Caminando Juntos, sponsored by the Aberdeen Presentation Sisters, is a ministry with the Latino population in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. Inspired by the zeal of our foundress, Nano Nagle, and her deep love for those made poor, Caminando Juntos responds to the Gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger” and to work for justice. Our primary purpose is to help create a welcoming presence and respond to the needs of newer Latino immigrants as they seek to integrate into a new culture and make a home in area communities.
Caminando Juntos began in 2002 as a response to the rapidly increasing presence of Latino immigrants in eastern South Dakota. Over these past years, this ministry has welcomed and served thousands of Latinos.
Caminando Juntos is hiring in our Immigration Department
If you have experience in Immigration Law or are a DOJ accredited representative and interested in helping newly arrived Latino immigrants navigate the legal system, please CLICK HERE to learn more. For a full job description and an opportunity to apply, contact Matthew at mtschetter@midconetwork.com.
IN THE NEWS …
IN THE NEWS …
SDPB Interviews Caminando Juntos
We invite you to click on the link to watch/listen to the SDPB interview: Caminando Juntos provides service and community within Sioux Falls Latino population.
Caminando Juntos featured on Eye on KELOLAND
We invite you to click the link to watch/listen to this story: https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/walking-together-with-latino-migrants/
We are Celebrating 20 Years of Service!
One score, 20 years ago, a vision became a reality. Caminando Juntos (Walking Together) was born out of the light from the lantern that Nano Nagle carried over 247 years ago. On September 30, 2022, Caminando Juntos celebrated 20 years of joyful service with our Latino brothers and sisters in the Sioux Falls area. During these years, they have walked with Latino migrants with one purpose in mind, to be a welcoming presence. We invite you to watch these videos, featuring both our historical beginnings and our Open House Celebration.
Caminando Juntos
Through the Years
Caminando Juntos
Open House Celebration
Ministry in Action
The team at Caminando Juntos works to respond to the infinite needs and concerns of our Latino brothers and sisters, by reaching out to them daily and accompanying them in whatever way we can. The language of love heals. The language of love is the Body of Christ. Every day, the staff at Caminando Juntos serves our newly arrived Latino brothers and sisters, mirroring Christ’s love as they work to offer a welcoming presence to all providing acceptance, love and hope for each person’s journey.
Provide Immigration Legal Services
Sister Janet Horstman is passionate in her commitment to educate clients on their immigration legal options, counsel them on how best to proceed, and represent them through the process of filing their cases and obtaining the desired outcomes. Facilitating a client’s visa process and seeing families reunited after years of separation is a great joy. It is also a wonderful blessing to be present at a client’s naturalization ceremony and see them become fully participating members of our society. Sister Janet has been a Department of Justice Accredited Representative since 2006. In 2021 we responded to nearly 3,000 immigration calls and consultation requests and filed or represented nearly 200 clients in their immigration cases.
Immigration Facts
We invite you to read some immigration facts.
Reunify Unaccompanied Minors with Families
Caminando Juntos continues to assist families as they navigate the complex system of applying for sponsorship and locating their children in shelters on the border and across the country. Through our accompaniment, separated families are joyfully reunited and resettled into the community as one family unit. In 2021 we assisted approximately 20 families with this process.
Teach English to Adults
Three levels of daytime and evening classes are offered to Spanish-speaking adults, who are eager to learn English. Learning the language enables them to adapt more quickly to U.S. culture, secure employment, and participate more fully in the broader community. On average we have 125 students enrolled in our English Language Program.
Loomis Scholarship for Education and Advancement
The Latino Culture began its influence on the Loomis family (Donald in the Peace Corps and Diane as an exchange student) approximately 60 years ago in Chile. They had traveled in and through more than a dozen Spanish-speaking countries and worked at a multi-national school in Colombia for six years. Don and Diane Loomis recognized the value of education and service, especially to those who are marginalized or underprivileged due to their background, immigration status, or life circumstances. They started this scholarship fund with a desire to open doors for Latino immigrants, the people and culture who were near and dear to their hearts, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue an education or seek additional professional training.
