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Something new is cookin’ at Wellspring Community

Wellspring Community participants stand next to the industrial 20-quart mixer in their new kitchen, located at 826 Park Street in Castle Rock. The new mixer (and the new facility) allow them to make eight times the batter in one batch.

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo by Terri Wiebold

Wellspring Community (Wellspring) recently moved into a large newly-remodeled facility and commercial kitchen, located at 826 Park Street in Castle Rock. Wellspring’s founder Mary Lou Fenton said, “Our new facility provides us dedicated office space, full-time use of a brand new commercial kitchen to expand our Best Buddies Bakery operation, shared space to conduct our Work and Enrichment Program, Wellspring Wonders Choir rehearsals, and Club 21, our social and recreation program.”

Fenton credits much of Wellspring’s success to the long-time generous support from individual donors, local businesses, and churches including New Hope Presbyterian Church, Castle Pines Community Church, and Castle Oaks Covenant Church with whom they are sharing the new facility. Fenton explained, “Castle Oaks Covenant Church’s congregation became so excited about the mission and vision of Wellspring that they approached us last year and invited us to share space [at the new location] so we could expand our programs.”

Wellspring is a non-profit organization that provides services to young adults with developmental disabilities, including Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism. The Work and Enrichment Program offers vocational training in the bakery and classes in sign language, nutrition, Spanish, pottery, card-making, Zumba, strength and conditioning, and social etiquette and leisure skills. The program also collaborates with the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), where participants learn how to plant seeds to grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers for the new community garden at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

Club 21 is a social and recreation program that provides a place to gather with friends and enjoy a variety of activities, including games, hobbies, crafts, karaoke, and more.

The Wellspring Wonders Choir, directed by a professional vocal coach and piano accompanist, trains participants in voice, rhythm, and breathing exercises for performances at local churches and other venues. The choir recently performed at the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce banquet at Sanctuary golf club.

Wellspring is working on a residential program with the goal of purchasing homes in The Meadows, where participants will live in a safe, supervised, and nurturing setting. Wellspring invites the public to its open house on Saturday, May 18, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 826 Park Street in Castle Rock. For information, call Mary Lou Fenton at 303-660-1935 or by e-mail at marylou@wellspringcommunityonline.org.

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