The Treser family: Nate, Korinne, James, Greta, Karl and Clara with their dog Sadie. Nate, 7, is at the Center with Greta and helps play with the little kids. He and his sisters also help with the laundry.
SEELEY LAKE – Sparrow's Vine Parenting and Pregnancy Resource Center welcomed new Executive Director Greta Treser this past February. Treser hopes that, with Sparrow's Vine, she will be able to help families grow stronger and enjoy being together through fostering healthy relationships.
Treser has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 20 years. Treser's husband James pastored a church in Whitehall for 13 years. As a pastor's wife, Treser helped with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and youth group. The Tresers also coached soccer and took kids on outdoor adventures including rock climbing and canoeing.
"I just spent a lot of time with kids," said Treser.
During the time when the Treser family was looking to relocate, Treser said their children attended Camp Utmost in Greenough, James filled in at Seeley Lake Baptist Church and they came through the area to go to Glacier.
"We continually found ourselves coming through here so we just finally were like, let's go see what Seeley is about," said Treser. They officially moved to the area in June 2016.
When the executive director position opened at Sparrow's Vine this past winter, a board member for Sparrow's Vine asked Treser to apply. She started Feb. 4.
Treser hopes that she can help Sparrow's Vine continue to grow. Sparrow's Vine was started with giving hope to people in need of hope - to be an encouragement and strength and an ever-present help.
Treser said Sparrow's Vine is about being there for a woman in a crisis pregnancy situation as well as merely being a mentor by using classes and instruction to come along side those who desire to know more about parenting and homemaking skills. The Earn While You Learn classes give the clients the opportunity to get needed items for themselves or children by earning bucks each time they come into the Center.
"I love being a parent and spending time with other moms and their children," said Treser. "I haven't had any special training but I am eager to help and listen."
Treser started a Story Time on Mondays from 3-4 p.m. Story time includes a snack and activity. The activities are designed to be fun for the children and something families can take home and do on their own.
Sparrow's Vine offers classes for couples or groups of friends that want to learn together. These digital classes include pregnancy, parenting through age 18, finances, menu planning, shopping or cleaning the home.
Throughout the summer Treser hopes to coordinate more family activities within the community to promote "good clean fun." She also looks forward to trying to engage more fathers with the Center and the resources it offers.
"Fathers have a more important role than moms in different ways," said Treser. "This is a really easy place to be and is a helpful resource to make things better and easier on you."
Sparrow's Vine depends solely on donations – all services are free to clients. They are part of the Change Your Pace Challenge with the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and will be hosting a concert by Christian musician Jason Gray Oct. 3 in Seeley Lake. They will also be holding a donation only parking lot sale June 1 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. including many items from their boutique.
"This is a place with no judgment, we just want to help you keep the baby, working with you during and after the pregnancy and as long as you need it," said Treser. "The people on the board really have a love for family and youth and are committed to making that happen."
Sparrow's Vine is open Mondays and Thursdays from 12 – 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, message Sparrow's Vine on Facebook or call 677-1900 to make an appointment.
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