2016 is off to a great start at Wellspring House!
Thanks to the generous support of the Cape Ann community, more than 350 families received holiday assistance through this year’s 19th Annual Wellspring Holiday Store.
The holiday season marks a period of increased need for many families. This critical program allows parents to provide holiday gifts for their children, without getting behind on necessities like rent and heat later in the winter.
While it is a holiday program that takes place every December, Wellspring’s Holiday Store makes the most difference to families in need right now – during the frigid months of January and February, when the temperatures drop below freezing.
A family shops at Wellspring’s Holiday Store, pictured with Wellspring’s Executive Director, Melissa Dimond.
The following note was written by a shopper who was served by this year’s Holiday Store:
“Thank you so much for everything. If it were not for you, I don’t know how we would get by this Christmas. Much Love, The S Family”
In Wellspring’s Education Department, a new year brings a new session of ALI (Adult Learning Initiative). Eleven new students have joined our talented staff and volunteers for this eight week program designed to help students pass the HISET exam, prepare for college, and qualify for a better job. Students recently finished interests, skills, and values assessments helping them to identify career and education priorities.
The first ALI 2 mathematics class just ended and was a great success. ALI 2 covers intermediate level college prep math so that students qualify for college admission without paying for courses that don’t count toward a degree.
Wellspring’s new WERC (Wellspring Educational Resource Collaborative) program has become the entry point for all students expressing interest in Wellspring Education programs. WERC outreach has generated responses from many potential mentors, and, to date, has touched the lives of 40 people.
Lots of good things going on at Wellspring, and lots of people finding the help they need to get them closer to Homes, Jobs and Education.