For Immediate Release
December 24,2015
Contact: Maggie Fronk
executivedirector@wellspringcares.org
518.583.0280
Wellspring to expand services to adult survivors of sexual assault in Washington County.
Citing the recent decision of The Adirondack Health Institute to stop providing victim support to adult survivors of sexual assault in Washington County, Wellspring has announced that the agency will begin expanding their existing comprehensive sexual assault victim services to include these individuals beginning December 31, 2015.
In response to the imminent gap in victim assistance services, Wellspring will be providing services to adult survivors of sexual assault in Washington County, including a 24-hour hotline, accompaniment to Glens Falls Hospital for support in sexual assault forensic exams, assistance in completing applications for victim compensation from the New York State Office of Victim Services, follow up counseling and case management, and legal advocacy such as court accompaniment.
Noting the importance of providing comprehensive care in helping survivors of sexual assault to begin the healing process, Wellspring executive director Maggie Fronk said, “Wellspring is fully committed to not only providing an immediate response to a critical need, but will actively seek funds to provide a comprehensive response to address sexual assault in Washington County.” Fronk noted that right now Wellspring’s primary focus is insuring that victims know who to contact for support and community providers have the information to make referrals, “The Adirondack Health Institute and Wellspring have worked collaboratively to ensure that sexual assault victims will not have any gap in service. Beginning December 31st, anyone requiring assistance can call Wellspring’s hotline at 518-584-8188 for 24/7crisis or support services.”
Wellspring provides crisis intervention via hotline and emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, comprehensive case management, support groups, and other services to over 1,000 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County each year. Additionally Wellspring believes the best treatment is prevention, and therefore offers numerous community outreach, prevention, and issue awareness programs for schools, community and professional groups, and businesses alike. All services are confidential and free of charge. Contact the 24-hour hotline at 518-584-8188 for assistance.
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ABOUT WELLSPRING: At Wellspring, our mission is to support survivors and engage our community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Each year, our crisis intervention and survivor services support more than 1,000 clients—providing safe housing to adults and children either fleeing or homeless because of domestic violence, as well as comprehensive support in the form of counseling, legal advocacy, and case management. While helping victims in need is a core focus of the agency’s mission, we know that by increasing awareness we can end intimate partner violence. Wellspring staff provides prevention and education programs to school-aged youth, as well as training and education programs for parents, faith based congregations, and professional organizations.
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