Americorps Calling Wellspring is looking for an energetic, compassionate person to be our Americorps Homes for All Member. The Homeless and Housing Coalition of KY operates this program to expand affordable housing opportunities for homeless and economically disadvantaged Kentuckians.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Louisville, KY Permit No. 1105
Wellspring Administrative Center 225 W. Breckinridge Street (502) 637-4361 www.wellspringky.org
P.O. Box 1927 Louisville, KY 40201-1927
Wellspring has seen a significant rise in the number of chronically homeless adults needing our housing and supportive services. Of the 341 adults with serious mental illness currently receiving permanent supportive housing through Wellspring, 44% or 151, were chronically homeless when they came to us. Most of these folks have been on the streets for a year or more or had numerous bouts of homelessness in the past three years and have untreated mental illness, substance use, and chronic health conditions resulting in their revolving in and out of hospitals, ERs, and jail.
The Challenge
Take Me Out to the Ballgame! Alan MacDonald, Chair Steve Kerrick, Treasurer Curtiss Scott, Secretary Rolandas “Ro” Byrd Paul Coomes Dawn Croft Rosmond Jones Dolen Rif El-Mallakh, M.D. Rich Freeman Bill Friel Gregory E. Mayes, Jr. Cissy Mills Margaret Pennington George W. Rapp, Jr. John “Jack” Trawick Jefferey M. Yussman Chief Executive Officer Katharine R. Dobbins
Summer 2019
Intensive Supports for the Homeless
You can help Wellspring provide a higher quality of life for our clients & learn technical skills and community. To apply, go to www.wellspringky.org & click on the Kwantek link. This is a maintenance-based full-time position.
Board of Directors
Wellspring is going to the Bats for Mental Health Awareness Night! Please join us Friday, July 26th at 7pm to cheer on the Louisville Bats at Slugger Field and fight the stigma of mental illness. This will be a great opportunity to let people know the importance of what we do AND a portion of the ticket proceeds will return to Wellspring as a donation if you use the ticket link provided.
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NAMI, DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance), The Pete Foundation, Bridgehaven and the Kentucky Counseling Center will also be participating!
Get your tickets at: https://fevo.mementalhealthawarenessnight Our Mission: Wellspring promotes mental health recovery and supports individuals in building
healthy and hopeful lives through behavioral health, housing and employment services.
What do you do when you suddenly face a serious challenge? Do you throw your hands up and walk away or do you dive in and search for solutions? During Fiscal Year 2020, Wellspring will face a dramatic challenge - namely, a reduction of $50,000 in combined contributions from two entities that support our mission but face their own financial dilemmas (Metro United Way & the City of Louisville). These cuts arrive as we enter our new fiscal year and we are adapting; however, a sudden loss of $50,000 presents a serious challenge. The decrease equates to full-time case management services that would otherwise assist 25 people with serious mental illness. It impacts our Crisis Stabilization Units that serve nearly 550 people each year. The cuts also reduce the amount of
Matt and Paul, Key Program Staff Continued on Page 2
The Challenge Ahead with cost-saving reductions in emergency services. These funding cuts could restrict how many more people Wellspring can lift from being homeless on The Solution the streets (or in and out of jail, With the sound fiscal policies hospitals, and/or street camps) and that guide Wellspring, we hope place into permanent supportive to meet most day-to-day needs housing with services they need of existing clients, but the MUW to manage recovery for their and City reductions decrease the serious mental illnesses and/or cocapacity at which we can help the occurring substance use disorders. most vulnerable people in our We continue to search for the community. best solution for this financial Wellspring is currently serving challenge. We hope that cutting more people than ever - about services is the last resort but 1,000 people in FY’19. Within a without funds to replace the loss year, Wellspring has housed 100 homeless adults with serious mental from the United Way and City, all solutions are on the table. illness. We see every day how Housing First creates opportunities for previously homeless adults If you or an organization you know can help be part of the solution, please contact: with SMI to improve their lives, as Kimberly Johnson well as improve our community funds Wellspring has to “leverage” as matching money that is required to draw down federal funds for grants that subsidize client care.
Wellspring’s Development Director 502.753.1453
crisis stabilization services | supportive housing | case management services | outpatient services | supported employment