SD (April 26, 2022) [...]
Staff Spotlight: Jamie Farley – SAC Coordinator Harrisburg Liberty
Staff Spotlight: Jamie Farley, SAC Coordinator - Harrisburg Elementary Jamie Farley was looking for a fulfilling job that fit his skills and experience when he discovered a posting for the School Age Care Site (SAC) Coordinator position. “I quickly discovered [...]
EmBe Announces 49th Annual Tribute to Women Awards
EmBe Announces the 49th Annual Tribute to Women Awards Sioux Falls, SD (February 10, 2022) –The longest-standing award ceremony honoring women in our region is back, and this time, it’s happening in person. Now in its 49th year, Tribute [...]
Staff Spotlight: Kayla Skufca, Lead Infant Teacher – Mitchell
Staff Spotlight: Kayla Skufca, Lead Infant Teacher of Mitchell As EmBe parents, program participants, and staff, you already know that we do things differently at EmBe. Thanks to our nonprofit model, we serve the mission of empowerment in order [...]
Walking in Our Power
The CEO Column: Walking in Our Power The Revolution Continues with You by Kerri Tietgen In Korean, “black lives matter” translates to “흑인의 생명은 소중하다,” or in other words, black lives are precious. It’s a simple but significant difference [...]
EmBe Invites Girls and Coaches to ‘Run with Us’
Sioux Falls, SD (January 14, 2022) – At the start of its second century, EmBe continues its mission to empower women and families to enrich lives. As its signature program, Girls on the Run, gears up for another season, [...]
The CEO Column: December 2021
The CEO Column: Structured to Grow Building Resilience into the Four Pillars of EmBe by Kerri Tietgen As a pioneering organization founded on the heels of the women’s suffrage movement, EmBe has sustained itself through the most disruptive events [...]
Staff Spotlight: Michele Leiferman, Lead Teacher of Nursery One
Staff Spotlight: Michele Leiferman, Lead Teacher of Nursery One Michele Leiferman has been in the business of childcare for about 30 years. With more than five of those years spent caring for the kids of EmBe, she has worked [...]
The CEO Column: November 2021
The CEO Column: November 2021 EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen reflects on the organization’s 100-year history of programming and leadership in the region. This year’s end marks a century of anticipating and meeting the needs of women and families in [...]
FIRST LEGO League supports compassion and life-long learning skills
Christoph and his wife Angie first joined the FIRST LEGO League community when their two sons were in kindergarten and second grade at Eugene Field Elementary. They started a team with students who already knew one another. After discovering a learning [...]
Staff Highlight: Rebekah Warmbrand, Lead Teacher 5B
At EmBe, we are proud to serve the community by providing quality educational opportunities to inspire children to be confident, independent thinkers. Without our amazing team of teachers, this wouldn’t be possible. Our teachers help provide a safe and [...]
The CEO Column: August 2021
The CEO Column: August 2021 CEO Kerri Tietgen reflects on how this year has prepared all of us for life's curveballs and the resiliency of our community. Have you ever considered the illustrious ‘the perfect plan?’ What plans did [...]
EmBe Announces 2021 Women’s Leadership Program Cohort
In preparation for its tenth cohort, EmBe has accepted 28 participants for the Women’s Leadership Program. Beginning in September, these women embark on a 17-month program with the intent to develop and deliver on a personal development program. Informational [...]
EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership Class
(Sioux Falls, SD - May 5, 2021) – EmBe is currently accepting participant applications for the 2021 EmBe Women's Leadership Program. Designed by leaders in the community, the leadership program helps empower women to reach their greatest potential. Since [...]
The CEO Column: April 2021
(Sioux Falls, SD, April 23, 2021) - Empowering you to be…. Not surprisingly, these words keep running through my mind like a cadence, a mantra and a challenge since joining EmBe. That, in conjunction with a recent Slack post [...]
Alex Helvin: South Childcare Site Manager
We are so excited to highlight and welcome Alex Helvin, our new South Childcare Site Manager, to the EmBe team. As the Childcare Site Manager, Alex provides daily management to the childcare site, leadership, supervision and development of childcare [...]
EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women Winners
(Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Sioux Falls) Eight honorees were selected from nearly fifty nominations on April 15 for EmBe’s 48th Tribute to Women awards. The event was held virtually on EmBe’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Tribute to Women [...]
EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women Nominees
(Sioux Falls, March 29, 2021) – Forty-nine women and men have been nominated for EmBe’s 48th Tribute to Women awards. Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award honoring the achievements of women in the region. “Tribute to Women celebrates [...]
Shelby Norgaard: Curriculum & Staff Development Coordinator
Shelby Norgaard is the Curriculum and Staff Development Coordinator in our Childcare & School Age Care department. Shelby is the backbone of the department by helping train staff, support the Site Managers and Teachers in any way she can [...]
Volunteer Highlight: Sam Ryckman
FIRST LEGO League Alum and Volunteer: Sam Ryckman My interest in engineering and science started the same way it likely did for many: playing with Lego. From age eleven to eighteen, I participated in FIRST Lego League (FLL) and [...]
EmBe Selects New Chief Executive Officer
(Sioux Falls, March 8, 2021) — Today, the EmBe Board of Directors is proud to announce that Kerri Tietgen has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Tietgen will begin her new role on March 22. Tietgen, of [...]
Megan Willroth: School Age Care Site Coordinator at Freedom
Megan Willroth is an After School Care Site Coordinator at Freedom Elementary in Harrisburg. Each day she makes sure that programs are running smoothly and EmBe's values are reflected through the things we do and teach on our offsite [...]
Help as Needed: Dress for Success Sioux Falls Mentorship
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, [...]
EmBe proudly announces renovations to downtown location
(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 [...]
Kerra Wallace: Lead Teacher in 2C
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 [...]
EmBe awarded Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant for collaborative project
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 [...]
Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew Alton
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, [...]
Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your Community
Women in our communities face gender inequalities. 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 Challenge of Finding Childcare
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 [...]
‘I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success’: Colleen Keiser’s Story
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 [...]
‘The love and support is neverending’: A Dress for Success Sioux Falls Story
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 [...]
From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s Story
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 [...]
Paying Empowerment Forward
Kaaren Randel is passionate about paying empowerment forward. Decades ago, after a divorce and facing homelessness, Kaaren found encouragement with an organization who provided her with the tools she needed to find success. “They helped me put together a [...]
Star Power: Girls on the Run® Helped One Runner Regain her Shine
“I hate myself.” Cassidy Wassenaar, a Girls on the Run coach, found this message on one girl’s lap goal card after a long practice. Concerned, Wassenaar asked her about the message. The little girl explained that it had been [...]
Shelby’s Childcare Experience
Shelby Hartung noticed a difference in EmBe’s childcare from the moment she met the downtown location staff. “Everybody felt like friends. That was the biggest experience we had on our tour.” Hartung discovered EmBe shortly after moving from Bismarck, [...]
Fast Five: Work From Home Burnout
Fast Five: Work From Home Burnout Working from home sounds great in theory. No morning commute? Comfortable clothes? Sign me up. Like many theories, working from home is often not nearly as fun in practice. Endless Zoom meetings and [...]
Setting Women Up for Success: Jeannie Blackman
Setting Women Up for Success: Jeannie Blackman Jeannie Blackman had been attending EmBe’s In Her Shoes Breakfast for several years. Fueled by the powerful conversations around her, Blackman felt compelled to get involved. “I was inspired after going to [...]
Donating to Make a Difference: Christina Oey
When the coronavirus uprooted the life of a Dress for Success client, Christina Oey stepped in to help through a generous donation. “It takes one person to make a difference,” Oey said. “I know this firsthand, as I have [...]
EmBe Announces Tribute to Women Winners
Sioux Falls, SD (May 20, 2020) - Nine honorees were selected from fifty nominations on May 19 for EmBe’s 47th Tribute to Women awards. The event was held virtually on EmBe’s Facebook page. Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award [...]
