Mission Moment: Standing across the street in pouring rain ....

When The Reverend Diane Edson first opened the doors to Wellspring on April 4 of 1985, I don’t think she could have envisioned how many people would eventually benefit from her kindness. She had rented a small space on Nantasket Avenue for the purpose of providing a safe, warm environment where people in need could come for food, clothing and someone to talk to. They could sit and unburden for a while. Over time, with the help of Diane’s husband, The Reverend Robert Edson, and other Wellspring founders, a continuum of care and compassion was established. It is exemplified at Wellspring to this day.

In 2003, I began working at Wellspring. I joined an existing team that included Pat Martin, who preceded me by 5 years and Margaret Mellon, who was also here before I landed. Pat and Margaret have been stalwarts in their decades-long promotion of the continuum of care. They are still working today with as much commitment as when they first started.

Not long after I started working at Wellspring, I noticed a man leaving Aunt Dot’s Kitchen (then the Hull food pantry) in the pouring rain. He went across the street to wait for a bus and would not leave his spot for fear he might miss his ride home. Forty-five minutes later, he was still there, drenched and miserable. I asked Pat, “Why don’t we provide transportation for him?”  Pat, whose personal goal even then was to ensure that no one on the South Shore ever went hungry, said, “we have to do this,” just as the bus arrived. Transportation was a missing link.  We soon found other ways to attract and retain clients, always with the objective of comprehensive solutions for those with challenges.

Although Diane passed away in 2000, her successors – volunteers, donors, Board members and staff – augmented her vision not only by adding transportation but also programs like Adult Education, legal advocacy and housing assistance. Wellspring had a novel approach among nonprofits of this size.  We incorporated a case management tracking system for our clients to collect data and analyze results. With this information, we could better understand and focus on underlying causes in addition to treating symptoms. 

Now here we are today – about to celebrate Wellspring’s 40th anniversary. Forty years of providing a hand up (not a handout!) to neighbors facing challenging times. Wellspring has grown…our clients, our friends, our partnerships, our staff, our capacity, our presence on the South Shore. Continuity of care will continue to be our mainstay.  In the coming months, I invite you to share your stories with us as we reflect on all that has been accomplished. Whether you have been around since the beginning, helping Diane, or whether you are new to Wellspring, tell us about what brought you here, and what brings you back. Diane would want to know, and so do we. I look forward to engaging with you in this, our 40th year, and I thank you for your ongoing support. Contact Kathryn Walsh with your story by emailing kathryn@wellspringmultiservice.org.