Wellspring empowers women

Harrison News-Herald Reporter

CADIZ — Twenty years ago, Tammy Hosenfeld decided she wanted to help out mothers and families in the area.

She wasn’t sure how she was going to do it, but she knew that she had been called to it through her faith.

“I saw the need for little ones to be taken care of,” Hosenfeld said. “They’re so vulnerable. They’re our most vulnerable part of society, born and unborn. … To me, if you care enough about something or someone then you’re going to do something. That’s my motto.”

The center provides baby supplies that include everything from clothes to toys to clothing to pull-ups. Everyone gets items from the “shop” where they can pick out clothes, books, and toys among other things, all for free.

“They’ll go in and get a limited number of items each month,” Hosenfeld said. “Once they’ve seen a doctor one time they can start coming in.”

They offer pregnancy tests so from the time the woman is pregnant through the first year of the baby’s life, they can come in for any of their needs. Hosenfeld said they’re willing to help anyone and offer diapers up to age three, but that most of their focus is on the first year.

Beyond physical help, the center offers a lot of emotional support.

“We offer the material assistance and then we’re just there to encourage them,” Hosenfeld said. “In the last week, I’ve had two moms pregnant for the first time. Both single and both overwhelmed. They just burst into tears and we really encourage them. We tell them they’ll make it and we’re here for them and we’re going to help them.”

Abortion aftercare is offered at the center as well which includes a twice-yearly retreat. “It provides emotional support and healing for those who have had an abortion or have been involved in it in some way. … It’s all confidential,” she explained.

The center doesn’t ask for income level and doesn’t turn away anyone based on marital status. “We have more single, but we have a lot of married couples come in too,” she said. “They might just need a stroller or they might just need a bed so if we have that we give it to them.”

Many clients only come in one time to get a few needed items or one larger item. Hosenfeld is happy to provide for anyone in need. The Cadiz location is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and walk-ins are always welcome. Hosenfeld does request if it’s your first time in that you come before 3 p.m. to allow for registration time.

Hosenfeld has a lot of community support that she has been overwhelmingly grateful for over the years. She said there are several area churches that regularly donate and that there are individuals and clubs who feel connected to the cause as well. Some organizations will occasionally run baby showers for the center or run a diaper drive to help out.

“We appreciate the support from our communities,” she said. “We refer to them, they refer to us. We really appreciate them.”

Wellspring only runs one fundraiser a year: the Bottles for Babies Campaign where people fill baby bottles with spare change and cash. Beyond that, they rely on their regular donations of both monetary and physical items. There is a need currently for baby-care items and things they always need are large items like car seats and cribs. Any baby and toddler care products are greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions or are interested in the services the center provides, email Tammy Hosenfeld at wellspringpregnancycenter@yahoo.com.