Causes: Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations, Congregate Meals, Food, Human Services, Nutrition, Personal Social Services

Mission: Wellspring women's center in the oak park community nurtures the innate goodness and personal self-esteem of women and their children. Our drop-in center provides respite and services based on "hospitality with dignity and love. "

Programs: Women's wellness program - the women's wellness program enhances the well-being of our guests and community through the provision of social work services and by creating opportunities for healing, community development, empowerment, creativity and fun. The program provides case-management, counseling (intensive therapy), activity/support groups, and health screenings/services. This program provided 732 basic information and referral contacts, 1,380 case-management contacts, 870 intensive therapy hours, and 280 activity/support groups. Further, the art of being program debuted in september 2012 as a special component of women's wellness. Art of being provides art workshops and an intensive expressive therapy program. Each of the service components mentioned have the common objective of assisting the guests toward optimal wellness. We are flexible in assessment and planning in order to be inclusive and serve as many guests as possible.

nutrition program - we take a holistic approach to our guests' wellbeing. One area of focus is the meal we serve each morning. We put great emphasis on nutrition making sure we serve hearty portions of fruits, vegetables, salads, and other low fat low sugar items. We work with a nutritionist who assists our guests in planning and preparing meals for their families and working within a budget. Our parenting class has a section of its agenda which also focuses on nutrition. The number of guest that came to the center was 44,454 over a 236 day period, covering this current fiscal year. For many of our guests, our morning meal is the main meal of their day. We also celebrate cultural and national holidays with special meals.

children's corner - our children are also a main concern and we take a creative approach to developing social skills and learning. The coordinator of the children's corner is very gifted in these areas and, as well, many of our volunteers are former teachers who bring a great deal of expertise. We have a weekly presence of the river city roadrunner group which works with both the children and their moms. The nursing interns also assist in the children's corner. During this fiscal year, 580 different children came to the children's corner over a 236 day period. We distributed 39,000 diapers and wipes, another avenue of building self-esteem.