MOUNT VERNON — After 10 years of championing life, Diana Wetzel is retiring from Starting Point, Knox County’s free pregnancy resource center. Her last day in the office is today, Nov. 3.
Wetzel joined Starting Point in November 2014 as client services director. Four years later, in November 2018, she became executive director.
The nonprofit had just completed a two-year process of expanding its ministry, remodeling the building at 11 Woodlake Trail, and hiring new development and client services directors. Wetzel said her goal was simple: Give the team time to settle in.
“However, between needing to replace a damaged commercial roof and responding to the massive COVID-19 emergency, I didn’t have much of a ‘honeymoon’ period in 2019 to 2020!” she said via email.
As many other organizations did, Starting Point responded to COVID by revamping its operations. For example, the annual banquet went from a mass gathering to a small, in-person dessert event with a recorded program. Starting Point shared the program with churches and donors, who then hosted small, virtual banquets.
“Once the board and I reformatted our service protocols and fundraising events during COVID, we began to look at setting ministry goals,” Wetzel said.
Goals and accomplishments
Wetzel cited upgrading the client website and adding 24/7 online Nurse Chat services as two significant goals accomplished over the past five years. Other goals achieved include:
•Adding licensed counseling and STI/STD testing and treatment services
•Upgrading educational materials to include an option for online lessons via text to clients
•Recruiting two doulas to launch in-house birthing classes
•Recruiting a new medical director, Dr. Jonathan Hardin
•Refinancing its building and securing new tenants, Amazing Eyes Family Vision and Riverwood Family Health
•Launching a new donor platform, Engiven, to receive securities and cryptocurrency gifts
“The two accomplishments of which I am most proud are hiring Abbey Ernst, LISW, as client services director in order to provide free licensed counseling to individuals and young families in need and two, being one of the first pregnancy centers in Ohio prepared to receive non-cash gifts such as cryptocurrencies,” Wetzel said.
As her final task, she will provide training at the annual board retreat this weekend.
Wetzel said one of the best parts of serving the nonprofit has been working with staff and volunteers who range in age from 14 to 88, represent different socioeconomic levels, and have different educational and Christian denominational backgrounds.
“This organization truly reflects what I believe the body of Christ is meant to be in our local community,” she said.
Looking to the future
Wetzel said the nonprofit is in a strong position regarding its facility, finances, programming, and personnel.
“Starting Point stands on the shoulders of 34 years of faithful leadership and prayer.”
Diana Wetzel, retiring executive director of starting point
“However, as our culture becomes more divided and isolated, Starting Point needs to focus on developing new strategies for reaching the young women and men who need our help,” Wetzel said.
She referenced an Ohio Department of Health report that stated nearly 65 percent of women surveyed who chose abortion later said they would have made a different decision had they known support was available.
Wetzel said abortion is a big business that often fails to provide adequate options regarding education, risk evaluations, and referrals.
“Starting Point’s primary goal is to make sure they know we are here for them because they have more choices than they think,” she said.
Wetzel noted that as a pregnancy and family resource center, changes in culture, technology, and law will constantly challenge the organization. Regardless of the challenges, she said Starting Point’s mission will remain the same: “to share God’s truth and love with those facing unexpected pregnancies, relationship challenges and pregnancy loss, especially through abortion.”
“Having the freedom and opportunities to connect with young women and men, especially online, will be the primary challenge going forward,” she said. “Fortunately, our new executive director, Jennifer Furay, is uniquely gifted and qualified to overcome the obstacles to any pro-life organizational goals.”
