New Faces at the Boys & Girls Club of Yankton

The Boys & Girls Club of Yankton has added four new faces and three new positions over the past few months.

Taylor Slaght is the new AmeriCorps VISTA at the Club. She first started in May as a Youth Development Specialist (YDS) after moving back to South Dakota with her family from Alaska.

Ms. Taylor says that she wanted to work at the Boys & Girls Club of Yankton because she grew up going to the Club in Pierre and “remembered how much fun I had there.” She also wanted to work for a nonprofit and “work with kids and be a crucial part in how their lives take shape.”

After just a few days as a YDS, Ms. Taylor decided to look into the AmeriCorps VISTA position, which she started in June. As a VISTA, Ms. Taylor gets to work with the kids while also working behind the scenes on Club programs, resource development, retention, building a volunteer base, and more.

“My favorite part about working for the Club so far, besides the kids of course, is the team that I have had the pleasure of becoming part of. And being involved in a culture that feels like your coworkers really have your back,” Ms. Taylor said.

Alec Martin started at the Club in July as the Youth Diversion Director, a new position created after the Club was awarded the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative grant. This grant further enhances our juvenile diversion program at the Club by allowing us to focus on prevention and intervention for youth engaging in behaviors that put them at risk for justice system involvement.  

“I was interested in the position because I really enjoy being around kids and this job gives me the opportunity to do that on a daily basis,” Mr. Alec said.

Mr. Alec’s school experience will also play a hand to his role as he studied Criminal Justice at Mount Marty University, graduating this past spring. He also played baseball there and is originally from Moscow, Idaho.

Since starting, Mr. Alec has been busy connecting with the kids and traveling to other area Clubs with diversion programs to learn about the program. He said his favorite part about the position so far is that “it is something new each and every day.”

Amber Hinnerichs has also started in a brand new position at the Boys & Girls Club of Yankton as the Education Director. The Education Director position is new to the Club thanks to a 5-year grant awarded by 21st Century Community Learners centers. This grant allows us to partner closely with the Yankton School District in creating a school-based afterschool tutoring program run by the Boys & Girls Club, which Ms. Amber will lead.  

“After praying and listening to God, I knew that applying for this job was exactly what I needed to do,” Ms. Amber says about why she was interested in the position. “I love that I still get to impact our youth daily but also utilize my gifts a lot broader than I have been able to in the past.”

As an assistant teacher for the Club’s Power Up program this past summer, Ms. Amber is already comfortable and experienced with the Club. She and her family are Yankton locals, with her husband working in town and their four children Austin, Seth, Ava, and Thea, all attending school in Yankton. Even Ms. Amber’s siblings, nieces, nephews, grandparents, and parents are Yankton locals.

Ms. Amber said that she is looking forward to the tutoring program starting at Stewart Elementary on Monday, October 4th and “to exciting school year for all of our kids, but especially those in our program.”

Halen Groenke joined us in Yankton in early August and started as the new Elementary Director. Ms. Halen moved from Brookings after graduating from South Dakota State University in the spring with a B.A. in Journalism.

When Ms. Halen is not at the Club, she enjoys roller skating, watching a good movie, or listening to one of her favorite podcasts.

Ms. Halen is not new to the Boys & Girls Club as she worked at the Brookings Club for two years while in college. Her experience has helped her quickly adapt to the Yankton Club.

“I’m very excited I get to continue working for the Club as the new Elementary Director in Yankton,” Ms. Halen said. “I can’t wait to see our members grow and become awesome leaders.”