Tribute to Women Sponsor Spotlight: Sanford
Post Sponsored by Sanford. Stacy Wrightsman, Executive Director of Community Relations for Sanford Health “Good work, inspiring leadership, and positive momentum in our community doesn’t stop during a pandemic,” said Stacy Wrightsman, Executive Director of Community Relations [...]
Tribute to Women Sponsor Spotlight: Sammons Financial Group
Post Sponsored by Sammons Financial Group. The connection between EmBe and Sammons Financial Group goes far beyond an institutional relationship where the institutions that share core values. There’s a personal connection that deepens the relationship. “Many Sammons Financial Group [...]
Tribute to Women Lead Sponsor Spotlight: Avera
Post Sponsored by Avera. This year’s Tribute to Women event is going virtual on May 19 at 7 pm. Amid the greatest public health challenge of the past 100 years, EmBe is still here working to lead, empower and [...]
Honoring Erin Bosch
Blazing a Trail at EmBe Since 2011 Since 2011, Erin Bosch has been a catalyst for [...]
EmBe announces 2020 Tribute to Women nominees
Fifty women and men have been nominated for EmBe’s 47th Tribute to Women awards. Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award honoring the achievements of women in the region. “Tribute uniquely celebrates the work people do to empower our [...]
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Childcare & School Age Care During COVID-19 Crisis
Q: Will EmBe remain open if Governor Kristi Noem issues a shelter in place order for Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties? A: Yes. EmBe Childcare and School Age Care programs are considered a part of essential services critical to maintaining [...]
EmBe Wants to Help You Help Others
EmBe South Care EmBe School Age Care at our South location (3510 Ralph Rogers Road, Sioux Falls) is offering care from 7 am to 5:30 pm for all first responders. To enroll your child submit the Temporary School [...]
EmBe CEO Departure Announcement
EmBe CEO Departure Announcement During a time of transition and change, EmBe is announcing that Karen Lundquist, its Chief Executive Officer, will be leaving the organization in April. “Although we regret Karen’s departure, we have confidence in our senior [...]
Spinsters Rewind
1964 Senior Planners, Lynn James, Jan Lucas, Marcia Muller, Cheryl Ostegaard, Doris Tjaden, Laury Wilson, Becky Smith and Carol Christensen. The EmBe Spinsters Dance is an annual event that develops leadership skills among young people in the [...]
Are you out of work due to COVID-19?
What can you do if you are out of work due to COVID-19? You may qualify for South Dakota Reemployment Assistance. The below graphic shows which cases generally will qualify for RA benefits and which circumstances will likely not [...]
EmBe Program Scheduling Changes
*UPDATED JUNE 8, 2020* At the heart of our mission is serving all of you and we place your health and safety at the top of our priorities. Preventing the spread of COVID 19 is guiding all of our [...]
EmBe precautions and COVID-19
Sioux Falls, SD (March 11, 2020) - EmBe is proud to serve the community and place your health and safety at the top of our priorities. With this in mind, we have been carefully following recommendations from state and [...]
2019 – 2020 FIRST LEGO League Championship Standings
February 1, 2020 (Sioux Falls, SD) - Thirty-one teams descended on the Augustana University Elmen center to pit their robots and presentation skills against one another in a fury of fun, craziness, and Coopertition®. It was the 2019 - 2020 [...]
Making a positive impact with Angela Schoffelman
Avera’s commitment to making a positive impact shows in its partnership with EmBe Dress for Success Sioux Falls. As one of South Dakota’s largest employers, Avera invites Dress for Success Sioux Falls clients to job shadow and encourages them [...]
The History of FIRST LEGO League in South Dakota
In 2008, Dr. Alan Swanson brought FIRST LEGO League to South Dakota, gathering a group of interested educators and science lovers to be coaches for what he thought would be 4 – 5 teams. A graduate of MIT, Dr. [...]
