Mission and Leadership

I have been involved with Hope Harbor since 2009 as teacher, financial secretary, board member, and now as Executive Director.  I have bachelor's degrees in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting and management and Business Education.  My primary responsibility is to provide leadership for the ministry, ensure fiscal responsibility by being good stewards of resources, and continually striving to be a ministry of excellence. I have been married to Wade since 1990 and we have three married adult children and one granddaughter.  I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, reading, going for walks, beating Wade at backgammon, and spending time at our cabin in Alexandria MN.  I love sharing the Hope Harbor story with anyone who will listen.  I also enjoy speaking to groups about how God has worked in my own life and how He has always been faithful to provide for every need.

My Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 

I was raised in Minneota, MN and received my bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2004. On to bigger and better things, I was never moving back home.  Raised in a Christian home, my faith was tested and grown in 2015 when my husband Joe and I decided he'd leave his family business and move back to Minneota.  I learned the true meaning of “trusting in the Lord” when I forfeited my plan for my life; in 2018 we decided it was time for me to resign from my 11 year career so I could be fully present in raising our children.  We live on a small acreage outside of Minneota with our three beautiful children, a dog, and a cat! I enjoy making memories with my family and friends. On the weekends you can usually find our family doing some kind of house project! I believe the Lord answered my prayers when the Finance Secretary position was presented to me in March of 2019. I am blessed to be a part of this amazing ministry! 

My Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

I was born and raised in small town Minnesota where cattle far outnumbered people.   My grandmother taught me the importance of a love for Jesus from an early age.  I didn't fully understand it but I held onto it dearly.  I moved to Marshall in 2002 to attend SMSU, studying Sociology, Justice Administration and Criminal Justice.   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.   I have been with Hope Harbor since 2007 as Direct Care Staff, Lead Staff, Program Coordinator, Program Director, Director of Operations and now Site Director.  In this role, I support staff in Marshall as they minister to our girls and families each day.  

My Favorite Scripture: Revelation 12:11 

I was born and raised in Marshall, Minnesota and heard about Hope Harbor back as a freshman in high school.  The ministry had been in the back of my mind throughout college until my senior year. I attended SMSU in Marshall and received a degree in Social Work.  I also obtained my social work licensure in 2019.   During my senior year at SMSU, I chose to intern at Hope Harbor and that is where my journey began with this ministry. I fell in love with this place and the work all the staff gets to do.  We love on the girls and help them find their purpose and identity in Christ. I started here as a Direct Care Staff in May 2018 then moved into the role of Program Coordinator in May 2019.  Fun facts about me: I played tennis for SMSU all four years, I have a cat named Chloe (follow @meowmeowChloe on Instagram), and I love calligraphy and you will see some of my writing around the house when visiting Hope Harbor. 

My Favorite Scripture: Luke 19:3

I grew up in small town central MN with a great family and community. I knew who Jesus was and was involved in my church, but didn’t make Him my Savior until college. By then the community where I grew up was a bit shaken, so I found comfort in knowing my God would never be shaken or leave me. After I graduated with a BS in Community Psychology from St. Cloud State, got engaged, made the move to Marshall and began working at Hope Harbor. I felt instantly at home in Marshall between my coworkers, my church, and my husband, Loic. God showed up in His perfect timing by continual provision and showing me His plans are far better than my own. As the Biblical Counselor I love the opportunity to serve Him and this ministry in a new way. Some things I love: doing laundry (weird I know), listening to audiobooks, long walks, and traveling. 

My Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:34

I grew up in Morris, MN and attended the U of M Twin Cities. Go Gophers! I graduated with a BS in Agricultural Education and a teaching license. I taught 7-12 agriculture for three years, which brought me to the Marshall area. I started at Hope Harbor in September 2017 as Direct Care Staff. I have always known God, but working here and finding my church community has helped my faith to grow. When the teaching position opened here in Marshall I wasn’t too sure about it until I found myself saying “yes!” I truly believe that He lead me here. In the Teacher role, I manage the girls’ individual education  progress and the classroom to help them with their school work.  In the small classroom setting we have here, I get to connect with the girls more and spend more one on one time with them as they learn.

My Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

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.  

