By Erin Casey
Jim Vogel ’68, G’70 met his wife, Holly, at Assumption, where they studied rehabilitation counseling. Since 2000, they have called on the values and skills instilled in them during their four years at the institution to run Wellspring practice that offers support and treatment for special needs individuals. Their daughter, Gretchen Vogel Sullivan ’95, G’96, is the chief of clinical services at Wellspring, and Gretchen’s husband, Matt Sullivan ’95, is the operations manager. Karen Stack ’95, G’11 also works as a clinician there.
“The gifts we each have and appreciate were identified and developed at Assumption and carry over to this day,” said Jim, who was notably the first Assumption graduate student to complete the rehabilitation counseling program when it was pioneered with federal funding in 1970. “We have helped literally thousands of children here at Wellspring, and we are proud of our heritage that began at Assumption.”
The center encompasses 15 acres of outdoor space, eight horses, a host of other animals, and 23 outbuildings. It is designed to be a welcoming, non-intimidating therapeutic environment. Many agencies, hospitals, and school systems refer their clients to Wellspring to receive mental, behavioral, and rehabilitative health services in a hands-on farm environment.
“The work we do here has a spiritual component as we have seen so many miracles take place,” said Jim. “We understand that the strengths we have and the boundless energy to continue year after year were developed at an early stage of our own learning and confidence-building at Assumption. Three Assumption grads in one family working miracles for a special population has been a blessing. The word ‘wellspring’ implies a neverending source, and we offer a never-ending source of hope for the children and adults we serve and their families.”
