Ending family homelessness is a complex issue that requires an entire community to work as one. An essential component of supporting Wellspring Family Services’ mission is the Wellspring Associate Board (WAB). Comprised primarily of young professionals, the WAB is a group that amplifies Wellspring’s work by blending leadership and service through a combination of fundraising, outreach, networking, and awareness building.

From meeting with state legislators to organizing events—like the Change is Brewing fundraising series—to serving families in the Holiday Toy Room, or handing out backpacks at Family Resource Fairs, the WAB plays various essential roles in moving Wellspring’s mission forward.

Open to anyone over the age of 18 committed to the work of ending family homelessness, Wellspring Associate Board members come from diverse backgrounds and offer unique skills and perspectives. They work in technology, finance, and marketing, among other fields, providing skills, knowledge, and leadership in the corporate world. When they meet as a group, that diversity unites behind a singular commitment to ending family homelessness for good.

When asked why they love Wellspring’s mission, the current WAB’s responses revealed common themes that keep them motivated: A commitment to family, a desire to serve holistically across a spectrum of needs, Wellspring initiatives that offer community members opportunities to serve their neighbors, and the cultural competency of staff.

Gavin Hudson, a CPA at Standish Management, put it best, saying, “I’m a big believer in Wellspring’s holistic approach to helping people. It’s not just about putting roofs over heads, but really making an impact on multiple aspects of families’ lives that will last for generations.”

Although Wellspring’s mission manifests in various ways, the Associate Board points to a single value that ties everything together – human connection. From helping at Family Resource Fairs to serving alongside co-workers in Wellspring’s Family Store, WAB members find joy in bringing people together.

Ray Sanchez spoke to the transformative power of connection, writing that “hearing the excitement in the voices of families during calls to let them know how to receive their holiday gift orders was a real treat. Hearing one parent say, ‘We can celebrate the holidays this year thanks to Wellspring…’ is something I’ll never forget.”

To learn more about our work to end family homelessness or to join our Associate Board, visit https://wellspringfs.org/get-involved/volunteerism/wellspring-associate-board/.