By Janelle Cheney

In the Field we often comment about how thick a client's file is... well, Agent Rick Young's was comparably large - with accolades!

Rick joined Field Services in 1992, reaching Career Agent status in 2001. He received three Achievement Awards between 1996 and 2001. Rick was known for is dedication to providing an Internship opportunity throughout his career and speaking at Criminal Justice Classes, Dare graduations and Elementary Career Days.

Comments found in his file consistently offered, "Flawless Case Audit" and "Best writing skills of anyone in the District!" He received many letters and notes from families and previous clients thanking him for his approach and for helping them through very difficult times. Rick cared about the communities he served, and about Minnesota.

Rick's absence will be felt by many across the State. He was highly efficient in keeping all of us "in the know" of where our clients were and what they were doing. Many L.E. agencies will sense his absence as well as he often connected the dots between Field Services and L.E. in respect to safety and accountability.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, CAREER AGENT, RICK YOUNG!

Career Agent Rick Young

An anonymous person wrote in to thank Jason Kilanowski for his work and example. They wrote:

Jason “The Mason" Kilanowski has been a great resource for DOC career technical teachers statewide. His thoughtful insight on complicated credentialing conversations is always welcomed and respected. Jason practices what he preaches, and is always hard-working. He leads by example. These attributes allowed him to forge strong relationships with his advisory committee and the community, leading to an unequalled employment rate for his students as they re-enter society. Thank you for your dedication to the community we serve!

Thank you to the anonymous sender - Jason will sure be missed when he retires in May!

By Sgt. Dave Hergott

Within the past year, Shakopee Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) participants have formed a rewarding partnership with a local nonprofit business located in Shakopee called Allyhoo.

Ally Doucette created this nonprofit when she was 15 years old after being a patient at Children’s Hospital. Ally came face to face with other sick kids and wanted to provide them comfort, hope and a diversion from the pain. She used her sewing machine to create a pair of identical stuffed animals. Her first creation was an owl! For every order received, one stuffed animal goes to the customer and an identical twin is donated to a patient at Children’s Hospital in the donor’s name.

CIP participants volunteer at Allyhoo 3-4 times per month. First, they select the stuffed animal pattern that they want to create. There are currently over 10 different stuffed animals to choose from, including Puppies, Cats, Bears, Bunnies and Chipmunks. Next, they select the different kinds of material to use. The last step is cutting all of the pieces out so the animal can be sewn together and stuffed by Allyhoo staff.

Shakopee CIP participants enjoy spending time at Allyhoo knowing that they are providing hope and happiness to sick children. For more information visit Allyhoo.com.

From Left to Right: Ijada Rudd, Sheryl Proch, Julie Jackson, Catherine Beckman, Adrianna Arroyo, Lyndsey Bender, Shannon McMurtry, Alexis Billing, Shirley Dunn and Paige Peterson.

By Ian Heaslip

Officer Pete Gentry recently retired from MCF-Moose Lake with over 23 years of service with the Department of Corrections. Pete spent his entire career at Moose Lake, serving on all three watches and in many posts--however, most of his time was on Squad as an A-Team Responder for 2nd Watch. His words of advice are to, "Listen to what everyone has to say, but at the same time, make your own decisions. When you make a decision, follow through with it timely, as people’s safety often times depend on it."

Thank you for your many years of service, Pete!

Pete Gentry

By Marisol Ortega

Congratulations to Sam Iten in his promotion to Sergeant! Sgt. Iten has been with the department for 12 years. He is a current member of the SORT team since 2014 and instructs Batons for the SORT team here at St. Cloud. He is also a member of the uniform committee and took the position of Utility Sgt on 3rd watch where he works in many different positions with a myriad of staff. Sgt. Iten is happy to advance his career within the DOC and to be in a position of leadership.

Capt. K. Krippner, Sgt. S. Iten and Lt. M. Poppen

Capt. K. Krippner, Sgt. S. Iten and Lt. M. Poppen

By Melissa Paquette

Congratulations to Safety Administrator Greg Heldt and Lt. Tony Sunde for being selected to serve on the Agency's Incident Management Team (IMT). The team consists of individuals from a wide variety of disciplines who work in support of planned & unplanned agency activities. Once selected, team members commit to serving a three year term. Congratulations!

Safety Administrator Heldt & Lt. Sunde

By Latoya Shelby

Please welcome MCF-Lino Lakes' newest academy that graduated on April 11, 2023.

L to R: AWA Vicki Janssen, Captain Eric Knies, TDS Leah Hansen, Lt. Shannon Crittenden, AWO Mary McComb, COI Kelly Justin, OAS-I Linzy Meyer, Painter Thomas Olson, RN Traci McNamara, Captain John Kelly & OSI Investigator Matt Swanson

By Marisol Ortega

SCL is proud to congratulate this month's graduating academy.

Corrections Officers: Justin Peterson, Tyler Hanratty, Wesper Sieh, Janice Shorts and Katie Stossel.

Corrections Program Therapist: Tara Katchmark and Ned Scheider.

Office & Administrative Specialist: Lorene Binsfeld.

By Kyle Prall

Congratulations to Danielle Kimmes on her promotion to Sergeant!

Sergeant Kimmes has been with the department for over 5 years and has taken it upon herself to go above and beyond to get involved in various different aspects of the facility, and the department as a whole. Sergeant Kimmes is actively involved in CISM, CIT, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, Self Defense/Control Tactics, and is an operator for the Special Operations Response Team. Her dedication and commitment is going to be a great asset to the Sergeant ranks.

Congratulations, Sergeant Kimmes!

L to R: Sgt. Danielle Kimmes, Lt. Kyle Prall

By Deb Anderson

Shout out to the staff in the St. Cloud District! The St. Cloud District has been experiencing staff shortages (sometimes more than one in an office) for the past 6 months and these amazing people have stepped up to cover vacant caseloads while managing their own. In addition, they have been participating in projects, mentoring new staff and providing training to other DOC staff. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for their dedication to the district, clients, and stakeholders.

Thank you for all the extra work!!!