Wayside Home in trouble
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on March 13, 2005 2:09 AM
After helping recovering women addicts for more than 20 years, the Wayside Fellowship Home may have to close its doors due to a lack of money.
"We are in a financial crisis," said Mary Winn, the home's director. "Unless we get some funds, we will have to close."
Wayside has had much of its funding cut and it is currently unable to meet its operating expenses, Ms. Winn said. She said local people have donated money and time to help keep Wayside open, but it has not been enough.
"Since Wayside's inception in 1979, we have been beset with the many financial woes facing nonprofit organizations such as ours, but we need more individuals who believe in us and will support us in our efforts to keep this home alive," said Ms. Winn.
She said Wayside Fellowship Home has been a "godsend for a lot of women who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, a place where they get help and much support. Numerous ladies have lived and worked their recoveries at Wayside and have been able to return to their community as productive and alcohol- and drug-free citizens."
The women who are currently at Wayside are writing letters to community leaders and businesses, asking for their help. And Wayside is applying for several grants.
Wayside also is sponsoring a fish fry on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the home at 1206 E. Walnut St., in hopes of raising money. Plates will be $5 each for eat-in or take-out. Orders of five or more will be delivered.
For more information about the fish fry or about Wayside itself, people can call 735-9742.