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27 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com WELLSPRING Respect • Responsibility includes the first testing center in the state that accommodates students with disabilities. Education Director Gregory Hastings is passionate about providing students with the aptitude that will serve them throughout their lives. "Seeing them open possibilities in their own minds is one of the greatest parts about working here," Hastings says. "We serve our students beyond receiving a diploma. We make sure they have a plan going forward, and help them with that plan, whether it's a paid internship with the goal of full-time employment, college or beyond." Wellspring's job skills program includes training on how to apply for jobs, how to speak with employers and how to navigate employment taxes. It also helps clients find placements for paid internships. Chantazia, a former Wellspring student, earned her high school diploma and is headed to Quincy College. Wellspring also helped her with food support, counseling and child care for her daughter. She gets emotional as she describes how Hastings and the other staff members at Wellspring helped her throughout her journey. "I would recommend Wellspring to anyone," she says. "They're amazing." "We take the time to learn what our students' goals are," says Hastings. "We ask them: 'What kind of life do you want to live?'" LEGAL SERVICES, COUNSELING AND ELDER CARE Wellspring offers free legal counsel on issues like eviction, social security questions, disability advocacy and child custody. Their counseling services address personal issues that would hinder someone's path to independence, including domestic violence. Wellspring collaborates with local and regional services to ensure that Elder Services clients receive the guidance they deserve on coming in for more reasons than being cold or hungry." Volunteer and former Wellspring Board Chair Katharine Reardon says, "What is special about Wellspring is that we don't only find out what brought you here; we find out what else brought you here. What is your situation, and what are the different ways we can tie you into services?" YOU JUST HAVE TO VISIT ONCE TO SEE THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY SHOPS Reverend Diane Edson's thrift shop continues at Wellspring, offering gently used and affordable clothing, jewelry, household items, toys, books, art and more. All items sold in the shop have been donated for sale, and the revenue directly funds Wellspring programs and services. There is also PrintWELL, a print shop that provides individuals and non-profits with printing, copying and cutting/trimming services for an assortment of materials. Just a few doors down is the Wellspring furniture annex. AUNT DOT'S KITCHEN Aunt Dot's Kitchen, Wellspring's food pantry, provides Hull residents with fresh and non-perishable food, as well as basic personal care items. Catherine, a Wellspring client, says that the food is wonderful and fresh: "I enjoy coming here because everybody is so nice and friendly." On Mondays and Wednesdays, a van is available to pick up and drop off people at Aunt Dot's Kitchen. "It is important to be accessible for people who are nervous about where their next meal is coming from," says Harte. ADULT EDUCATION Wellspring's Community Learning Center is a wing of beautiful classrooms where adults can earn a HiSet (G.E.D.) or high school diploma and learn about basic education and literacy, career exploration, college readiness and job skills training. The wing