A Mission Moment From Vinny

The Stanley Family from left to right: Denise Stanley, Christian Stanley, Jim Stanley, Marlee Stanley, David Stanley

In 2005, Jim Stanley went to pick up a toolbox, a daily routine, as he owned his own construction company. He and his wife Denise had just finished building their own home for themselves and their four children. The family was happy and content until that fateful day when Jim’s back was destroyed by that one simple act. A week after the injury, Jim and Denise changed roles. She started working full time; Jim became the stay-at-home parent. Jim, though, could barely keep up with the home duties. Money got tight. By 2011, they were on the verge of losing their home when Jim decided to go down the street to a place he had heard about for years – Wellspring, a place Jim never thought he would need.

Jim and I knew each other from coaching T-ball. Our kids went to school together too. When he first arrived at Wellspring, Jim will tell you he was glad I had a box of tissues in my office. What he thought was an impossible setback was just another day of miracles at Wellspring. What resonated most with Jim on that first day was that Wellspring offers a hand up not a handout. He left, that day, with four bags of groceries from Aunt Dot’s Kitchen and something even more important – hope. In Jim’s words, “Over the years, Wellspring took care of anything they could for my family. We were able to have a Thanksgiving, a Christmas, back-to-school items when we didn’t think we could buy any, and food on the table every week.” Still, because of worsening back conditions limiting work, Jim and his family had to leave their home and move in with a relative. In 2015, Jim finally received back surgery and began to improve. In 2017, he went back to work. In fact, Jim was doing so much better that he went to the Social Security Office to tell them that he wanted to give back his benefits. He thought the administrator was going to faint. He explained, “It’s a hand up not a handout.”

Jim says that although he never went to a class at Wellspring, he learned an awful lot. In October of 2023, Jim became the store manager for Aubuchon Hardware in Cohasset. He now gives back to Wellspring in many ways – through public appearances, events, and by organizing company fundraisers to benefit Wellspring. We remain good friends to this day. He is one of my favorite success stories exemplifying the long-term benefits of the Wellspring mission. YOU, our supporters, make this possible.