Just this month I celebrated my 14th anniversary with the Ain Dah Yung Center- which brought with it a flood of memories and reflection. This month also marks the time that I announced my transition away from Ain Dah Yung Center to begin the next step of my professional journey.

I am very thankful that 14 years ago a team of people here recognized something in me as a new, eager, and passionate yet naïve new mental health professional and chose to take a chance on me. This opportunity all these years ago has truly changed my life both personally and professionally- and because of this ADYC will always be a part of me. 

I have quite literally grown up within the walls of ADYC- and it is here that I was welcomed into an organization and a community with an immense amount of patience and generosity. Because of ADYC, I have experienced the culture and traditions of the Native community. Through the stories, experiences, laughter, and tears I have been given the opportunity to see through a new lens and for that I am forever grateful.

I am very aware of the generosity that has been afforded me all these years and that I have heard and experienced things I would have otherwise not. I feel a great sense of gratitude for this- but a greater sense of responsibility to this knowledge. 

I want to say thank you to the community, my coworkers (past and present), every family who welcomed me into their home, to all the young people and their families who trusted us with your care, to the elders who have shared your knowledge and prayers, and to those who support ADYC in our mission.

If I have learned anything from my time at ADYC, it is to not say good-bye. So, this is thank you, I appreciate you, and see you all soon. 

Maricella Pacheco

Q: How long have you worked at ADYC?

A: 2+ years

Q: What is your role at ADYC?

A: Emergency Shelter Manager

Q: What is your "Why" for working at ADYC?

A: I love working at ADYC because I enjoy developing supportive relationships with youth in the community. Being apart of a young person’s journey and supporting them is so special!

Q: What is your favorite ice cream?

A: Strawberry Sorbet

Q: Describe the last thing that made you laugh at work.

A: This week, we put together Easter baskets for the youth in our program. We had fun while filling their baskets full of candies, toys, and eggs!

Celina Jubera

Q: How long have you worked at ADYC?

A: September will mark 5 years.

Q: What is your role at ADYC?

A: Youth Lodge & Outreach Program Manager

Q: What is your "Why" for working at ADYC?

A: I come from a strong community with a foundation built around the value of giving. My clan is Ajiijak Doodem (Crane Clan) - our role is leadership and teaching. You combine that with my passion and commitment to young people, it brings me to the promise of belief, belonging and becoming. I strive to create a space for youth to feel supported, that they belong, and they can be their true selves. I get to do all of this at Ain Dah Yung Center. 

Q: What is your favorite ice cream?

A: Ben and Jerry's Coffee, Coffee, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz.

Q: Describe the last thing that made you laugh at work.

A: Recently one of our residents made frybread during the Safe Harbor group and tasted it for the first time. He was so amazed and loved it. He had specific pieces of frybread that were "perfect" and staff couldn't eat them lol. It made my heart happy to see him engaged in the whole experience.

In 2021, Ain Dah Yung Center embarked on an exploration to audit our pay rates and scales for the organization, and what we found were inconsistency from varied hiring practices over the years. To increase transparency and live into our mission we knew we needed to do better for our team. With the help of our existing grant managers and the support of capacity building funds from Pohlad Family Foundation, on January 1^st our staff have received pay increases in alignment with the industry standards. ADYC has implemented a plan to provide needed salary increases across the organization, as well as developing a clear pay equity policy and new pay ranges for each of our positions.

Pay equity is one-way ADYC acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and expertise our team bring to the young people and families they serve by promoting self-care and a better work life balance. ADYC is pleased to announce that the minimum hourly rate for any worker in our organization is $19.50/hour- which is an annual salary of $40,560 for full time employees.

Miigwech, Pidamayaye, Pilamayaye (thank you) to Pohlad Foundation for their insight and support!

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