History

Wellspring’s roots began in 1968 when five downtown congregations (Emmanuel Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Trinity English Lutheran and Wayne Street Methodist) plus the YWCA joined together to bring it to life. At its inception, the main purpose was providing summer programs for youth who lived in Fort Wayne’s West Central neighborhood. 

Pastors Bill Moody of First Presbyterian and Arnold Pierson of Trinity English Lutheran played key roles in the formation of the program.  In fact, Reverend Moody was hired as the first executive director and served in that position until 1989.  Andrea Thomas became the second executive director, serving in her position until she retired at the end of 2004.  Francis M. Zirille began his duties as executive director in January 2005.

Initially, the agency was called West Central Neighborhood Summer Program but was later changed to West Central Neighborhood Committee. In 1989, members of the board voted to change the name to West Central Neighborhood Ministry. In June 2004, the name was changed to Wellspring.  One reason for the modification was that the organization was serving a much broader population base than just the West Central area.  Over 85% of those who take part in Wellspring programs live within a two-mile radius of the downtown area. A high percentage of participants in the youth and older adult programs reside in the core of the city, but not in the West Central area.

From the early years, the organization quickly expanded to offer a variety of programs that focus on the educational, social, physical and recreational needs of adults and youth.

Over a one-year period, Wellspring directly affects the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals through its direct service programming.

Strong community assistance comes from volunteers, financial contributions and in-kind support.  That help comes from over 200 individuals, 40 community organizations, sixteen congregations and several companies and several companies that assist in implementing Wellspring's major program areas. These include the Older Adult,  Youth Summer Day Camp, Youth After School, Parent Club and Food Bank programs.  In addition, a new program, Our Place of Wellspring, has been initiated. Its goal is to offer support to homeless and transient teens and young adults, ages 16-21. 

Rev. Arnie Pierson, Trinity English Lutheran Church, and Rev. Bill Moody, First Presbyterian Church, meet for coffee at Manicos to discuss a possible summer program for West Central neighborhood youth.

Summer, 1968

Five downtown congregations and the YWCA combine efforts to create the first West Central Neighborhood Summer Program with a budget of $800.

October, 1968

West Central Craft Club begins meeting on Tuesdays after school with tutoring on Thursday afternoons (beginning of present day Youth After School Program).

Summer, 1969

Overnight camp is added to the summer program.

June, 1970

Rev. Bill Moody becomes Executive Director of the West Central Neighborhood Committee, promising to stay “at least through the end of 1971”.

1971

Senior Citizens Craft Club (beginning of Older Adult Program)
begins meeting in the Wayne Street Methodist building (now Broadway Christian Church).

1974

West Central Neighborhood Committee is formally incorporated and offices move to a renovated storefront at 1012 Broadway.

April, 1980

New neighborhood center is built at 1210 Broadway.

June, 1989

Andrea Thomas is hired as the organization’s second Executive Director, promising to stay “at least four years”.

July, 1989

Name is officially changed to West Central Neighborhood Ministry.

June, 1991

Summer East Side, West Side activities for children and parents begin as a collaboration among West Central congregations, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and in the summer of 1992 Westfield Presbyterian Church (now United Faith Presbyterian Church).

September, 1994

East Side, West Side project expands to year round activities.

October, 1997

New neighborhood center (present Wellspring Center) at 1316 Broadway is dedicated.

November, 1999

East Side, West Side receives National Council of Church Ecumenical / Interfaith Service Award, selected from among 450 ecumenical and interfaith organizations in the United States.

November, 2001

West Central begins a lengthy examination of its internal and external relationships and its place in the Fort Wayne community through a grant from the Institute for Organizational Effectiveness.

2003

Interfaith involvement increases.

2003

West Central Neighborhood Ministry celebrates 35 years of service combining the resources of fifteen congregations representing ten denominations, numerous foundations, service organizations, businesses, and caring individuals.

March, 2003

“Food for the Body, Nourishment for the Soul” older adult lunch project begins.

June, 2004

Name changed to Wellspring Interfaith Social Services.

January, 2005

Frank Zirille becomes third Executive Director in agency’s 37 years of service.

November, 2005

Agency’s first fund raising event a success generating $23,000.

Summer, 2006

A record-setting number of youth (461) register for Wellspring's Youth Summer Day Camp.

Our Place of Wellspring, a program developed to offer support to homeless and transient teens and young adults, begins.

Wellspring's East Side West Side Summer Day Camp sets an attendance record with an average of 243 youth campers daily during the six week core period. The program is extended for an extra seventh week.

Wellspring's Food Bank had its busiest month ever providing food and personal hygiene products to 192 families representing 486 individuals.

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