Meet Nikola Reinfelds | Executive Director & Chair

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikola Reinfelds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikola, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Running a community-based nonprofit out of my home has exposed myself and my family to risks that I didn’t think to consider. I committed to take over Stork Support of Northern Colorado in 2020 and turn it into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was focused on keeping a much-needed community service going, not the risks involved. As a mother first I sometimes worry if I risked too much. And there have been times when the risks felt really, really scary.

And also the risks have always been worth it. Every time a family recieves the support they need, that they are worthy of, the support that they may have not been offered or met the requirements for, it makes the risks worth it.

At the end of the day, there is no courage without fear. Just walking out our door includes risk. And I believe that there is courage within all of us that is just waiting for us to take that risk so it can shine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up with a mother that would tell me, “work is work, if it was fun, they’d call it play.” And I completly agree. There is a lot about running your own business that is far from fun. Yet, in all the careers I’ve had in my life – first in retail, then printing and publishing, then health and wellness and now nonprofit – I have always worked harder and longer with passion and without complaint when it involved helping someone change their life for good.

What sets Stork Support apart from other maternity and infant support organizations is definitely how accessible we are to the families that need these services. And how relateable. I was a client myself in 2020. I once told a client that I am a client first and she looked me in the eyes and said, “no, you are a mother first.” And she was right. We are families helping families always.

I am so proud of recieving our 501(3)(c) status back in March 2021. It has opened so many doors with the level of service we can provide our community. I am so proud to have grown Stork Support while also raising my children. That they see now that I am not going to leave families to be under resourced during a vulnerable season in their journey when support should be abundant. That I am going to do everything in my power today so that they don’t inherit this disconnect of support in their future. I am proud that I am the change I want to see in this world. And I am so excited for our infant-feeding support program to formally launch in 2023 – it is going to have a huge impact on infant health in our community and lowering parents’ stress.

It is never an easy road to fight for your purpose. Having run a successful bussiness territory in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island taught me that you have to have tanasity, grit and the willingness to accept that the one constant is change. Now running a nonprofit has been such a learning process like I’ve never experienced in my past. I knew and trusted that I had the business acumen, but this job involves my whole heart and a way of doing business that invloves more sacrafice than most jobs. What I’ve learned is that value is not measured by money. It is measured by how you share your courageous love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ll be honest, I have no idea what would be the most fun, interesting placed to go and things to do in Northern Colorado. Since moving to NoCO I’ve been a stay at home mom with limited access to transportation or childcare to afford such adventures. To me the best thing to do and what I pine for is a nice hike on a beautiful day with my mom friends that have had my back since day one of meeting each other. Rocky Mountain National Park will always be like church to me. If you are needing a renewal of spirit, that is what I recommend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I cannot thank enough the Women Leaders that have shined my path forward with making Stork Support a successful nonproft and helped catch me and redirect me when I faltered or was on the verge of burnout. Thank you to these amazing Women Leaders in the nonproft field:
Alison Weston with Safe Kids Larimer County
Amelia Hohnston-Ritchhart with Covering Weld Diaper Bank
Colleen Emery with Hope House Northern CO
Emily Jorgensen with Grace Upon Grace Project
Jaymi Anderson with Genesis Project of Nothern Colorado
Jessica Long with Homeward Alliance
Kimberly Giles with Little Willows Clothing Boxes
Lorraine Meyer with A Friend For You
Madisen Golden with WomenGive Larimer County
Nicole Cox with Nestled in the NICU
Trista Gangestad with A B.A.B.Y Foundation

Website: https://storksupportofnoco.com/index.html

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