Brandi Tonkel is recognized as an 'Extra Mile Hero' by Mayor Allender and the City Council. Pictured from left: Tanya Fritz of the Children's Home Society, Tronkel and Mayor Steve Allender.
(City Photo)
At the Monday, November 21 City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Allender presented a proclamation declaring it as Brandi Tonkel Day in Rapid City. The proclamation recognizes Tonkel's exemplary work as a forensic interviewer for the Children's Home Child Advocacy Center for the past five years.
The proclamation states for the past five years, Tonkel "has given voice to over 1,100 children, most referred for possible sexual assault. With grace and tenacity, Brandi works with community partners toward the most successful outcome for the child."
She has been nationally trained to interview children in a non-leading, non-suggestive, child-friendly manner, gathering all of the necessary information with the goal of reducing a child's trauma to repeated interviews.
She pushes herself and strengthens the program, cited the proclamation. She interviews for the FBI and advocated to provide direct services to families. Today, she travels to the Four Directions Clinic in Kyle twice a month to conduct interviews. She also provides trainings on recognizing and responding to child sexual abuse, with the goal of decreasing incidents of abuse, responding effectively when it does occur, easing the trauma for the child and reducing the chance of further occurrences.
Tonkel answers questions, helps to coordinate investigations, serves as an empathetic ear and takes phone calls outside of her typical work schedule.
She is definitely an 'Extra Mile Hero'.
Tanya Fritz of the Children's Home Society said Brandi "stands up for all the children in our community."
Recognized as an 'Extra Mile Hero' for making a difference in the community, Brandi told the Council audience she is very thankful to get to do what she loves to do and said "the children are the real heroes".