2026 April Volunteer of the Month - Tracey Grotenhuis

April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe, stable, and nurturing environments for every child. It is also a time to recognize those who step forward to advocate for children who need a voice.

At United Way of Greater Yankton, we believe strong communities are built when people show up for one another, especially for those who are most vulnerable. This month, we are proud to recognize a volunteer whose compassion and commitment are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community: Tracey Grotenhuis!

Nominated by Rylee Hinz, Southeast CASA’s Volunteer Development Manager, Tracey was recognized for her steady presence and deep commitment to the children she serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with Southeast CASA. Since becoming an advocate in November of 2021, she has served on five cases and advocated for six children, volunteering approximately 90 hours along the way.

As Rylee shared, “Tracey has made a meaningful impact on our organization through her dedication, compassion, and steady presence. She consistently shows up with a thoughtful approach and a willingness to support both staff and those we serve.”

In a system that can often feel overwhelming, having someone who listens, advocates, and shows up consistently can make all the difference. Tracey’s impact extends beyond the children she serves—her compassion and care inspire those around her and strengthen the entire network of support for families in our community.

We asked Tracey to share more about her volunteer journey and what service means to her:

I have lived here in the Greater Yankton area since: I have lived in Yankton since 2000. Both sets of my grandparents lived in Yankton and my parents both went to school in Yankton, so I grew up spending most holidays here. Before becoming my home, Yankton has always been a second home to me.

I began volunteering: I began volunteering for Special Olympics through my first job at Mount Marty University.

I volunteer at: CASA as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Big Friend/Little Friend as a Mentor, and Meals on Wheels as a Driver.

Approximate hours per year that I volunteer: I would guess around 150 hours.

Volunteer work is enjoyable because: Volunteer work is enjoyable to me as it provides a deep sense of purpose and a feeling of reward when giving back to those who may be vulnerable and in a difficult situation in their life. I enjoy using my time and voice to advocate for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves and be a positive presence in their lives.

My best volunteer experience was: My best volunteer experience was working with a child several years ago that was going through a difficult period in their life and then seeing them recently all grown up and involved in an extracurricular activity at school, looking happy and healthy.

The advice I would give to those thinking about getting out there and volunteering in their communities is: My advice is there are so many incredible organizations in our community supporting those who need it most. Find one that speaks to your heart and take that first step!

Thank you, Tracey, for your compassion, advocacy, and dedication to making Greater Yankton a safer and more supportive place for children and families!

To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email volunteer@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.