Article/Photos By Marsha Kuykendall
Nearly 400 Seattle Rotarians gathered yesterday to celebrate Seattle Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary and the opening of the Rotary Support Center for Families.
The $16 million, three-story, 35,000 sq. ft. facility is the new home of Wellspring Family Services (formerly Family Services) one of King County’s oldest and largest social service agencies. The center is the culmination of Seattle Rotary’s Centennial Project, marking its partnership with Wellspring Family Services to end homelessness for 5,000 Seattle families over the next 10 years.
“We are extremely proud of what our members have accomplished, and we are excited to partner with Wellspring Family Services through the next century, to address the critical issue of homelessness in our community,” said Seattle Rotary #4 President Nancy Sclater.
During a brief address, Mayor Greg Nichols proclaimed June 24, 2009 as Seattle Rotary #4 Day and congratulated Seattle Rotarians and Wellspring Family Services for their “dedication to service and a job well done.”
“The timing for this new facility in our community couldn’t be more critical,” said Wellspring Family Services CEO & President Ruthann Howell. “The current economic crisis has hurt many families. We’ve seen rates of housing instability, homelessness, domestic violence, and mental health crisis increase dramatically.”
After a short presentation, Rotarians toured the new facility and visited with Wellspring Family Services staff.
Founded in 1892, Wellspring Family Services offer programs for families, such as specialized child-care, parenting support, eviction prevention services, counseling, domestic violence intervention, housing support services, and case management for homeless families.
Rainier Valley residents are invited to attend the center’s public grand opening on Fri., June 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. The celebration includes tours of the new facility and information about agency services; performances by the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder Drum Line, The Toucans (steel drum band), the Baby Dangerettes and Beta Rose Petal drill teams; a bouncy house and other activities for children; and plenty of food and beverage.
1) Rotary Boys and Girls Club member Nalica Henning, 11, opened the celebration by singing “God Bless America.”
2) In lieu of the traditional ribbon cutting, Seattle Rotary Centennial Chair Don Kraft broke a paper chain made by children attending Wellspring’s Morning Song program for preschoolers. (Pictured at right: Wellspring Family Services VP of Development and Communications Lillian Hochstein.)
3) Mayor Greg Nichols proclaimed June 24, 2009 as Seattle Rotary #4 Day.
4) Wellspring Family Services helped Sabrina Burr, who is medically disabled, move back into the Rainier Valley, where she has a support system for herself and 5-year-old daughter. “They helped my find a good home in a stable environment.”
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