April 20, 2021

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kobi Ringling, shelter program supervisor at Children’s Inn.

Name: Kobi Ringling

Age: 32

Hometown: Platte

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Internship during my last semester at SDSU.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The city. Sioux Falls has the big-city amenities with the small-town friendly feeling. I also absolutely love my job!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

We are driven by our mission and work to better others – both employees and clients. We strive every day to bring hope back to those that have lost it and empower them to believe in more for themselves and their family. It’s a powerful thing to be part of that. I also love leading others and being part of developing a better tomorrow. When we invest in our employees, they can feel equipped in their positions to provide the best trauma-informed care to our clients.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I originally went to SDSU for nursing. After my first month in chemistry during my first semester, I knew that wasn’t my calling but helping others still was. My adviser at the time helped me see sociology/human services was a better fit for me. Then, my internship at Children’s Inn was a huge eye-opening experience for me because I grew up in a small town where domestic violence or child abuse and neglect weren’t discussed. To see how prevalent domestic violence was in Sioux Falls was a culture shock. After interning for three months, I knew I couldn’t do any other work, so I officially joined Children’s Inn after graduating.

Describe working at Children’s Inn in three words.

Innovative. Collaborative. Inclusive.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I married the boy I started dating when I was only 13 years old. Growing up in a small town, everyone knows everyone, so my parents allowing me to date my now husband was not surprising since our fathers had been friends since before they were married themselves. I grew up on a farm and didn’t have my driver’s license yet, so my parents had to bring me to the town baseball games to meet him. On our third date, he came to pick me up to see the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” at Armour’s movie theater. I like to joke that I only dated him for transportation, but after nearly 20 years together and two children, it was just part of God’s plan.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Collaborating with the many human services agencies in Sioux Falls for our clients and collectively working toward providing a safe future for those that don’t know what their next day holds. It’s a remarkable sight to witness an adult and their children move out of a shelter into their own safe, permanent housing. We wouldn’t be able to provide that without the work of many in our community.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Ikea. When I’m not working, I love refreshing and updating our home!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In a new Children’s Inn building! I also hope to make an impact in Sioux Falls by continuing to serve the community I love in whatever way needed.