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 was raised in a Christian family that struggled greatly, with many difficulties that was just trying to find their way. Through many hard years, God has healed me and used much of my past for good. He has molded my heart to have a passion for others and helping them in their hardships. I moved to Winona in 2016 where I attended Winona State University and graduated with a major in Psychology and a minor in Child Advocacy. During my college years, I started working at Hope Harbor and quickly fell in love with the staff and the girls that I get to work with. Not wanting to leave after graduation, I followed God’s call and became the teacher at the Winona home. Some of my favorite things about this job is watching broken hearts become healed through Jesus, discipling the girls, and participating in many of the fun activities that we do. 

My favorite scripture: Joshua 1:9

I grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina, with a long line of pastors in my family but I never really understood who Jesus was.  Like many young people, I suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts, looking to end it all at age 12, and then I personally met Jesus.  It wasn't until college that I “got real” with my faith.  I attended and played football for the Winston-Salem State University Rams and graduated with a degree in Business Management.  I laid down a dream to make a pro team and began teaching in North Carolina before receiving an invitation to try out for the Sioux Falls Storm arena football team.  Sioux Falls became my new home, where I also taught, coached football and basketball at Roosevelt High School, and spent 2 1/2 years at Collision.

I am married to my childhood love, Marcy, and we have a beautiful family of two boys and three girls. I enjoy family time, coaching my son’s flag football team, training my daughter in basketball, writing free verse poetry and public speaking. On Sundays, you will often find me speaking at various churches or singing on stage. I am excited and eager to respond to the call from God to join the Hope Harbor Team! 

I was born and raised in England and had no knowledge of who Jesus was.  I was borderline anorexic later in my teen life I was a borderline alcoholic.  It wasn't until September 2009 that I changed my life around, wanting something different and better than what I had been living. I moved back to England, in 2010 where I got married to the most beautiful American lady, ever (about five visas later and still going)!  We wanted to do ministry together, praying while volunteering at our local church.   God moved us to Sioux Falls, SD in 2014.  We worked with a high school ministry mentoring and discipling teens into a greater relationship with Jesus for three years before heading back to England where we became the Kids, Youth and Young Adults Pastors for a local church. Then, God moved us back to Sioux Falls again and I am now working with Hope Harbor as Program Coordinator.

My wife, Tabitha and I have two boys and one more on the way!  We love time as a family, watching movies, going for walks, building snowmen and Jesus.  I am excited to be a part of this team as we let Jesus do His thing in each boy that comes through our doors.

I was born in Baltimore, MD.  My Mum, a single parent, had the utmost unconditional love for her children.  As a fatherless child, I desired the deep love of a father.  My grandma was the greatest example in my life to set a foundation of living and experiencing what a prayer warrior looks like on a daily basis.  At a youth camp on a summer evening, I received Jesus as my Savior, my first love and Daddy.  God called and anointed me to preach and teach the gospel, directing my steps in pastoral youth ministry. 

I graduated as a licensed Chaplain at The Association for Counseling and Clinical Pastoral Education,Inc.(ACPE).  Worked at Memorial, Sacred Heart, Thomas B. Finan Center Psychiatric hospital - Teen Jackson unit and Western Maryland Health system and as a Chaplain Associate for 25 years.   When I received a call from Jon asking if I would pray about this job, my spirit was stirred.  I said yes when God said, “Go”! I moved to South Dakota to answer the call.  With much prayer and expectation, I pick up my spiritual weapons and will full on go battle for the young teen boys at Hope Harbor.  I love having loads of family time with my children and grandchildren.  I also enjoy styling hair, reading, and writing scripture devotions for a  future book. 

My Favorite Scriptures:  Proverbs 3:5-12 & Jeremiah 31:3 

I grew up in Marietta, Ga., which is just outside of Atlanta.  In the summer of 2002, I met my husband, Scott Dent at the church that I was attending.  By the end of the summer, we were engaged and married a year later.  Once we were engaged, I moved to Florida because my future husband was in school to be a pastor at Warner Southern College and lived with family friends until we were married in June of 2003.  In 2004, our first daughter Alyssa was born. In March of 2005, we moved to Meridian, MS for our first pastorate. Our family grew in 2006 when our second daughter, Ryleigh, was born. We lived in MS for 5 years then moved to Ga and pastored a church in the North Georgia mountains for 4 years. In 2014, we followed God’s calling to Marion, South Dakota where we have been for the past 6 years. In 2016, we welcomed our third daughter, Presley. My passion is working with teens and teaching them what God truly has to offer.  I am blessed to be a part of Hope Harbor’s ministry as the teacher in Parker.