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Our office manager, Wanda Rhoden, is retiring after 23 years of faithful service to PSS, its staff and volunteers. Please join us in wishing her well as she moves into this new season of her life.
"Having only been with PSS for 3 months, it is surprising to me how connected I already feel to Wanda. Her passion for PSS and for the pro-life movement as a whole is so genuine and heartfelt that it is hard to miss when you first meet her. When I first arrived at PSS, everyone said, "If you have any questions, ask Wanda - she knows everything." And was that ever true! She doesn't just manage the office, she makes sure every T is crossed and every I is dotted, regardless of what department it is! Wanda is truly an amazingly competent, yet compassionate woman. After only 3 months, I am not sure what we'll do without Wanda, but I trust that God will lead us, and I trust that He will also guide Wanda to her next adventure!"
-Cindy Kouhout
Executive Director
"Wanda Rhoden is one of those "rare" professionals that you have the privilege in life to work with. She epitomizes excellence in everything she does, both as PSS Office Manager, but more importantly as a servant of the Lord. Wanda has been one of PSS's greatest ambassadors over the last 23 years. She loves the ministry of PSS and she gets why PSS is needed in this community - particularly why women need a safe and non-judgmental place to come when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Wanda's greatest asset by far is her love for the Lord and her family. Although I will miss her immensely, I am sure God will continue to use Wanda's gifts and talents for HIS service and people's lives will be transformed once they have an encounter with Wanda. She is just that special."
-Nan Salmon,
Development Director
"Wanda has always been an inspiration and encouragement to me personally and in my involvement at PSS as both a volunteer and as Client Services Director. A couple of months after I completed my training in 1999, I was at the center when we had a tornado warning. An alert was issued that a tornado had been sighted and was expected to be on the ground at New Hope Elementary School in Orange County. Both of my sons were there in school. I panicked and began to cry. Wanda, who barely knew me at the time, came over, took hold of my hand and began to pray for me and my children. This was the first time that Wanda covered me and my family in prayer. In 2001 Wanda led a Bible study at PSS on the book Experiencing God. I joined the group along with a couple of other ladies and we met on Sunday afternoons. I was expecting my third son during this time. On February 18, 2001, we met for the study, and I was experiencing lots of back pain. Wanda, being very wise, told me that I was most likely in labor. So once again she prayed over me. At 7:45am on February 19, my son Samuel was born! Wanda had been right and, she was one of the first people I called to share the good news about my baby. In February 2019, I felt the Lord leading me to the Client Services Director position at PSS. I sought Wanda’s wisdom and asked her to pray and also asked her if she thought I could handle this position. She encouraged me to accept the position, saying she felt I could do the job, but that it would stretch me in many areas. And again, Wanda was right. She is a very wise, discerning, and Godly lady. I have spent many times in her office in the “yellow chair” pouring out my heart to her and seeking her advice. She always took time to listen, no matter what she was working on, and gave me sound Biblical advice and assured me that she was praying for me. Her love for the staff, volunteers, clients, and most of all for the Lord, is evident in her dedication to the ministry of PSS. She will be sorely missed."
-Priscilla Sheridan,
Client Services Director
"My first real interaction with Wanda was in 2013. I was going through training and had only met her briefly. I got a call that I had to fly home to be with my mom in the hospital. I called PSS very upset! Wanda answered the phone and calmly listened and prayed with me on the phone. This was the first of many times I talked to Wanda about difficult situations. She has a lot of biblical wisdom and is a prayer warrior! When I share struggles with her, she prays with me and turns me towards Scripture reminding me of God's love and that His Word is ultimately where I need to turn for comfort and wisdom. She is also patient with teaching (and re-teaching) computer programs and operation of other office equipment. I will miss her very much, but I'm happy she will be able to spend more time with her family."
-Heather Gatti,
Client Services Associate Director
"When I started as Executive Director of PSS, there was so much I didn't know about how to lead a non-profit. Not only was Wanda exceptional at anticipating my needs and helping me find answers and solutions, but she exuded such a humble and helpful spirit. It was clear early on that Wanda was the administrative expert for PSS. She was so knowledgeable and sharp, and yet she was light-hearted and easy-going. She made my experience at PSS so enjoyable. I will always treasure the memories I made while on staff with her. She made leadership easy for me. I love her dearly."
-Evan Marbury
Executive Director 2018-2020
"Wanda was so warm and inviting when I started working with PSS. For this new Executive Director she was a patient God-send. I had so many questions, and she patiently answered in kindness even when I asked the same question over and over. I felt like I said, "Thank you, Wanda," a hundred times a day! If something broke (especially on the tech side of life) she was there to fix it. A question about something 5 years ago, 10 years ago...she had the answer. She was a great "sounding board for me," and became a sincere praying friend."
-Ruby Bea Peters
Executive Director 2013-2018
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