In Her Shoes Client Spotlight: Regina Stough
What do you know about EmBe Dress for Success Sioux Falls? “EmBe Dress for Success is more than clothes,” program alumna Regina Stough gleefully shared. “EmBe Dress for Success Sioux Falls helps women of all ages, all walks of [...]
EmBe Vehicle Fund Drive
Sioux Falls (January 13, 2020) -- Friday, December 13th held true to its reputation for EmBe, when two vans and a bus were disabled in the parking lot at EmBe South, just off of 69th and Louise in Sioux [...]
Tribute to Women Nomination FAQ’s
Tribute to Women Nomination FAQ's Who can submit a Tribute nomination? Any individual, corporation, agency, civic organization, school, place of worship should lift up a deserving woman. In addition, the Embeliever award is is open to ANY individual or [...]
Meet In Her Shoes Client Speakers Amber & Laura Metzger
Amber Metzger and Laura Metzger credit EmBe Dress for Success Sioux Falls with helping them pave their paths to success. “At EmBe Dress for Success Sioux Falls, I can always reach out to get the support that I need, [...]
Welcome In Her Shoes Emcee Vanessa Gomez
We are excited to announce Vanessa Gomez, Weeknight Anchor and Reporter for KSFY, as our emcee for the 2020 In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast benefiting Dress for Success Sioux Falls. Dress for Success Sioux Falls has impacted 2,290 women [...]
EmBe Announces 2020 Women’s Leadership Program Participants
Sioux Falls, SD (December 9, 2019) - In preparation for its ninth year, EmBe has accepted 30 participants for the Women’s Leadership Program. Beginning in January, these women embark on a 17-month program with the intent to develop and [...]
FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the Rapid City Qualifiers
Rapid City, SD (December 9, 2019) – Last Saturday, 20 teams met at East Middle School in Rapid City to share their research to compete with their robots and have fun! This was the second Qualifier for the 2019-2020 CITY [...]
Shop for a Cause at JuLiana’s Boutique
This Giving Tuesday, EmBe is partnering up with a number of organizations to shine a light on empowerment in Sioux Falls and beyond. One partnership is with JuLiana’s Boutique in Downtown Sioux Falls. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, [...]
FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete in the Qualifier
Sioux Falls, SD (November 25, 2019) - Last Saturday, November 23 EmBe and POET hosted the first FIRST® LEGO® League Qualifier of the 2019-2020 Season. This season's challenge is CITY SHAPER, focusing on the challenges humans face as we [...]
Kori Meredith named EmBe Volunteer of the Year
Impact. Dedication. Heart for service. These words describe Kori Meredith, EmBe’s 2018 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. Kori, a third grade teacher at Spearfish Creekside Elementary, has organized Girls on the Run at her school since 2016. Girls on [...]
EmBe Opens Doors to Girls and STEAM
EmBe is hosting Girls Maker Day Saturday, September 28, for a free, hands-on experience with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math.) “We know that children love exploring and figuring out how the world works,” said Stacy Stahl, Executive [...]
EmBe announces 2019 Aberdeen Leadership Program participants
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota - September 25, 2019 - In cooperation with the State Board of Nursing, EmBe has accepted participants for the 12-month 2019 Aberdeen Nursing Leadership class beginning in September. As the fourth cohort, the 2019 class [...]
Experiencing Nurturing Networks
EmBe gathered representatives of nearly a dozen workplace networks to share their insights about women supporting each other at work. These 40 women represented a range of careers, experiences and levels of leadership, ultimately answering a resounding “yes” when [...]
Let Me Run, A Volunteer Story
THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERING EmBe, which was the YWCA when I first came across the work of the organization, was a valuable tool in helping out my family. I am a mom of two teenage boys and at one point [...]
Preschool Partnership with Sioux Falls Hope Coalition
EmBe begins preschool partnership with Sioux Falls Hope Coalition EmBe is honored to join forces with the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition alongside six additional major partners, in a collaboration to bring affordable preschool education to everyone in the Sioux Falls [...]
FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete Internationally
The Fantastic Five at the World Festival The Fantastic Five traveled to the FIRST® Championship and World Festival in Detroit. Arriving on April 24th, the teams witnessed the latest science and technology on display. "The Innovation Fair was cool. [...]
EmBe adds FIRST® LEGO® League Junior!
Do you have an imaginative LEGO-fanatic? Is there an elementary school student at your house who needs to practice teamwork skills? Know any kids who aren't interested in sports? Do you have a kid who just needs a place [...]
Brookings Cross Country Runner Awards EmBe Grant through Gatorade
Ellie Abraham received her award and presented her gift to EmBe's Executive Director for Youth Programs, Stacy Stahl at Brookings High School's Athletic Awards. South Dakota State Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ellie Abraham, awarded [...]
FIRST® LEGO® League building Fun in 2019-2020 season
The FIRST® LEGO® League and FIRST® LEGO® League Junior Themes have been released. Registration is now open! Register Here At the FIRST World Festival in Houston, TX, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and LEGO [...]
EmBe 2019 Tribute to Women Honorees
On Thursday evening, April 18, 2019 nearly 900 people gathered at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to celebrate people whose work supports women in our region. From 74 nominees, winners were selected in nine categories, including the EmBeliever category [...]
Sponsor Spotlight: The Convention Center
Content submitted by the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The Sioux Falls Convention Center has been a proud EmBe partner since 2015. When we began working together for the In Her Shoes empowerment breakfast that year, the event used just one [...]
Jennifer Hoesing Named EmBe’s Chief Development Officer
EmBe is announcing that Jennifer Smith Hoesing has joined the organization as their Chief Development Officer. She began her role on February 4, 2019. Hoesing is leading the development function, defining strategy and direction at a pivotal time, as [...]
Celebrate International Women’s Day: #YourHourHerPower
This International Women's Day, Dress for Success is raising awareness for the services they provide women across the globe. International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world and [...]
Meet Our Twos Teacher: Miss Zhenya
Classical music drifts through the halls at EmBe Downtown. If you follow those notes to their origin, you’ll find yourself in the Twos - a bright, lively room full of culture and thoughtfulness. And at the heart of it [...]
EmBe Announces Nominees for 46th Annual Tribute to Women
Seventy-four women, men and businesses have been nominated for the 46th Tribute to Women celebration. The event, which serves as EmBe’s premier fundraiser, honors the achievements of women in the community and recognizes women, men and businesses that show [...]
FIRST® LEGO® League Teams Prepare for International Competition
The competition season for FIRST® LEGO® League is over. Over 440 area students competed during the 2018-2019 INTO-ORBIT season in this dynamic STEM program that is a signature program of EmBe. They built and programmed their robot to complete [...]
LEGOS and Bib #1
Like good South Dakotans, we have been leaning into the wind, continuing our work and play through the drifts and flows of our snowy landscape. Although I enjoy the winter’s beauty, I also noticed some signs of spring in [...]
Washington HS Student Awards EmBe Grant Through Gatorade
Lily received her award and presented EmBe representatives with their gift at before one of her games. Sioux Falls native and South Dakota Volleyball Gatorade State Player of the Year, Lily Bartling, awarded EmBe with a $1,000 [...]
Grant Benefits EmBe Youth Programs
EmBe received a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Council of $3,600 to support scholarships for girls to participate in Girls on the Run at Hayward and Lowell Elementaries in our spring 2018 season and [...]
FIRST LEGO League Makes Technology Accessible and Fun
FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology As part of leading EmBe, I get to experience the impactful programs that fulfill our mission firsthand. Early on Saturday, February 2nd, I had my first taste of the state competition [...]
Nominate a Ground Breaker for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. Early in the history of these awards, Government and Law were considered "non-traditional" industries for women. But as more [...]
