Kari Davelaar considers it a privilege to be on staff after being a SD launching ministry lead for 7 years at her local church. Prior to joining Bethany, she was Outreach Director at 1st Christian Reformed and a registered nurse. Kari is married to Mike for 31 years, and they have 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren. They have served as a host family for the last seven years, and are so happy to stay in touch and involved with several of the kids and their parents that they have hosted. Kari knows first-hand that God is praised and blessed by all who volunteer with Safe Families!
Kathryn Olson has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Concordia College Moorhead, as well as a Master of Science in Counseling and Student Affairs from the Minnesota State University Moorhead. Over the course of her career Kathryn has worked with a variety of age groups, and has experience working in childcare, counseling centers, higher education, training, and supervision. Most recently, she has worked as the Training Coordinator at Lutheran Social Services. Kathryn thinks Safe Families is a wonderful program promoting family re-unification!

The Ransom is our pioneer church that laid ground work and launched Safe Families in Sioux Falls in 2013. Angel is the Compassions Ministry Director at The Ransom Church. She was a child from a hard place and is motivated to intervene in the lives of children who are experiencing similar situations. Angel has served as a family coach to several placing parents. She has a contagious passion and is constantly growing this movement of compassion in Sioux Falls and beyond!

First Evangelical Free was an integral part of launching Safe Families in Sioux Falls in 2014 with the very first host families. Shannan and Laura are church attenders at First Evangelical Free. They both share a background in the social services realm and were drawn to Safe Families as a place where they could unleash those skills and gifts once again. Shannan, who has served as both a family coach and host family, was compelled to invite her fellow church attenders to meet vulnerable families in Sioux Falls face-to-face and develop life-changing relationships with them through Safe Families. Laura shines as a highly invested family coach in multiple on-going relationships.

First Christian Reformed was the third church to collaboratively launch Safe Families in Sioux Falls in 2014. Kari was the Parish Nurse and Outreach Ministries Coordinator at First Christian Reformed. During a local tour of Bethany Christian Services, she heard of this new and emerging ministry called Safe Families. She was drawn to it because it provided the structure to mobilize multiple people to participate in diverse roles and decided that this was an outreach ministry her church could support! She is a natural caregiver and has served as a dedicated host family.

Matt joined the movement as a host family and quickly realized he wanted to give more of his time and passion to this transforming ministry. He enjoys supporting volunteers as they are stretched through opening their homes and hearts because he's "been there, done that" and keeps doing it!

Nancy attends Faith Baptist Fellowship and is a family coach & host family with a significant on-going relationship with a particular placing parent and hosted child. Nancy knew she could do even more! She felt God tugging at her to utilize her social work background and host family experience as a ministry lead at her church.

Brendon is the Outreach Director at Shalom Christian Reformed. When the church leadership embarked on an adventure of identifying local non-profits they could partner with, he stepped up to be the ministry lead for Safe Families for his church. Brendon has an undeniable can-do spirit when it comes to spreading the Gospel!

Robyn has a rich background in child abuse prevention so when she heard about the potential of this ministry to get involved before harm comes to children she was excited to get her church on board. She also invited her friend Jamelee to partner with her and together they mobilize their congregation to surround a family-in-need!

Pam is the Children's Pastor at Peace with a contagious, all-encompassing love for children. When she learned about Safe Families she was determined to be an active part of inviting her congregation to embrace this outreach ministry! Pam now serves as a family coach as well.

Nancy is the Director of Worship Ministry at Holy Spirit. She is a natural organizer who loves to see others' gifts and match them with a need in our community. Her positive outlook and warm personality make it easy to join her merciful vision!