Crossroads Resource Center welcomes new director

Schield brings list of goals

MOSES LAKE - The new executive director of Crossroads Resource Center said she is enjoying the small-town atmosphere of Moses Lake.

Wendi Schield became director of the pregnancy resource center in October, replacing Zonia Cline.

"I'm excited," Schield said. "I believe God's calling me to do this, and it's a great combination of ministry and business, which is kind of my background."

Moving to Moses Lake was unintentional for Schield and her husband. The two lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., and were seeking a lakefront home in Washington state. All their children attended college in Washington.

They looked at Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and Lake Chelan.

"We stopped in Moses Lake and we thought we were stopping for lunch, and we ended up staying four days and we bought some property," Schield said.

A year and a half after moving to Moses Lake, Schield said she is enjoying her residence.

She recalled going to the grocery store and seeing several people she knew by name and thinking it was nice living in a small town.

Schield began volunteering for Crossroads in January, soon after learning about the organization. Most recently, she served as clinical services director.

"I quit work in my traditional employment in 2002 and went to Bible college for a few years, so I knew God was preparing me for my next career. I just wasn't sure what it was."

Goals as director include raising visibility within the community and reaching more abortion-minded clients. She wants to increase volunteerism within the organization as well. About 30 people are volunteers for the center.

"Volunteers keep this ministry running," Schield said. "Without them we wouldn't have anything."

Hours were recently

expanded, so staffing is spread thin, she said. She is hoping to have two people on shift at all times, in addition to herself.

"We want to build out this office, and so I'm going to need some guys to come forward and help with some minor remodeling," Schield added.

The center is also working to gain the status of a medical clinic, with help from a Focus on the Family grant. As a medical clinic, the center will have the ability to perform ultrasounds.

Crossroads Resource Center is located at 1555 S. Pilgrim, Suite C. It is open from 10:50 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

An online donor Web site was recently established at www.pregnancywa.org.

For more information, call 509-765-4425, or visit www.pregnancywa.com.