Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission 2009 Humanitarian Award Recipient

The Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission is pleased to announce that Theresa Kashale is the recipient of this year's Humanitarian Award. Ms. Kashale was selected from a total of 14 very deserving nominees and was announced as this year's recipient on Tuesday evening (September 22) at a reception and awards ceremony held at the Historic Orpheum Theater Center.

Theresa and her five children came to the United States as political refugees from the Congo speaking little English. Theresa arrived in Sioux Falls with a determination to make a better life for her family and to make a difference in her new community. She learned English, enrolled in college, and graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a degree in education. She is now a teacher with the Sioux Falls School District and an advocate, resource, and role model for the refugee and immigrant community in Sioux Falls. She spends much of her free time helping the police, court system, school administrators, teachers, and parents understand the cultural changes that our new neighbors are facing, while at the same time, helping refugees and immigrants in our community acclimate to their new home. She has helped many of our new neighbors become established in schools, churches, and homes in Sioux Falls.

While providing all of this service to our community, Theresa has not forgotten her native country. She has established an orphanage in the Congo, taking ten girls off the streets and providing them with a home. She raises funds to support the work of the orphanage she established, returning to the Congo once each year to meet with her workers and her girls. Theresa Kashale gives tirelessly of herself to help others and does so with a sense of humility and generosity.

The Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission annually seeks nominees for the Humanitarian Award. Nominees are people who work tirelessly for the equality and welfare of others and have contributed to the growth and development of opportunity for all citizens of our community.

The Humanitarian Award process begins each year with a public call for nominations followed by the awards presentation and reception.