News
October 22, 2020Wellspring Announces Campaign for New Building
Wellspring, the organization that provides crisis and support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County, has announced plans to construct a new mission-based facility. The 8,000 square foot building will be located on Route 9 in the Town of Malta, just south of Malta Avenue.
According to Executive Director Maggie Fronk, “for most of our 40-year history, Wellspring has been in the same office location, even as the agency has grown exponentially in programs offered, number of clients assisted, and staff size. We have been working for several years to identify a growth strategy, site and design for a new facility that is of adequate size to provide the crisis and support services that are vital to our clients who are sharing parts of their lives during a difficult, vulnerable and very emotional time.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic became a new factor that increased the need for larger confidential spaces. “Our current counseling ‘cubbies’ have had staff and victims sitting less than 3 feet apart in very small rooms with poor ventilation. Most of our staff sat in an open office environment answering calls throughout the day,” stated Fronk. “While we have always prioritized safety from domestic violence and sexual assault, we now have another kind of safety to consider.” Currently, Wellspring is using additional off-site offices to meet the needs of its staff and clients.
In the new facility, there will be safe spaces for counseling, as well as rooms for programming that will enhance and reinforce client job skills and financial literacy skills to help clients obtain self-sufficiency. The building will have a wing devoted to Prevention Programs. Board Chair Erica Fuller states that “the only way to end abuse in the future is to prevent it from happening, and to do that we must educate our community.” These program spaces will allow Wellspring to be a more visible, accessible, proactive, and community-focused organization in order to provide education and assistance before there is a crisis.
The total cost of the project is $3 million. The sources of funding include Wellspring’s building reserves, a loan from The Adirondack Trust Company, and a fundraising campaign. The fundraising campaign goal is $1.8 million. The Campaign Co-Chairs, Stephanie Collins and Linda Toohey, reported that to date, 63% of the fundraising goal has been reached, leaving $665,000 yet to be raised. Collins and Toohey stated that “over the past year, we have begun to reach out to Saratoga County residents, businesses, and organizations to ask for their philanthropic support. We have been in awe of their generosity and look forward to meeting with more members of the community to help us raise the additional funds needed to make this building a reality.”