Nominate a Change Maker for Tribute to Women
We live in incredibly generous community and our 2018 Tribute to Women Community Service honoree is an example of that. Her dedication to causes outside of her work illustrate the kindness and empathy that so many in our community [...]
Nominate an Achiever for Tribute to Women
One of the broadest categories at EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration is Business Achievement. Women from across different industries are lifted up for their work making strides in marketing, small businesses, corporate savvy, nonprofit leadership and more. Time and [...]
Engage Your Imagination with Dramatic Play
In the Dramatic Play Area children take on different roles and recreate real-life experiences. They use props and make-believe to deepen their understanding about the world they live in. The ability to pretend is very important to your child’s [...]
Nominate an Innovator for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. The finance industry has a rich history in Sioux Falls and every year we recognize a woman who helps [...]
Nominate a Believer for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. We also recognize an individual or business that lives out EmBe's mission of empowering women and families to enrich [...]
2019 FIRST LEGO League State Tournament Showcases Talent
Team members from Surge during one of their robot runs. On a chilly Saturday morning this month, FIRST Lego League teams were checking in by 7:30 am. "When Life Gives you Llamas", "Surge", "Hill City Robotics" and the [...]
Nominate a Visionary for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. In a community full of innovation, the women nominated in Healthcare and STEM are making incredible strides that advance [...]
Nominate an Educator for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. Women who dedicate their lives to the arts and education enrich our communities with knowledge and beauty. Their dedication [...]
After School Day at the Capitol
The South Dakota School-Age Care Alliance and South Dakota Afterschool Network hosted Afterschool Day at the Capitol on February 6. As part of the program, the FIRST LEGO League First Place Champion traveled to Pierre to share their presentation [...]
Nominate a Young Leader for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. One of the most popular categories every year is Young Woman of Achievement. With so many young women who [...]
See Us Movement Celebrates One Year
EmBe is a proud sponsor of the See Us movement. “It was time to fight for something I am passionate about. I feel like female empowerment is looked down upon by many people, and I wanted to fight for [...]
Nominate a Mentor for Tribute to Women
Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. One of the greatest roles we celebrate through the awards is that of mentor. We know that when others [...]
Warm up with winter volunteer opportunities
That weary winter feeling is a real thing this time of year. The holidays are over and it is COLD. A great way to break-up the monotony of this long winter stretch is to volunteer! We’ve got some easy, [...]
EmBe Kids Enjoy Intergenerational Activities
Little voices and laughter echo through the halls at Trailridge, the Senior Living Community located down the street from EmBe South. Those “little voices” are preschoolers who have the opportunity to build relationship with older adults and participate in [...]
Meet In Her Shoes Emcee Beth Jensen
We are excited to announce Beth Jensen, News Director of KELOLAND News, as our emcee for the 2019 In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast benefiting our Dress for Success Sioux Falls program. Learn more about Beth below and get your [...]
Meet In Her Shoes Keynote Speaker Meredith Walker
With being a month out from our In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast on Feb 7, we're thrilled to welcome our 2019 keynote speaker, Meredith Walker. Learn more about Meredith in her bio below and don't forget to grab your [...]
2019 Women’s Leadership Program Participants Announced
EmBe has accepted participants for its 17-month 2019 Women’s Leadership Program beginning January of 2019. With more than 200 past participants, the 2019 class benefits from eight years of programming experience and community involvement. The applicants for the program [...]
Turkey Tom Teaches Kids to Give Back
Our annual "Tom the Turkey" food drive was a great success! This fun activity teaches our EmBe kids about giving back at an early age while raising important donations for Feeding South Dakota. This year, we raised 419 pounds [...]
EmBe Hosts Conversation Around Work-Life Balance
Earlier this month, EmBe held a session of its In Dialogue series focused on work-life balance. A hot topic with women, the conversation covered balancing the best of who you are at home, work and in the community. Small groups shared [...]
EmBe participating in South Dakota Gives on Giving Tuesday
First comes Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday followed by Cyber Monday. But at EmBe our favorite day is Giving Tuesday. Started as a day for consumers take a break from holiday shopping and do some holiday giving instead. [...]
