Kari Kraayenbrink, Community Health Worker is the first face you see when you walk into Codington County Community Services (formally Codington County Welfare Office). As the Administrative Assistant, Kari can “work a magic wand and make things happen”. When she started part time during the pandemic in July 2020 Kari helped Codington County residents with immediate needs. But since then, Kari earned a Community Health Worker Certification to assist clients long term through case management.
Get to know more about Kari, January’s featured member:
What do you like most about your job?
Being able to assist people in need and watch them reach their goal of being stable in life.
What’s the most important skill that you bring to the table at Codington Connects?
Having the knowledge of the community resources and making sure they are listed on the Codington Connects website.
Who or what inspires you in your work?
The person that has inspired me regarding social services work is Sara Foust. Seeing how passionate she is about the social services world and how she has brought everyone together in Codington County and the work she continues to do for the community is inspiring to me.
What hobbies, interests, recreation, etc. do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my 2 boys, attending sporting events that my boys & nephew are in, watching most sports on TV, and crafting when I have time.
What’s your secret talent no one knows about?
Not sure that I really have a talent that no one knows about, but I have been told I can work a magic wand and make things happen.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
Mexican food and my two boys.