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Wellspring Early Learning Center (ELC) Closure FAQs
Following Wellspring’s announcement of the closure of its Early Learning Center (ELC), the following FAQs provide additional information:
The Decision
Why is Wellspring closing the Early Learning Center?
Rising costs and recent cuts to government funding have made it unsustainable for Wellspring to continue operating the ELC as a standalone program. Continuing to operate the ELC would risk the stability of our other programs that families rely on to remain stably housed and meet their basic needs.
How does this decision align with Wellspring’s mission?
Wellspring’s mission is to support families experiencing crises and help them achieve stability. Closing the ELC is painful, but it allows us to focus our resources on the housing, residential services, and family store programming that continue to be core to our mission.
Could fundraising save the ELC?
Unfortunately, the recent loss of over $500,000 a year in State funds, when added to the existing shortfall in the ELC, is too large a gap for our organization to raise on top of other ongoing needs. If we focused entirely on filling this budget hole, it would jeopardize the dollars that ensure the sustainability of other programs.
What if we cut expenses elsewhere instead?
We looked carefully at every option. The truth is that there was no “good” choice — any cuts have painful consequences. Unfortunately, the Early Learning Center was hit the hardest by recent state funding reductions, leaving it with the largest deficit of any Wellspring program. If we tried to cover that shortfall by cutting other programs, we would destabilize the whole organization and put even more families at risk. Closing the ELC is heartbreaking, but it was the only way to preserve Wellspring’s ability to continue serving families through our other core programs.
Why not scale down instead of closing?
Scaling down would not resolve the core issue — the ELC budget was not sustainable. Rising wages and increased costs over the last decade have cut away at the budget, pushing the fundraising goal higher each year. Prior to the devastating state budget cuts, the cost for serving each child already exceeded the available funding. While philanthropy helped us to bridge that gap, it has grown too large for future sustainability.
Was consideration given towards merging the ELC with another organization?
Yes. We explored potential partnerships and transfers but found no immediate partner interested in assuming operations.
Impact on Families & Children
What will happen to the children currently enrolled in care?
We are partnering with trusted early learning centers — including Akin, Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), and Seed of Life — that share Wellspring’s values: trauma-informed, family-centered, and no-cost or affordable. The families of the 37 children currently receiving care are being directly supported by our staff in transitioning to these programs. This is not an ending, but a transition to ensure children continue to thrive.
Why not wait until June when the school year ends?
September is a good time for families to find new early learning placements — many slots are open now. Waiting until winter would make it far harder for families to secure placements. While June is a natural transition point, Wellspring cannot sustain the financial strain for that long without jeopardizing other critical services.
How will we make sure families find safe, affordable placements?
We are reaching out to partner organizations, other providers, and the City/State to help families secure new placements. We will provide transition support wherever possible.
What about children with special needs or who require continuity of care?
We are prioritizing these families in our transition planning and working with partners who can provide specialized support.
What does this mean for Wellspring’s identity as an organization that supports children and families?
Our commitment to children and families remains central. Closing the ELC allows Wellspring to direct resources to Housing and Residential Services and the Family Store.
Impact on Wellspring
What is Wellspring’s Financial Situation?
Wellspring is not in immediate financial crisis. Like many nonprofits, we are feeling the effects of a very difficult funding environment. Closing the ELC is a necessary step to ensure we can continue providing housing, prevention, and family support services long into the future.
What will happen to the Family Store, Housing, or Residential Services?
These programs will continue and remain central to Wellspring’s mission. We will be adding a new site to the Residential Services program in November and recently launched the wish list sign-up for our annual Giving Together holiday drive through the Family Store.
What is the impact on Wellspring Staff?
There are 12 ELC staff members whose positions are being eliminated through this closure. Those individuals will receive severance packages and support in finding new employment at partner agencies. We are also reducing roles in the administrative and fundraising departments as we continue to right-size the agency.