Looking to the Future: Emily Ostercamp

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We are thrilled to introduce Emily Ostercamp, our new Program Manager for Southwest Minnesota.

Emily previously worked with Rebuilding Together Minnesota on the programs team during her Americorps appointment, and we’re so excited to welcome her back. After finishing her appointment, Emily relocated to North Carolina and managed similar programming in the community of Wilmington. She’s since returned home to Southwest Minnesota, purchasing property in Jackson County.

After several years of progressive experience in managing programs, direct client support, project management, and volunteer support, we are excited to bring Emily’s expertise to our growing work in the Southwest area. You’ll see her around at local community events, networking with partners, and serving the needs across the five-county region.

We are confident that Emily will make significant contributions to our team, and we look forward to continuing to expand our service of Southwest Minnesotans with the no-cost modifications and critical repairs they deserve! Emily’s unique skills and enthusiasm for community service are a perfect match for our organization’s vision to keep more families in the homes and communities they love.

Welcome back to the team, Emily!

Galen Kauffman’s Retirement: Celebrating a Legacy of Service

Rebuilding Together Staff

It’s with both gratitude and admiration that we announce the retirement of Galen Kauffman from his role with Rebuilding Together Minnesota.

As a cherished member of the community and an integral part of our organization, Galen has profoundly impacted the lives of low-income homeowners across Southwest Minnesota through his dedication and unwavering commitment to safe and stable housing. His passion for service and community-building has set a remarkable example, fostering a spirit of cooperation that continues to inspire us all.

We are committed to carrying forward the values and dedication that Galen has embodied, ensuring that this legacy of compassion and community support endures for years to come. His contributions will always be a guiding light in our continued efforts to enrich the lives of those we serve.

We extend our deepest thanks to Galen for his years of service and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Welcome to Ramp Coordinator Elise Sjogren

Please join us in welcoming Elise Sjogren to the Rebuilding Together Team!  Elise works with our Program Manager to plan and oversee ramp projects, including previewing projects, developing the scopes of work, determining volunteer and contracted labor needs, supervising volunteers, and working to ensure that ramp projects are completed within budget and time constraints.

Elise attended Augsburg College and the University of New Hampshire. She has more than five years of experience working in the mental health and public education spaces.  She also volunteered for our organization for many years prior to joining our team.

Elise enjoys spending time outside, especially fishing. She also loves spending time with her family.

We are excited to have Elise join our team!

Meet New Development Director Kim Peterson

We are thrilled to announce that Kim Peterson has joined our team as the Development Director! In this role, Kim is responsible for cultivating individual donors and sponsors, which includes planning and overseeing events and identifying new strategies to raise money.

With experiences in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Kim (she/her) develops big ideas and achieves ambitious goals through community-centered innovation. She is a skilled relationship manager energized by change and potential and is adept at developing long-term strategies, facilitating initiatives, and co-creating collaborative solutions. Drawing on her experiences as a performance artist, event producer, and community builder, Kim brings a focus on crafting engaging experiences that build authentic connections through the lens of justice and equity. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Texas Woman’s University, with her research focused on structural models for the funding of performing arts nonprofits.

Please join us in welcoming Kim to the Rebuilding Together Minnesota Team!