Isn’t it Lovely When Young People Have a Future? Special Guest: Sandy Lown
“These young kids are the future of Sioux Falls, and we want this to stay a great place to live, where these young people have a future.”
Rachel and Tracy are energized and delighted as they sit down with vibrant local powerhouse Sandy Lown, Executive Director of Sioux Falls-based nonprofit, the Teddy Bear Den! Celebrating 26 years of nurturing healthy pregnancies, babies, and communities, the Teddy Bear Den has served over 32,000 women in the Sioux Falls area through its incentive and education based program for limited income pregnant women. Once the sole employee of the Teddy Bear Den, Sandy is quick to give any and all credit to her team of colleagues and volunteers, the healthcare workers who support the organization, and the women and children who participate in its programs. Emphasizing one of the Teddy Bear Den’s pillars, “we’re not there to judge; we’re just there to help”, Sandy stresses the importance of treating all women with dignity and respect and explains the vitalness of investing in children as the future of of Sioux Falls. Rachel and Tracy confess to Sandy that they have admired her from afar for years, while Sandy wonders out loud if this is creepy or not. Rachel wrestles with wanting to mute Sandy’s microphone so Sandy can accept compliments, while not wanting to silence a fellow woman; Tracy evokes a timeless Whitney Houston song.
Episode Mentions:
Teddy Bear Den Website: https://teddybearden.org/
Teddy Bear Den Instagram: @teddybeardensf
Teddy Bear Den Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teddybearden/
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Website: https://www.sfacf.org/
What Are You Loving:
Sandy Lown has been the Executive Director for the Teddy Bear Den since 1996, when the Den opened its doors to the women and children of Sioux Falls. As a parent of three adult children, Sandy’s kids grew up knowing what non-profit life was all about, learning all about helping others, fundraising, and having 16 people (a board of directors) as your boss. She and her husband are both originally from Iowa and met at Iowa State University. They will forever by Cyclone fans! Sandy loves her job and can’t imagine what life would be like if she wasn’t involved in the non-profit world.