updated May 15, 2025
This annual award honors ADVOCAP’s first Executive Director, Rosalie Tryon Barber, who was appointed in 1965. Her leadership laid the foundation for ADVOCAP’s mission to help individuals overcome poverty. The award recognizes individuals who, with ADVOCAP’s support, have achieved economic stability and now give back by helping others do the same.
Mindi Multhauf was nominated for the Rosalie Tryon Barber Self-Sufficiency Award in recognition of her perseverance, resilience, and dedication to her family and community. As a participant of multiple ADVOCAP programs, her journey highlights a strong commitment to self-sufficiency despite significant challenges.
At 17, Mindi was expelled from high school for living independently as a minor, despite being on track to graduate early. Undeterred, she earned her High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) through ADVOCAP. She later became a young mother of three, relying on ADVOCAP services for weatherization, job support, and Head Start education — including early intervention for her son Ethan’s developmental challenges.
Financial stress, along with other stressors, led to the dissolution of her first marriage after the birth of her fourth child. Despite these challenges, Mindi persevered, stating she wanted to become self-sufficient and had a strong desire to break the cycle, as she didn’t want her kids to struggle. Mindi met her now-husband of ten years, Matt, who embraced her children as his own. The family moved to Hartford, where they are now homeowners. Mindi launched Sweet Ginger’s Sugar Shop, an in-home bakery inspired by her son’s nut allergy. At its peak, the business catered over 150 weddings and countless other events, and remains thriving today. She and Matt also founded Cheer Emotion, a pop-up store selling uplifting merchandise, which received positive feedback from the Wisconsin Association of Cheer and Pom Coaches.
Mindi’s children, Ethan (19), Hannah (17), Kylie (15), and Leah (14), are all doing great and thriving. Ethan graduated high school with honors, defying early counseling predictions. Kylie recently achieved her long-held goal of joining the police cadet program and was named Rookie of the Year.
Mindi’s family is also engaged in the community. Mindi founded and coached a cheer team when no local programs were available, ensuring everyone had a chance to participate. Today, around half of the high school cheerleaders went through her program. Additionally, the family has welcomed a foreign exchange student from Spain for the school year.
Though Mindi has long since transitioned from ADVOCAP’s programs, the lasting impact is evident. Her resilience and dedication to her community make her highly deserving of this award.
