East River Legal Services

10/21/2026

Halloween is coming up soon, and ERLS wanted to share some upcoming events.

For more, go to https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/articles/get-ready-for-halloween-with-these-upcoming-events 🎃👻

10/20/2026

ERLS is asking for your help during National Pro Bono month! If you are an attorney in South Dakota, please consider taking a case pro bono. You may find current pro bono opportunities listed on our website or at https://app.joinpaladin.com/east-river-legal-services/opportunities/.

10/18/2026

Our Senior Advocate, Allison, is celebrating 5 years at ERLS. Allison is a dedicated staff and a wonderful coworker, "the party maker", who is always planning something for the staff and looking for a reason to celebrate.

Your contributions make a difference, and we appreciate everything you do!

Allison is part of our organizations Wellness Committee and the Minnehaha County Violence Council.

In her free time, Allison likes spending time with her family and her furry baby, Jamie (ERLS Emotional Support Dog). She loves to watch shows, and is a big fan of the Yellowstone saga, Horror, and Marvel. Allison enjoys decorating for all the holidays and her favorite is Halloween.

Congratulations Allison! 🌟 👏

10/18/2026

Our Director of Operations, Melissa, is celebrating 5 years at ERLS. Melissa is a dedicated supervisor and a great coworker. Melissa cares about her staff and spoils them with her details. Always trying to make our office space prettier and more comfortable for our enjoyment.

Your contributions make a difference, and we appreciate everything you do!

Melissa is part of our organizations Wellness Committee and Leadership Team.

In her free time, Melissa likes spending time with her family and buying things for her niece and nephew; spoiling them and the people that she loves is her passion.

Congratulations Melissa! 🌟 👏

10/16/2026

💜Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2026💜

Now, more than ever, it feels critical to meet our current moment with action and to affirm where we stand. We stand with survivors:

💜When violence is minimized.
💜When resources are scarce.
💜When systems fail.
💜When hope feels hard.
💜When action is needed.

We stand with survivors, ALWAYS!
How will you take action this DVAM? Comment in the chat!

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

10/15/2026

No weekend plans? Please consider joining our partner agency Health Connect of South Dakota THIS SATURDAY, October 17th, from 11am to 3pm at the Health Connect Festival. There will be multiple vendors, good info, entertainment and a Halloween costume parade! 🎃👻

🧡 FREE Family Event 🧡

¿No tienes planes para el fin de semana? ¡Considere unirse a nuestra agencia asociada Health Connect of South Dakota para el Festival conectando con la Salud. Este, SABADO, de, 11am hasta las 3pm. ¡Muchos vendedores, buena información, entretenimiento y una parada de disfraces! 👻🎃

🧡 Evento gratis para toda la familia 🧡

10/13/2026

Today ERLS thoughts are with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's office. Our deepest condolences to Deputy Katherine Frank family, friends and law enforcement family.

Rest in peace officer Frank and Thank you for your service 🙏

Passing of Deputy Katherine Frank -

The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office announces with profound sadness the passing of Deputy Katherine Frank, age 26, earlier today. Deputy Frank was surrounded by her family and loved ones in her final moments. In her final act of service and generosity, she became an organ donor, continuing to help others even in her passing. Katherine worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary from September 2022 until being hired with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in June 2024.

Deputy Frank’s death is a significant loss to our agency and to the broader law enforcement community in and around Sioux Falls. She served the citizens of Minnehaha County with professionalism, humility, and dedication. Her absence will be felt deeply by all who have had the privilege of working alongside her.

A memorial has been established at the Law Enforcement Center located at 320 W. 4th St., Sioux Falls, SD, for those who wish to pay their respects. The Sheriff’s Office will also continue maintaining a presence at the hospital as we support her family during this difficult time.
Further information regarding funeral services, honors, and departmental arrangements will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Deputy Frank served with dignity and heart. Her service made a meaningful difference, and her impact will remain with us always.

10/12/2026

Today is Indigenous people day, South Dakota is home to 9 tribes and ERLS wants to acknowledge and share quotes from leaders to honor this day.

Our office is closed in observance, to apply for services go to the link in our bio or https://sdlawhelp.org/apply-for-help/

10/10/2026

Our Paralegal, Kristina, is celebrating 3 years at ERLS. Kristina is a dedicated staff and greater coworker, always caring for and spoiling her team with homemade treats like her delicious sourdough bread.

Her contributions make a difference, and we appreciate everything she does for ERLS!

Kristina is part of our organizations Wellness Committee and the Minnehaha County Family Violence Council.

In her free time, Kristina likes spending time with her kids and grandkids, going camping, and baking. She does most of her baking from scratch using her moms and grandma's recipes.

Congratulations, Kristina! 👏 🌟

10/09/2026

Our office will be closed next Monday, to apply for services go to the link in our bio and click the 'Apply for Services' button on the top right, or go to https://sdlawhelp.org/apply-for-help/