Create Cultural Connections
Each year Caminando Juntos, with strong support from the business community and many other partners, sponsors the Cinco de Mayo festival at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. There, families and community members come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of the Latino cultures through food, music, family-friendly activities and more. Over 8,000 people come together each year to celebrate the Latino Cultures among us. We invite you to view our virtual Cinco De Mayo celebration for 2021 by viewing the links here – YouTube and Facebook page
Assist with Resources
Our Office and Resource Manager, Kathy Donis and Angelica Narez, Support Services, welcome people who come to our door daily. They help them complete a variety of forms and applications, connect them with basic resources and services, and most importantly, listen with their hearts to each person’s needs and situation so that they can respond compassionately. Caminando Juntos assists several thousand persons annually, for example:
- 1,200 Walk-in Visitors
- Over 11,000 Phone contacts
- 1,200 Referrals
- 580 Applications
- 2,500 varied translations
Ministry Needs / Ways to Get Involved
We seek partners to assist with funding for the following needs:
ESL Instruction
- Instructor stipends
- ESL workbooks and classroom materials
- Scholarship fund
Immigration Legal Services
- Updating legal resources
- Ongoing legal training
- Financial assistance for clients with special legal needs
- Citizenship application fees and preparation material
Volunteer Opportunities at Caminando Juntos:
For opportunities at the office, we do ask that volunteers be at least 18 years of age and are committed and passionate about working with the Latino population. Ability to communicate in Spanish is helpful. Volunteers are needed for English tutors (summer) or English teacher (fall / Tuesday and Thursday evenings), computer instructors, computer lab assistant, conversation class facilitator (Saturday mornings), educational workshop presenter, front desk receptionist (summer), classroom teaching assistant, language and citizenship lab tutor, book club facilitator and children’s story time facilitator. If you have extra time to give and interested in learning more about any of the above opportunities, please email April Ross: aross@midconetwork.com
If you have extra time to give and interested in learning more about our Cinco de Mayo Fiesta volunteer opportunities, please email Jen Rothenbuehler: jrothenbuehler@presentationsisters.org
Presentation People in Ministry
Sister Janet Horstman, Department of Justice Accredited Representative
Sister Janet is one of the founding sisters of the ministry, serving in her role since 2002. She provides competent, professional, and affordable immigration legal services for Latinos residing in the Sioux Falls area. She is the only bilingual DOJ Accredited Representative in South Dakota and assists with citizenship, work authorization, petitions for family visas, DACA, permanent residence and more. She also provides legal consultations on a variety of other immigration issues. She actively participates in efforts to support and improve the lives of immigrants and refugees and advocates for just and humane immigration laws and policies. Sister Janet also attends regular professional development trainings and webinars to stay abreast of rapidly-changing immigration policies. She may be reached at cjmin@midconetwork.com. To read more about Sister Janet, please CLICK HERE.
April Ross, Educational Coordinator
April joined the ministry in 2018, after teaching Spanish in the Sioux Falls School District for 15 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies and has traveled extensively in Latin America, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. April oversees the educational program of the ministry, including tutoring students and teaching English classes, such as; workplace English courses in local businesses, computer literacy classes, and educational workshops. In addition, she also recruits and trains volunteers and manages the Don and Diane Loomis Scholarship Fund. April enjoys spending time with her two children. She may be reached at aross@midconetwork.com.
Wendy Fregoso, Resource and Office Manager
Wendy grew up in the Siouxland area. She joined the team in 2024 as a member of the front desk staff, who welcome migrants to the ministry. She assists clients with basic needs such as accessing healthcare resources, assisting clients by connecting them to resources in order to pay their medical bills, finding employment and community resources, filling out applications, and accessing other basic necessities. Wendy has a heart to help others and is fully bilingual. She enjoys volunteering in the community and prior to joining the team, was a volunteer teacher’s assistant for daytime English classes at Caminando Juntos. She also enjoys practicing art through painting and interior design. Wendy can be reached at wfregoso@midconetwork.com.
Allison Moran, Support Services Specialist
Allison was born in El Salvador and has spent more than a decade living in Sioux Falls. She joined the ministry in 2024 as a member of the front desk staff. She will assist Latino clients in finding community resources, scheduling appointments, filling out applications, and accessing other basic needs. She joined the Caminando Juntos ministry because she enjoys helping others, particularly members of the Latino community, with a smile and a servant’s heart. She is fully bilingual. She is a Brandon Valley High School graduate who likes to explore local hiking trails, try new cuisines, and embark on spontaneous road trips. She can be reached at amoran@midconetwork.com.
Matthew Tschetter, Executive Director
Matthew Tschetter joined the Ministry in 2022, upon returning to South Dakota. He holds 2 Masters degrees in Peace and Justice Studies and in Community and International Development; as well as degrees in Organizational Leadership and Christian Ministries/Youth Ministries and Bible. Born in Colombia, South America and raised in eastern South Dakota, he has since lived and worked in various Latin American countries and is bilingual. He comes to the ministry with extensive religious nonprofit board governance and leadership experience. His passion and calling are clear, to joyfully serve and work for justice. He enjoys spending time reading, photography and being with his wife and family. He may be reached at mtschetter@midconetwork.com
