Deanna Woldt

Hello! My name is Deanna Woldt. I’m the founder, owner and sole service provider (at the moment) for A Hand 2 Hold, Inc. I have had a passion, no more of an obsession, for helping people since I was a child. I’ve literally worked in helping professions or occupations for the majority of my life. I was working with a non-profit organization helping justice-impacted mothers reunify with their children and provide family stabilization assistance for 4+ years when the organization decided to discontinue offering that program in December 2023. I decided that the program was too important to discontinue it and decided to do it on my own. A friend wisely recommended “do it the right way”, i.e. with a legitimate business including insurance. Hence, A Hand to Hold, LLC was created in January 2024. I reached out to South Dakota Small Business Development for assistance. They informed me that my business should really be a non-profit and thus they couldn’t help me. They recommended that I reach out to an attorney who could help me create the non-profit. I met a very talented attorney who agreed to help me make my dream of a non-profit come true. In May of 2024, A Hand 2 Hold, LLC was dissolved and A Hand 2 Hold, Inc was recognized as a non-profit organization in the state of South Dakota. He continued to work with my organization to get it recognized as a federal tax-exempt organization as of November 2024. The business is still new and we have not identified steady and reliable income streams but hope to connect with grants, contracts and donors to provide services to those who need them.

A Hand 2 Hold, Inc was created as a virtual hand to hold for individuals and families needing support during life’s transitions and challenges. A Hand 2 Hold, Inc offers parenting classes, especially for those working to reunify with their children. A Hand 2 Hold, Inc also provides on-going support to individuals and families for up to 6 months after reunification and/or closure of any Child Protection Services case if applicable. The time frame is flexible based on individual and family needs/desires and can be extended if desired. Clients are informed that working with A Hand 2 Hold, Inc is voluntary, regardless of whether someone “requires” them to enroll with A Hand 2 Hold, Inc or not. Clients get to choose whether they want to participate and if so, how long to do so. Many of the classes are offered in either one-on-one or small group format, whichever works best for the individual or family. Classes are typically offered at one of the libraries located closest to client home but can also be offered in treatment centers and other locations. I am willing to meet with individuals and families in their home on a case-by-case basis if desired. I have also served as a safety plan provider for Child Protective Services during trial reunification. The most vulnerable time for reunified families is when other supports have ceased. A Hand 2 Hold, Inc strives to fill that gap and support individuals and families during this vulnerable period and beyond as necessary. I want to provide all families with a copy of The Invisible String Book by Patrice Kast. The Invisible String book reminds children and parents that no matter where they are they will always be connected by an invisible string. It may feel a little “corny” but it allows parents and children to “tug” on the invisible string when they are physically or emotionally separated from a loved one and need to feel “connected” to each other. The book ends by saying “you are never alone”. I think everyone needs to know that they are not alone and that at least one person cares about them enough to support them throughout their journey. A Hand 2 Hold, Inc provides that reassurance to individuals, families and communities.

One of the most rewarding aspects of what I do occurs when I accompany people to court hearings. I’m not a lawyer and can’t give legal advice but court is scary, especially if facing loss of parental rights or personal freedom. Many clients have expressed appreciation for the physical presence of someone with them in court. I created “court kits” for clients to further support them before, during and after court. Each court kit contained a small, smiley stress ball (served multiple purposes-stress relief, a friendly smile when scared or feeling alone, ability to be concealed in the palm of a hand undetected by observers); a pack of tissues (court can be very emotional); 8-10 motivational quotes (to provide comfort and inspiration); a small hand-held fidget spinner (to occupy nervous or anxious hands and minds) and 1-2 snacks (people sometimes end up waiting hours for their court case to be called). All of these items are placed in a small cosmetic bag with the words “hang in there” printed on the outside. One judge commented during a hearing that “you can’t see her but Deanna is sitting behind you doing the bobble-head bobble”. It never occurred to me that the judge was watching me or would comment on my non-verbal support during the hearing. I am so proud that I have the opportunity to help people make positive changes and to acknowledge those changes. One of my favorite sayings is “prove them wrong” when clients feel overwhelmed or consumed by negative information. I believe in my clients. I firmly believe that they have the ability to succeed and want to be with them during that journey. It is enormously satisfying when they believe that they can do something AND THEY DO! Everyone needs someone “in their corner”. A Hand 2 Hold does that!