Stay Updated on Latest News from the Well Community
Wishing Others Well
Catherine and Nelson Downing first visited the Well Community about 15 years ago at the invitation of a friend who regularly volunteered. “It was the annual Christmas party,” Catherine recalled. “At that time members submitted the name of something they would like to have as a Christmas present, and the staff would purchase these items with donated funds. The gifts were wrapped in bright paper […]
Well Wishers: Providing Stability for Members, Month After Month
Serious mental illnesses add multiple layers of instability to the lives of our members. Unsettling and sometimes unpredictable symptoms upend their routines and construct barriers that prevent them from connecting with others. For many, these conditions rob their ability to work, throwing them into ongoing financial struggles and, at times, homelessness. And, while treatment can help, these illnesses have no cures; for so many individuals […]
A Well World: Support in Every Season
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” That famous phrase sums up 2025 for members of the Well Community. There were many bright moments: retreats, Thursday Night Life, daily devotions, games, crafts, life-skills training and shared meals. Members found friendship, compassion and understanding—a rare refuge from the poverty, stigma and isolation that come with severe mental illness. These moments of […]
The Gift of Seeing
Well Community members sometimes tell us that in the larger community, they feel invisible. This is sad evidence of one of the greatest harms of serious mental health conditions: They rob people of being truly seen. So often, the symptoms of their diseases create barriers that make it hard for them to be known as more than their illnesses and to experience the blessings of […]
A Well World: Greatly Grateful
As we pause this Thanksgiving season to consider what we’re grateful for, I’m struck by the abundance of truly incredible reasons we have for giving thanks this year. And so, as we reflect, I’d like to share some of these reasons with you and invite you to join in our gratitude:
Inviting Greater Impact
The Well was honored to receive a generous donation from civil engineering firm Pape-Dawson as part of the company’s efforts to “give back.” We recently talked with Andrew Finney, a land planner at Pape-Dawson, about his experience volunteering at the Well and why he chose to nominate the Well Community to benefit from his employer’s charitable foundation. How did you first hear about the Well […]
From Caregiver to Caregiver: Doable Tips for Navigating the Holidays
Jessica, a friend of the Well Community who cares for her dad, shares practical tips for caregivers during the holidays. It’s a little ironic that the season that’s hyped as the most wonderful time of the year can be one of the most stressful and complicated—perhaps especially for caregivers of those living with mental illnesses. The routines and support systems we rely on are often […]
A Well World: A Spooky Celebration of Community
All year long, friends of the Well Community give of themselves, their time and their resources so that our members can enjoy a place of belonging and support. But each October, many of them gather in a special way to give together—and have a blast while doing it.
Monster Mash: Generous Fun
“Before the Well Community began meeting at our church, Cliff Temple Baptist, I was teaching Sunday school, and Joel Pulis* started bringing a couple of people to my class who turned out to be some of the first Well members.” Ever since these early days, Jeff and his wife, Violet, (and often with their daughters) have been “full on” as volunteers and donors for the […]
Breaking Down Stigma Through Personal Interaction
We often talk about the many myths surrounding mental illness and how these misconceptions play a role in perpetuating stigma: negative thoughts, attitudes and assumptions about a person because he or she lives with a mental health condition. Knowing the truth is important because misinformation impacts not only thoughts but actions, often leading to discrimination, avoidance and unkindness. But, while stigma is often attributed to […]