Waypost

🌻 Happy June! 🌻

A new month means a fresh start—and a new chance to support survivors in our community. We’ve just updated our Wishlist with a few everyday essentials that keep our shelter running smoothly and comfortably.

👉 Check out our full June Wishlist and schedule a drop-off here: https://waypost1448.wixstudio.com/waypost?rc=test-site

Thank you for standing with us! 💚

A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference.

The paint in our Family Connections hallways, kitchen, and TV room is more than 15 years old. As you can see from these photos, our newly painted support group room feels brighter, warmer, and more welcoming—a space that feels like home instead of a clinical setting.

Families come to Waypost during some of the most difficult times in their lives. We want every room they enter to reflect the comfort, hope, and dignity they deserve.

We're looking for volunteers to help us refresh these spaces during Day of Caring. If you'd like to make a meaningful impact with just a few hours of your time, we'd love to have your help.

Together, we can create spaces where healing feels a little more like home.

Sign Up Here! https://www.yanktonunitedway.org/dayofcaring

✨ Employee Spotlight: Anna Meredith ✨

Meet Anna, our Shelter Director who has been a part of Waypost for the past six years. Anna brings both compassion and lived experience to her role, making Waypost’s mission deeply personal. As a survivor, she understands the grief, barriers, and long journey of healing—and is passionate about ensuring others feel seen, supported, and never alone in those moments.

Anna is motivated by both the ongoing need in this work and the hope she sees every day. While there are still gaps in how we support survivors, she’s inspired by the progress being made and the many people in our community who are committed to doing better.

One of the things that stands out most to Anna is the trust within the community. Through strong partnerships and referrals, it’s clear that people know Waypost is a place where survivors will be supported and walked alongside with care and compassion.

A defining moment for Anna came early on, during her first check-in on her own. Despite feeling nervous and not having all the answers, simply showing up and being present for someone in need made a lasting impact. That experience helped her see her potential and continues to guide her work today.

Looking ahead, Anna is excited for the continued growth, collaboration, and positive changes happening at Waypost. With a dedicated and passionate team, she believes there’s so much more that can be accomplished together.

She also shares an important reminder: domestic violence and sexual assault impact every community. Many of us know someone affected, even if we don’t realize it. Creating change takes all of us—learning, listening, and working together to build safer, healthier environments.

Outside of work, Anna is a mom of three boys, loves tattoos, and enjoys alternative rock—especially anything loud enough to sing (or scream) along to. You’ll often find her downtown in the summer, enjoying events, shopping, and of course, a much-needed cup of coffee. ☕🎶

Thank you, Anna, for your leadership, compassion, and the difference you make every day! 💜

A few weeks ago, the Waypost staff had the privilege of attending the 7th annual MMIW event. We joined community members in Lake Andes for the awareness walk.

Walking together, sharing a meal, and listening to the stories of this community reminds us of the strength we have when we stand as one. Thank you to everyone who organized this beautiful, necessary event.

At Waypost, we believe that a strong community thrives when we support one another. 🤝

That’s why our staff was thrilled to participate in this past weekend's Color Run 5K in support of Yankton Area Arts ! It was a colorful, high-energy day dedicated to raising funds to keep art, music, and creativity alive and accessible in our community.

We love investing our time into organizations that enrich the Yankton area, and we’re already looking forward to the next community event! 💙

☀️ Suns out... rolls out? 🧻

We love summer as much as the next person, but there is one kind of "wipeout" we are trying to avoid here at Waypost.

Right now, our supply shelves are looking a little bare, and we have an urgent need for toilet paper donations. It’s not the most glamorous donation, we know, but it is one of the most essential daily comforts we provide to the survivors in our care.

Help us keep the rolls rolling this summer! Thank you for always standing with our community. 💚

✨ Employee Spotlight: Kim Wells ✨

Meet Kim, our Finance Director who has been part of Waypost for over six years. While her role focuses on the financial side of things, Kim’s passion for this work runs much deeper—she is driven by the power of education and prevention. She believes that when people understand the signs of unhealthy relationships and know where to turn for help, we can reduce harm not just for individuals, but for families and entire communities.

For Kim, Waypost’s mission is simple but powerful: helping kids have happy, healthy childhoods. That purpose shows up in both big and small moments—like when a child once referred to the visitation center as “Kim’s house,” a place where they felt safe, comfortable, and excited to spend time with their parent.

Over the years, Kim has seen meaningful change in the community, especially as more people begin to recognize that abuse isn’t just physical—it can take many forms. That growing awareness is a key step toward prevention and support.

Looking ahead, Kim is excited about stepping out of the shadows, breaking the mold, and continuing to move this work forward in new and impactful ways. She also shares an important reminder: domestic violence and sexual assault are public health issues that affect entire communities—and they are preventable.

Outside of work, Kim enjoys both coffee and hot tea depending on the day (never iced tea!), and she’s always up for a reality TV binge—whether it’s Love Is Blind, Survivor, or the latest Vanderpump Rules drama ( ). And her favorite place in our service area? Home sweet home. ☕📺

Thank you, Kim, for your dedication and the important role you play in supporting our mission every day! 💜

Mark your calendars! 📅 United Way's Day of Caring is returning on June 12 & 13.

This amazing community event connects volunteers with local non-profits for hands-on projects that create lasting, positive change. Whether you want to volunteer solo or build a team with your co-workers and family, there is a project out there for you.

Sign up today:
👉

Day of Caring | yanktonunitedway.org United Way of Greater Yankton is excited to host our annual Day of Caring on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 — and we want YOU to be part of it!

Let’s Talk About Supervised Exchanges!

When we think about supervised services, we often focus on the visit itself—but the exchange (the hand-off) is just as important for a child’s peace of mind!

Supervised exchanges (or monitored transfers) ensure that the beginning and end of a visit are stress-free for everyone involved. Here is how they make a difference:

1️⃣ Conflict Prevention: By managing the transfer, we ensure children never have to witness tension between the adults in their lives.

2️⃣ Staggered Arrival Times: Parents arrive and leave at different times, so they never cross paths. This keeps the focus entirely on the child’s transition.

3️⃣ Safe & Neutral Territory: No more stressful meetings in parking lots or driveways. Exchanges happen at professional location where safety is the standard.

4️⃣ Documentation: Trained staff keep an objective record of the exchange, ensuring everyone stays accountable and the process remains transparent.

5️⃣ Supporting Healthy Routines: Predictable, calm transitions help children feel emotionally secure, allowing them to move between households with confidence and ease.

Supervised exchanges aren't just about rules; they are about giving children a "conflict-free zone" so they can simply be kids.