September last marked the 25th anniversary of Wellsprings, Cork City, a voluntary organisation providing care and aftercare services for vulnerable young women, enabling them to prepare for adulthood and independent living.

During her time as a nurse in the Mercy Hospital, Cork, Joan O’Leary encountered many young women presenting with injuries from alcohol abuse, assaults and from self-harm. She noticed that many of the same women returned again and again. Reflecting on her own ministry as a Mercy Sister the plight of these women was very much central to her thoughts and the need to respond was strong for her. Having spoken to the Mercy Leadership of the time and following research, a dream took shape for Joan, which was to ‘have a lovely home for these young women with flower boxes and a light in the window.’  Joan left her nursing career to make that dream a reality and Wellsprings – the name of the new centre was opened on 19th September, 1995.

Wellsprings

Now 25 years on, Joan reflects on the impact of that dream:

235 young women have come through the doors of Wellsprings since 1995, with some of the first young women in the service still in contact with Wellsprings today.  81 young women are involved in the outreach service.  This dedicated outreach building was opened in April 2008 offering daily support, nourishing meals, accompaniment to medical and dental appointments, court hearings, social connection, community and tenancy sustainment support. There have been thousands of interventions with the young women, their families, foster carers and their children.

Main Reception Hall

Wellsprings is unique in offering support to the women’s families and foster carers in repairing and maintaining positive relationships. This helps enormously to sustain the young women’s mental health and wellness and their ability to maintain education, accommodation, a good quality of life and a sense of belonging and connection to the community. Many of the young women present with complex needs and have experienced significant loss and trauma in their lives. Each young woman is supported sensitively and creatively, based on her individual wishes and needs.

“It is with deep gratitude to God, the leadership of the time and the Sisters in St. Marie’s of the Isle, Cork that I recall the memory of September 19th, 1995. To God for the many, many blessings and miracles received, to leadership for accompanying me every step of the way from the conception of the dream in March 1992 to its birth and its becoming a reality in the opening of Wellsprings on September 19th, 1995. To the Sisters in St. Marie’s for their generosity and support, I say a very sincere thank you.  I remember with love and gratitude those Sisters who have gone to their eternal reward, may they enjoy everlasting peace.

I have been honoured to be a part of their journey over a period of twenty two years. I will forever cherish the memory of those years as I hold each of those extraordinary and wonderful young women in my heart. Please pray for the manager and the staff of Wellsprings as they continue care of and support of many young vulnerable women in our society. They are an excellent team.  May God bless them and the girls always.’

Joan O’Leary rsm
Southern Province