Give the pride of work
Do you remember a time when you felt pride in your work? Maybe it was closing a really big deal, or connecting with a customer in a deeply meaningful way. Regardless of the specific circumstance, do you remember what it felt like to experience that pride? Remember the feelings of deep confidence and joy—of experiencing the worth of work?
For adults experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities, there are limited opportunities to participate in the workforce—to feel this sense of pride in a job well done. There are many reasons for this, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that most employers are unable to invest the necessary time and resources in creating an adaptive workplace.
But you can play a part in changing this for the STARS employed here at Wellspring.
STARS Work @ Wellspring
Through our work opportunities programs, there are 107 STARS working as baristas, artists, or bakers. However, these opportunities are not free. It costs Wellspring approximately $300,000 per year to provide these work options to the STARS.
This means that on average, it costs $53.91 to provide 1 week of a work opportunity for 1 STAR.
Would you consider joining us and making a special, one-time gift of at least $53.91?
How It Works
Through our work opportunities programs, there are 107 STARS working as baristas, artists, or bakers. However, these opportunities are not free. It costs Wellspring approximately $300,000 per year to provide these work options to the STARS.
Three longtime Wellspring supporters—the Love in Action Foundation, the Arzbaecher Family Foundation, and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous—believe so strongly in this vision that they have come together and pledged $100,000 as a matching incentive.
This means your gift is effectively doubled if you give by August 15th!
Will you join us in making it possible for STARS to experience the pride and dignity of work?
Every dollar raised is an investment in unlocking a STAR’s potential. Together, we can celebrate these STARS and share the endless possibilities they have to offer our communities!
Wellspring Facts
The Wellspring mission is to provide a work, enrichment and educational community where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are empowered to live full, productive and satisfying lives in a God-centered and nurturing environment.
We refer to the adults we serve as STARS – because they are the stars of this story. Wellspring was founded 13 years ago by Mary Lou Fenton as a solution to the need for meaningful opportunities for her own daughter with disabilities when she finished high school. Mary Lou started Wellspring in her kitchen, teaching her daughter and 3 friends how to bake cookies. Today, Wellspring serves 109 STARS from 5 counties and supports over 106 families.
- We offer 40 different enrichment classes each trimester, in the areas of Learning & Enrichment, Life & Leadership, Health & Fitness, Performances & Arts, and Social Responsibility.
- We offer our enrichment classes both in-person and online.
- Over 85% of Wellspring’s STARS rely on Medicaid waiver funding to pay their tuition.
- Tuition, including Medicaid waiver funding, accounts for 40% of our annual budget. We raise the remaining 60% through fundraising.
- In 2021 we launched Wellspring & Co. in partnership with The STARS Public Benefit Cooperative, our Business Enterprises initiative aimed at job skills training and employment opportunities for STARS.
YOUR generosity can empower a life!