EmBe Bringing Babysitting Camp to Mitchell
After years of honing and perfecting their popular Babysitting Camp, EmBe is bringing their program to Mitchell for the first time. The camp will take place December 27 at LB Williams school. EmBe uses the national curriculum from "Smart [...]
Volleyball Program Builds Confidence
Twice a year, EmBe conducts a ten-week volleyball program for children in grades 3 through 6. The league is broken into two divisions - 3rd and 4th grades and 5th and 6th grades. We believe in positively influencing youth [...]
Cold Weather Doesn’t Stop Determined Kids
While lots of people were posted up in cozy clothes on couches last Sunday afternoon, more than 700 Girls on the Run, Heart and Sole and Let Me Run participants were crossing the finish line of a 5K. The [...]
2018 Election Proves Historic for Women
A record number of women were elected in yesterday’s midterm elections. From governorships to congressional races, women won in important races in South Dakota and across the country. In Congress At least 98 women won house races last night [...]
Teaching Babysitters Essential Skills
Finding a skilled babysitter you can trust can be a challenge for parents. At EmBe, we teach nearly 100 kids the ins and outs of being good babysitters (and budding entrepreneurs)! EmBe's Youth Development Program Coordinator, Jennifer Swenson, went on [...]
Meredith Walker to headline 6th Annual In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast
Meredith Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, will be the keynote speaker at EmBe’s 6th Annual In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast on Thursday, February 7 from 7:30am–9:00am. In addition to Walker, the event will feature [...]
Effectively Disciplining Your Children
Our staff not only serve as great resources for the women and families we serve but they are full of knowledge they share with the community. This week, our Director of Childcare Services LaToria Horan stopped by KELOLAND Living to [...]
New polling shows America is for afterschool
By NIKKI YAMASHIRO Posted: Oct 22, 2018 THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED AT AFTERSCHOOLALLIANCE.ORG Just in time for Lights On Afterschool, the only national rally celebrating afterschool, a new national poll is out that shows strong public support for afterschool. Nearly 9 in 10 adults [...]
Lights On Afterschool Celebrates 19th Anniversary
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates [...]
Three Generations of Leadership
Ellen Hamilton (left) and Judy Hamilton (right) sit together in Judy's Sioux Falls home, holding a photo of Helen Jacobson (Hudson), Judy's mother. All three Hamilton women have served on the EmBe (formerly the YWCA) Board of Directors. [...]
EmBe launches new website
For the past year, work has been going on behind-the-scenes on a new website at EmBe. The new website launched last month, so chance are, you've been here already! While our previous website was new technology when it came [...]
Women’s Leadership Program Has Big Impact
Since it’s inception in 2011, EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program has led more than 200 women reach their greatest potential. This incredible program, facilitates the development of emerging female professionals by utilizing the experiences and skills of established community leaders; [...]
EmBe Announces New CEO
SIOUX FALLS (Oct. 9, 2018)— Today, the EmBe Board of Directors is proud to announce that Karen Lundquist has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Lundquist will begin her new role October 24. Lundquist, of Sioux Falls, [...]
EmBe employee uses CPR to save a life
When Brittany Lee went to Wal-Mart to pick up formula this summer – a fairly routine errand, little did she know that she would leave Wal-Mart with formula and a story of the time she saved a life. As [...]
Meet Miss Sarah
We want you to get to know the great childcare workers we have at EmBe. Childcare jobs are essential to a strong workforce and the people that care for our kids are doing amazing work. Name: Sarah Watts Site [...]
Finn’s Story
Finn was born 15 weeks early and weighed just 1lb 12oz. He spent the first 98 days of his life in the NICU. Because of his early birth, Finn has fine and gross motor delays and Reactive Airway Disease [...]
Parenting Class with the Parent Connection!
EmBe is proud to be partnering with the South Dakota Parent Connection on this five week series on Understanding the Social and Emotional Development of Children. Session topics will include: -The Development of Social Skills -Red Flags and Warning Signs: How [...]
Little Time, Big Impact
Since 2013, Dress for Success Sioux Falls has been empowering women in our community. By clothing them with interview outfits and mentoring them through job searching, Dress for Success treats their clients with dignity and respect and helps them [...]
Swimming Builds Confidence
Fall swim lessons start soon at EmBe. As we enter the cooler months, now is the time to enroll your family in one of the organization’s many aquatic programs available this season. EmBe uses the American Red Cross for [...]
EmBe Honors Nine at the 45th Annual Tribute to Women Celebration
Last night at the Washington Pavilion, EmBe recognized 52 women and men for the annual Tribute to Women event that celebrates the rich history of recognizing the achievements of exceptional individuals throughout the community. The following were honored for [...]
Five Great Reasons to Coach Kids!
Three of EmBe’s signature after-school programs will begin in March, and they are in need of volunteers like you! Girls on the Run is an activity-based, positive youth development program for grades 3 through 5, and over 1,500 girls participate [...]
EmBe announces nominees for 45th Annual Tribute to Women celebration
Fifty-two women, men and businesses have been nominated for the 45th Tribute to Women celebration. The event, which serves as EmBe’s premier fundraiser, honors the achievements of women in the community and recognizes men, women and businesses that show [...]
You Empowered Sarah
Sarah Rhea Werner left her full-time day job a little over a year ago to start her own business. She’s a writer. She runs two successful podcasts. She writes a column about podcasting for Forbes magazine. She does public speaking [...]
You Empowered Jackie
Jackie’s story is an unlikely one. A single mother of two, Jackie found herself out of work. This led to some financial hardship, including an outstanding balance to her daughter’s childcare center - EmBe. One day, feeling frustrated by [...]
FIRST® LEGO® League teams move on to nationals
Over 350 children have enjoyed building and programming their LEGO Mindstorm robots and learning about the interactions between humans and animals during the past season’s FIRST® LEGO® League Animal AlliesSM theme. Fifty-six teams of 9 to 14 year olds [...]
Nominate someone today for Tribute to Women!
EmBe’s Tribute to Women will celebrate its 45th event this spring, honoring the incredible legacies and achievements in our community. Awards are given out based on nominations sent to EmBe, and winners are not announced until the event. You can [...]
Staff Spotlight: Stacy Stahl
“Look at what I can be.” You might wonder if that’s Stacy Stahl’s personal mantra or if it’s the underlying theme to the programs she directs at EmBe. The real answer is that it is both. As the Youth [...]
Staff Spotlight: Nancy Fallon
“Did I tell you I was a singer too?” With a smile and a sly look in her eye, she pulls out her phone and starts to play a song. It’s a jazzy rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow [...]
YWCA Mitchell and EmBe to Merge
The YWCA Mitchell Board of Directors is casting a new vision to better serve the Mitchell area community by merging together with Sioux Falls based nonprofit, EmBe. The YWCA of Mitchell has served the community for 97 years, and [...]
Dress for Success Sioux Falls continues to empower
The last year at Dress for Success Sioux Falls has been remarkable. We are settled into our new building on West 18th Street and are serving more women than ever. In 2016, we served 367 women. In the first [...]
Staff Spotlight: Erin Bosch
“Back then we called it bossy, now we call it good leadership skills.” Erin Bosch, Director of Women’s Leadership and Executive Director of Dress for Success Sioux Falls, laughs as she recalls the labels she faced as a strong-willed [...]
Programs foster donor growth
EmBe’s continued growth is rooted in programming. Whether it’s the addition of a new school site for our Girls on the Run program, the addition of our Girls’ Makers Day event to expose more girls to STEAM career fields, [...]
Aquatics Campaign is Opportunity to Connect to Memories
Aquatics Campaign is Opportunity to Connect to Memories For almost 60 years the pool at EmBe has been providing memories and experiences for many throughout our community. It is the pool where some of our community leaders learned to [...]