Mikena VanLiere - EmBe

Summer Fun, Learning, and Experiences Start at EmBe

Mikena VanLiere2024-01-26T16:28:52-06:00

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 locations. Enrollment for Community Learning Center Summer Care in the Sioux Falls Public Schools opens January 2, 2024. The summer session offers a variety of experiences, engagement, continuous learning, and adventure. Children develop friendships and new skills with unique learning opportunities and hands-on involvement. They experience a full summer of activities like swimming, sports, reading, and games. EmBe also provides weekly [...]

Summer Fun, Learning, and Experiences Start at EmBeMikena VanLiere2024-01-26T16:28:52-06:00

Childcare Crisis Statement from EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen: December 2023

Mikena VanLiere2023-12-19T14:11:16-06:00

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 in South Dakota depend on them. As a community, we understand the critical role of childcare in supporting the workforce, and we compel our communities and the state to collaborate on solutions that meet the needs of families and children. EmBe has been engaged in meaningful discourse to navigate this challenging situation with a focus on the well-being of children, families, [...]

Childcare Crisis Statement from EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen: December 2023Mikena VanLiere2023-12-19T14:11:16-06:00

EmBe and LAIC Partner to Enhance Childcare Services in Madison

Mikena VanLiere2023-11-15T15:48:10-06:00

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 step is a partnership with a renowned expert in childcare and education services. EmBe has been announced as the operator of a new childcare facility planned for construction. It is set to open its doors in 2025. “This is another critical step in the process of addressing the need for childcare in our community,” said LAIC Executive Director Brooke Rollag. “EmBe [...]

EmBe and LAIC Partner to Enhance Childcare Services in MadisonMikena VanLiere2023-11-15T15:48:10-06:00

50th Annual Tribute to Women Recap

Mikena VanLiere2023-11-14T15:13:02-06:00

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 nominations for the 50th Annual Tribute to Women Awards at the Washington Pavilion on October 19. As the longest-standing award ceremony honoring women in our region, the historic event honored the impact of women, men, and businesses in the Sioux Empire, and raised funds to sustain the mission of the century-old organization. “In 1974, Tribute to Woman started as a Leader [...]

50th Annual Tribute to Women RecapMikena VanLiere2023-11-14T15:13:02-06:00

Donor Spotlight: Meet Janet Naessig

Mikena VanLiere2024-02-07T11:31:28-06:00

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 on the Board of Directors in 2003. Janet’s involvement dates to having chaired the Leader Luncheon, engaging in the Annual Fund Drive, the Santa House Project, the first ladies golf tournament, and much more! Janet has also been a longtime supporter and donor of EmBe. She was the Y’s representative to The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation during the drive to [...]

Donor Spotlight: Meet Janet NaessigMikena VanLiere2024-02-07T11:31:28-06:00

Youth Spotlight: Cambree Cook

Mikena VanLiere2024-02-07T11:32:32-06:00

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 great camp experience, she says she’s learned that she can become whatever she wants. Camp Girl VIP is a unique camp experience that helps girls find their voice, recognize the impact they can make on their community and help them explore their power and purpose. "During my time at EmBe's camps, I have made a lot of new friends, and I [...]

Youth Spotlight: Cambree CookMikena VanLiere2024-02-07T11:32:32-06:00

Mentoring Mindset Workshop

Mikena VanLiere2023-04-04T08:54:24-05:00

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 mentors in anticipation of the pairing to a mentor for this cohort. This Workshop is offered virtually at noon or in person at 4 PM at Downtown EmBe, where we will provide wine and cheese. This Workshop is a free event, but RSVP is required. Sign up for the Mentoring Mindset Workshop here. For more information or questions, please get in [...]

Mentoring Mindset WorkshopMikena VanLiere2023-04-04T08:54:24-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: April 2023

Mikena VanLiere2023-03-29T12:22:13-05:00

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 always been my favorite season. Perhaps it’s the budding energy, the awakening of the community after the hibernation of winter, and the freshness of growth everywhere you look. Or perhaps it’s that my birthday and EmBe anniversary is also in the same week of the beginning of Spring, regardless I love spring. One of my favorite things about living in this [...]

EmBe CEO Column: April 2023Mikena VanLiere2023-03-29T12:22:13-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Melissa Hiatt

Mikena VanLiere2023-03-20T15:13:38-05:00

“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 help meet their personal and professional goals. Putting the pivotal mentors, leadership, and programs in place is what we are excited to bring more emphasis to within the community. We are ecstatic to announce the addition of Melissa Hiatt, Director of Women’s Programming, to the EmBe team! We are certain that Melissa’s experience and new ideas will grow Women’s Programming to [...]

Staff Spotlight: Melissa HiattMikena VanLiere2023-03-20T15:13:38-05:00

FIRST® LEGO® League 2022-23 Championship Recap

Mikena VanLiere2023-03-20T15:16:24-05:00

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 South Dakota, North Sioux City to Rapid City, and many cities and small towns in between, to compete and showcase their complex robots. Teams were judged based on their innovation project, presentation skills, robot design, and core values. Our 2022-23 Season Challenge was a SUPERPOWERED℠ theme and had teams creating an innovation project that included a real-world solution utilizing renewable energy. [...]

FIRST® LEGO® League 2022-23 Championship RecapMikena VanLiere2023-03-20T15:16:24-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere