Desiree Johnson
Executive Director

Brad Link
Family Connections Coordinator
​

Desiree completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Before graduating she was given an opportunity to complete a service learning project at the
River City Domestic Violence Center "We Believe". It was during that time at River City that she discovered her career passion-protecting the rights of vulnerable people and helping victims of violence to heal. Desiree has been
with River City Domestic Violence Center since 2008.
Desiree was on the founding board of the Yankton Sexual Assault Response Team and has been influential in the development and implementation of the team-serving as the team's Coordinator/ President. She also serves as the
Vice Chair on the Executive Board for the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.
Desiree also serves her passion of helping others through her involvement as a Common Sense Parenting Instructor, Date Safe Facilitator and participation in the South Dakota Sexual Violence Task Force.

Brad grew up near Wagner, SD on a small family farm. He attended the University of South Dakota for Education and Communication Studies.  Before starting college in 2009 he started working for the Boys & Girls Club of the Missouri River Area in Wagner. This is where he found his passion for helping youth and youth development. He worked throughout college at the Boys & Girls Club in Yankton and decided to make Yankton his home in 2012. Over the years he has supported the mission of different nonprofit agencies in Yankton and became involved with the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes campaign. This event and the River City Domestic Violence Center/Family Connections mission has always been something very special in his life. In 2015, he joined the River City team as the Coordinator for Family Connections. He looks forward to working with the community to keep the children of Yankton safe and happy for many years to come.

Carly Manahan
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocate &  Coordinator

Originally from California, Carly grew up in Colorado. She moved to Yankton in 2013 to attend Mount Marty College. In 2015, she completed her service learning at River City Family Connections. She returned in the summer of 2016 to complete her internship at River City Domestic Violence Center "We Believe". Upon completion, she became a part-time advocate/events coordinator. In the spring of 2017, Carly became a full-time employee and graduated from MMC with a Bachelors degree in Human Services and minors in Psychology and Sociology. Although she has only lived in Yankton for a small part of her life, she is happy to call Yankton home.

Amy Haselhorst
​Family Connections
Child Advocate/Monitor
​Education Specialist

Amy grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School. Prior to her employment at RCFC Amy worked for 18 years with children and their families in both SD and NE as an occupational therapy assistant.  Amy began working at RCFC in February 2016.  Amy is proud to promote healthy and positive relationships while working with children and their families at RCFC.

Amanda Millage
Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Advocate

Cindy Anderson
Family Connections Child Advocate / Monitor

​Amanda graduated from Yankton High School in 2006. In 2006, she attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2010. After working on the adolescent admissions unit at the Human Services Center, she moved to Sioux Falls, where she worked as a Juvenile Diversion Case Manager. While in the position, she worked with at risk juveniles in the community. In 2014, she moved back to Yankton, returning to the adolescent admissions unit at the Human Services Center. In 2015, she graduated from Arizona State University with her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Since graduating with her undergraduate degree, her passion has been working with the at-risk population of South Dakota, which she hopes to continue through the River City Domestic Violence Center. 

Cindy grew in Stephan, SD and graduated from Highmore High School. Cindy attended Black Hills State then received her Masters in Special Education at USD. Prior to her employment at Family Connections, she has and continues to work as a special education teacher for over 30 years. Cindy believes in a positive & safe environment for families as she begins to work with families at Family Connections. We are excited to have Cindy as part of the RCFC team.

Hannah Horn
Family Connections Child Advocate / Monitor

Hannah is a 22 year-old Yankton native, and has joined the River City Family Connections this past month. Graduating from Yankton Senior high in 2013, Hannah had participated in softball, track, and volleyball while going to school, working in hospitality, and making time for friends and family. Hannah is now in her senior year of college, and finishing her double major in both psychology and anthropology. While completing her senior year she, along with working at RCFC, is also researching in both University departments and is a campus ambassador for study abroad. Hannah has recently returned from a year abroad in Australia and hopes to move to Berlin, Germany, next fall. After she finished her studies she hopes to pursue a career in research and information in policy development.