Mission and Leadership

I have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting and management and in Business Education.  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2009, first as teacher and financial secretary, then as a board member, and today as Executive Director since 2016.  My primary responsibility is to ensure the ministry is being fiscally responsible, good stewards of our resources, and striving to be a ministry of excellence.  I oversee the entire ministry including our homes in Marshall and Winona, and future expansion sites.   As Site Director in Marshall, I oversee the day to day operations and provide donor management.   My husband Wade is the superintendent at Wabasso Public Schools.  We were married in 1990 and  have three adult children, all teachers. The education bug definitely runs deep in our family.  All of our children are married and we have one granddaughter.  My Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

I was born and raised in small town MN, where my grandmother taught me a love for Jesus that I didn't fully understand but that I held onto dearly.  After college, I had the education to do what I thought I should, the experience to show me I didn’t know what I wanted, and plenty of baggage that needed checking. Wise counsel recommended that I pray Proverbs 3:5-6 over my life - and direct my paths He did!  I found healing I didn’t know I needed in a place I never expected to find it: my job at Hope Harbor.  My husband and I married in 2011 and welcomed our daughter in 2016.  She definitely gives me a whole new perspective on life and faith!  God is so good to me all the time.  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2007, and my job as Director of Operations is essentially to put out little fires and occasionally start some of my own. I get to laugh a lot, pray a lot, be creative and also I answer the phone.  My Favorite Scripture: Revelation 12:11 

I was born and raised in Green Bay and am thereby required to be a Packers fan, but I don't actually watch football. My brother is one of my best friends. I love writing letters by hand. I am a former junior high/high school Language Arts teacher, and I still get asked frequently to edit writing or correctly spell a word. I love road trips.  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2013.  I served as House Staff before the Teacher role. I manage the girls' education to ensure that they get the credits they need and assist them with their daily work. As a public school teacher, I always wished I could get to know my students better, so it is a joy for me to connect with the girls here on a deeper level and show them that I care about them and their progress, both in and out of the classroom. My Favorite Scripture: Psalm 18:28 

Hi!! I am originally from Worthington, Minnesota. I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2015 with a degree in Psychology. After college, I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and to use me for His good works all for the glory of God. Hope Harbor was the answer to my every prayer. I love working in this amazing ministry and helping these beautiful teen girls and their families. I embrace celebrating the process of each individual because God is so good and His provision is amazing. I have worked at Hope Harbor since October 2017. My job is to provide biblical counsel and equip teens, empower parents, and be a part of a total family restoration all through the promises of God's word and discovering who they are in Christ.  ​My Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 

I've lived in Winona since 1967 and love the nurturing, wholesome community here.  I have been married for 31 wonderful years to my husband, Rich.  We have 5 boys and 3 lovely daughter-in-laws.  My family is important to me!  My growing up years were tumultuous and I made some unwise decisions as a teenager.  Looking back, I know the hand of God was upon me to save me and save me he did!  The work of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of my mother shaped who I am today.  I taught in public schools for 10 years, directed church groups of many types as well as been involved in community activities.  I'm so excited to be able to continue the work of Hope Harbor in our community!  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2017 and my job is to direct Hope Harbor in Winona as a collaboration with Marshall's home.  

My Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9 

I was born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and raised just outside of Winona, with a few years in New Jersey.  The eldest of seven daughters, I was homeschooled until I left home for college. I attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, worked as a nanny, and graduated with a degree in Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation in spring of 2016.  I had the opportunity to live in the Philippines for six months working with an anti-sex trafficking organization in the slums of Metro Manila. This experience changed my life and really solidified my desire to serve young women and girls who are hurting. I have been with Hope Harbor since 2016, serving in various ways and all shifts.  As Program Coordinator for the Winona home, I get to see and experience many different sides of both the girls here and the ministry as a whole! 

My Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:37-39

In college I found the acceptance and significance I was searching for when Christ drew me to Himself. God filled me with His joy as He healed me from looking for acceptance in the wrong places. I've always had a passion for people of different cultures and was ready to tell the world about Him! As God has a sense of humor, He called me right back to my college town of Marshall, where I hesitantly began as House Staff at Hope Harbor. Five years later I followed Him to Winona to serve with this amazing ministry's new house. I stepped into the role of counselor this year knowing God had been preparing me for this. I love to see Him work in these precious girls and their families, as I get to challenge them, pray with them, and disciple them. He brings healing to the deepest places, gives them a sense of significance, and guides them to live in a way that honors Him and blesses them. This job is the best! 

My Favorite Scripture:  Psalm 40:1-10 

I grew up in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota before moving down to Winona, Minnesota.  I attended Saint Mary's University in Winona where I received a Bachelor's degree in Math and minored in Psychology.  I enjoy playing soccer, baking, biking, and doing puzzles. I am very involved in my church.  I serve on a fellowship team, I co-lead youth group, and I attend bible studies.  I have three siblings.  I have been tutoring students since I was in college and I enjoy helping people on a one to one basis.  I have worked with youth in many capacities, including as a camp counselor, in my church's youth group, and previously as a paraprofessional in public school.  I am very excited to bring my love for Christ, for tutoring, and for youth all together in my new position as teacher in the Anchor Academy classroom at Hope Harbor in Winona.  I joined the team at Hope Harbor in June of 2018.   

My Favorite Scripture: John 15:16.  

Jon grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lenoir, North Carolina. While he had a long line of pastors in his extended family, Jon never really quite understood who Jesus was. Like many young people today, he suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. At age 12, he found himself in his bedroom, looking to end it all. That’s where he personally met Jesus. However, it wouldn’t be until his sophomore year of college that he “got real” with his faith.

Jon attended and played football for the Winston-Salem State University Rams. He never played a snap until his sophomore year, when he noticed during a game there were only 10 guys on the field. He heard a voice in his head say go. So, he went. (That’s right, he put himself into the game). The Rams were punting (and as Jon states, “the Red Sea parted”) and he delivered a crushing tackle. Thinking he would be kicked off the team, the coaches instead congratulated him for being ready when his number was called. (Kids, don’t try this at home). He later became #1 on the depth chart for cornerbacks throughout his junior and senior years he won conference championships and finished his senior year as a Division II finalist. 

He graduated with a degree in Business Management, and after hoping to make a pro team, laid that dream down and began teaching at Hickory High School in North Carolina. He received an invitation to try out for the Sioux Falls Storm arena football team. He made the cut and Sioux Falls became his new home. He also taught and coached football and basketball at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls. He met John Glasser from Collision, through a mutual friend Charlie Sanders and would go on the spend the next 2 1/2 years at Collision. Jon has been serving the community of Sioux Falls Since he arrived with the storm in 2013 and hasn’t stopped yet.

Jon is married to his childhood love, Marcy, and has a growing family of two boys, two girls and one on the way. He enjoys family time, coaching his son’s flag football team, training his daughter lezlei in basketball, writing free verse poetry and public speaking. On Sundays, you will often find him speaking at various churches or singing on stage. Jon is excited and eager to respond to the call from God to join the Hope Harbor Team!