Sparrow's Vine Welcomes New Executive Director

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake resident Tera Wold is the new Executive Director of Sparrow's Vine Pregnancy Resource Center. Wold looks forward to bringing her compassion and enthusiasm to help others and be a mentor to clients by establishing a relationship with them.

Wold's husband Jason was the auctioneer at the Sparrow's Vine fundraiser last September. Wold said she goes with her husband 99 percent of the time when he holds auctions but was not planning on it that day.

"Something told me to get up and go," said Wold. "It was hard because I wasn't feeling up for it."

While at the banquet she learned more about Sparrow's Vine, their mission and what they provide to the community.

"As I was sitting there, I thought these ladies are doing some pretty amazing things. I knew that deep down in my heart I just had to be involved," said Wold.

After the event, she approached Sparrow's Vine Board President Jama Mauldin to volunteer.

"After hearing her amazing story and talking about her passion for mothers and babies, the board approached her to see what her interest level would be in being our executive director," wrote Mauldin in an email.

The Wolds have been trying to start their own family.

"That in itself has been a struggle. I can relate [on some level] to being in a situation that is hard," said Wold.

This year, her husband asked if they could take the year off from fertility treatments. While Wold did not like the idea, she knew it was tough for him to even ask her and respected him as the decision maker for their family. She agreed.

"Not even a couple days later I got the job so a window opened up for me. I knew this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. Not only will I be helping men and women, they will also provide a lot for me and help me with my walk," said Wold.

Wold has worked with young women in abstinence programs at a church in Frenchtown, Mont. She enjoyed helping them and said she learned a lot about herself as well.

"I feel like I can bring that experience with me," said Wold who may pursue a counseling degree in the future.

Wold has also been heavily involved in fundraising in the past from the Boy Scouts to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and auctions with her family.

"Sparrow's Vine runs solely on donations so that is a really important part," said Wold.

Sparrow's Vine is a pregnancy resource center in Seeley Lake. While it is faith-based, it is not affiliated with a particular church.

Wold said the programming will remain similar to what has been offered in the past. There are curriculums in the Earn While You Learn Program for pregnancy; general parenting and parenting toddlers; life skills and practical fatherhood. Clients watch a DVD, have discussion and do homework and then earn Mommy and Daddy Bucks that can be spent in the boutique on clothing, toys and other baby essentials.

"The whole point of the program is a hand up not a hand out," said Wold. "I want them to feel like they have earned it and have a sense of pride."

Wold is looking forward to reestablishing the Building Blocks program this spring. She described it as a play date for parents and their child with fun, engaging activities and opportunities for social interaction.

Wold is also hoping to bring in a new curriculum for special circumstances including fetal alcohol and other drug related issues and miscarriages.

"It's hard to talk about those things," said Wold who said she wants to be the person someone can feel open to talk with. If she felt a client was beyond her ability to mentor, she has the ability to refer them to professional counseling services.

"That is not a gray area and I will send them exactly where they need to be and continue to be there for them," said Wold.

Another goal Wold has for Sparrow's Vine is raising the bar for fundraising so they can provide more for their clients and having a bigger presence in the community.

Sparrow's Vine is hosting their fourth annual Ladies Tea at the Double Arrow Lodge Feb. 4 from 1-3 p.m. Attendees will enjoy soup, salad and dessert for lunch. Seeley Lake resident Karen Johnson will be the guest speaker. She will be sharing her son's adoption story. Wold will also speak and share her story about how she came to Sparrow's Vine. Reservations are preferred. Please call 677-1900.

Their annual banquet will be held Oct. 12. The theme is "Be Our Guest." The guest speaker is an artist from Walt Disney who was born without legs. It will focus on overcoming obstacles.

"[Tera's] heart and skill set is perfect for the direction of growing our program and reaching the families in our community! The board is very excited to have her and we know she will serve our clients with passion and integrity," wrote Mauldin.

When Wold is not working she enjoys supporting her husband and spending time with her family specifically her nieces, nephews and Godson. She also makes upcycled bullet jewelry with her business Loaded Grace.

Sparrow's Vine is open Tuesday – Thursday from 12-5 p.m. They accept monetary donations and gently used items including clothing, toys, high chairs, strollers and books. They can be reached by calling 677-1900 or find them on Facebook. They are also listed in the Pathfinder's Professional and Health Directory.