Expanding Permanent Housing

Over the past 22 years, Wellspring has systematically worked to broaden agency services and to expand quality, affordable housing for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. We have expanded to 21 locations with the recent purchase of a four-plex in the Irish Hill neighborhood. Meetings with neighborhood representatives have been positive, reflecting both a welcome decrease in the level of stigma associated with mental illness, and an encouraging relief from the NIMBY (not in my backyard) syndrome that is often encountered.

This newest housing is a four- unit, 100 year old, solid masonry structure that is in overall good shape. Wellspring will rehab the facility as is necessary for it to be in excellent condition. The facility has one 1-bedroom unit, two 2-bedroom units and one 3-bedroom unit. The building is close by a bus line in a safe neighborhood with many nearby amenities.

These apartments will provide permanent housing coupled with supportive case management for graduates of Wellspring’s Ardery and Journey Houses. They are designed specifically to meet the life needs of our clients so that that they can live safely in the community and continue in their recovery process in relation to both of their illnesses. Each resident will pay only 30 percent of his or her adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and the supportive services are provided at no extra cost to the resident.

Project funding will come from several sources. One half of the total acquisition and rehab costs of this project will be funded through a grant awarded from the U.S. Dept. of HUD, Supportive Housing Program - Permanent Housing for Homeless Persons with Disabilities program. This funding was received as a consequence of Wellspring’s participation in the “Continuum of Care” application to HUD as sponsored by the Homeless Coalition of Louisville. Interim financing for this project is being provided by The Housing Partnership and by a local bank, while Wellspring seeks to secure the grant match amount needed for the permanent financing.

Recovery from mental illness is a difficult undertaking requiring the hard work of the client coupled with a flexible array of support services and permanent decent housing. Homelessness is a very steep obstacle to overcome, but it has been documented on both national and local levels that supported housing can and does lead to an outcome of recovery. If we as a society have the knowledge and means to remove homelessness as an obstacle to recovery, then we have a moral obligation to do so. This newest Wellspring project is a modest part of our community’s response to that moral imperative.

Derby Preview Party 2004

The Kentucky Derby will soon be here and what better way to get into the spirit than by attending the Wellspring Derby Preview Party to be held Thursday, April 22 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Ave. Participants will receive get those important handicapping tips, mingle with racing folks who have made Derby history, bid on 2004 Kentucky Derby tickets, and support Wellspring’s work to provide housing and rehabilitation services for persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

Hear Bill Doolittle, author of Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses 125 and The How to Be A Better Bettor Book, share his perspective on the contenders for Derby 126 and tips for making the best wagers. Jim Squires will present entertaining excerpts from his book on the running of the Kentucky Derby entitled: Horse of a Different Color: A Tale of Breeding Geniuses, Dominant Females and the Fastest Derby Winner Since Secretariat. A long-time newspaperman, Squires was editor of The Chicago Tribune and the Orlando Sentinel. The event’s honorary host will be Dell Hancock of Claiborne Farm, and Wellspring will honor Claiborne Farm during the evening. John Asher, Churchill Downs’ vice president, racing communications, will serve as master of ceremonies. The popular bluegrass band Next Exit will provide entertainment.

Admission is $85 per person (of which $45 is a tax-deductible donation). Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, and auction are included. Exciting auction items include tickets to the 2004 Kentucky, flight simulator ride, day at the races, framed artwork depicting Secretariat, personal tour of Farmington by John Speed, backside tour of Churchill Downs by sportswriter and horse trainer, and racing memorabilia. For tickets, call Wellspring at (502) 637-4361 ext. 12.

The Derby party includes scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, tantalizing desserts, drinks, silent and live auction, admission to the Derby Museum, and entertainment. Benefactor tickets for this event are $85 per person and include all of the above, plus reserved seating on the main floor. Patron tickets are $50 per person for open seating on the second floor level. Reserved tables of 10 on the main floor are $850.

Please visit the Derby Preview Party Web site for additional information and to purchase tickets at http://Kentucky Derby.Kintera.org/Preview Party Tickets can also be ordered by talking to a live person at (502) 637-4361, ext. 12, or via e-mail at bukszar@iglou.com.