Terresa Kohman, director of the HOPE Center in Dickinson County, will retire on Christmas Eve after 24 years of dedicated service. Kohman, who previously worked in retail, embraced the role of helping people in crisis and quickly realized the challenges it entailed. She reorganized the office and learned complex programs like the Representative Payee program, which manages finances for those unable to do so themselves. Kohman taught herself budgeting and streamlined processes to better serve clients.

Balancing empathy with firm boundaries was one of the hardest aspects of her job. She often encountered heartbreaking stories and difficult decisions, advising her successor to stay principled and compassionate without enabling dependency. Despite the challenges, Kohman found fulfillment in assisting those truly in need, which fueled her commitment for nearly a quarter of a century.

At 67, she plans to focus on personal projects, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and resilience at the HOPE Center.