A great idea for Mother’s Day and a fantastic way to support a worthwhile local cause

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With Mother’s Day on the horizon, Becky Wells, Executive Director of Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre, has the perfect gift idea. It is fun, unique, supports the shelter, and encourages local shopping. The Village Crate fundraiser features a box full of local products valued at $135 for just $100. Starting on May 3, residents can purchase their crate curated with products from 16 local vendors. Wells said they hope to sell out fast. Each box includes a $20 gift certificate to Twice is Nice and some delicious tidbits. “One local lady makes pickled jalapenos, candied ones, and they are so good,” said Wells, “and Mountain Pizza & Steakhouse donated their spice, a hot item!” She said that she plans to buy one for herself. “I’m buying one for my mom, too, because it’s such a neat idea for Mother’s Day.”

Items from the box and the sponsors that generously donated will be featured on Wellspring’s social media pages. To purchase one, contact Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre starting on May 3. Once sold, Wells said they would have a couple of pickup days at the mall. “This fundraiser will help us do renovations at the shelter, which are really important. It is old and needs a facelift,” she said. There was water damage recently found in a downstairs kitchen which needs attention.

Even with new development, the Wellspring’s Housing Continuum Project in the works keeping the main shelter operational and functional is just as important because they will continue to use it even once the new building is up and running. Soon to be located beside the Holiday Inn Express, the 52,000 square foot building will house people at different stages of their lives.

It will feature 12, 1-2 bedroom units for a Second Stage Shelter which will help people transition over from emergency care at the main shelter. There will also be 20, 1-2 bedroom, Affordable Units for those ready to move from Second Stage or those who have applied to be residents, and 10, 1-2 bedroom Market Units available to the public. Finally, the project will include space for the Twice is Nice store, currently located in the Midtown Mall, and a childcare space called Wellspring’s Nature and Nurture Daycare.

The massive project will even be net-zero, meaning that the building will generate more energy than it needs through green renewable energy sources such as solar panels. Doing so brings sustainability to the project and reduces costs, which will enable them to help even more people. “Any money generated by either the daycare or the store will either offset rent or offset free childcare for people who need it. We are not in this to make money. We are there to help give back to the community. I think it’s a wonderful project. The more we can generate, the more we can give back,” said Wells.

Putting together the layout involved a lot of research on making it the best space both inside and out. “Sometimes, some units, not just affordable ones, don’t really make people’s mental health feel great. It can be dark or dingy and not a great environment. We considered what it would be like for somebody living in an affordable unit so they can feel good about themselves,” explained Wells. Outdoor space, for one, is significant. “Having a patio and being able to access that outside space is a big deal.” They will also have a community garden.  Having a washer and dryer in each unit is another priority. “That’s a huge barrier for people. If you are living in affordable units, but you still have to come up with $20 in change every week or you have to wait for someone to be done using a shared laundry space, then those are frustrating things.”

Free internet throughout the building will be another barrier they break down. “Not everyone can afford internet, but it’s important that they have it so they can apply for jobs or whatever they need or want to do with it. We want people to succeed and to set them up for success. We want to give them the tools so that they can have them in their own toolkit.” There will also be space in the new building for local agencies to hold supportive events and training opportunities for tenants in need, free of charge.

Though some red tape has slowed the build’s progress, Wells is hopeful for a completion date of Winter 2023. “I think it is going to be a great thing. There are days where I just cannot believe all this is happening, but when things happen, I believe they happen for a reason, so sometimes you have to slow down to see what else is around you. The red tape has held us up, but there was nothing we could do about that. We now have the right construction company and architect that are willing to really work with us and understand our vision, which is everything.”

During a Lunch & Learn online presentation last week, Wells spoke about the work that staff do beyond the doors of the Wellspring building. On top of providing emergency care, they also offer educational opportunities for community members, including youth. Through outreach, they offer Intensive Case Management, offered to men, women, and youth, which provides education and information on family violence, referrals for ongoing support through other agencies, and helps them access basic needs and supports.

Another aspect of the Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre is the Community Assistance Program (CAP). In partnership with the Town of Whitecourt and the Whitecourt Ministerial Association, it helps cover basic needs, short-term emergency accommodation, and gas or other transportation needs. Petro-Canada, Ritz Café & Motor Inn, and No Frills help sponsor the program.

To learn more about the many ways Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre supports the community, visit www.whitecourtshelter.ca. To purchase a Village Crate and help with the renovations at the shelter while also supporting local makers, visit the Wellspring Facebook page. Remember, crates are available May 3, and there are only 200!