Marc Sparks Speech from the 2007 Good Samaritan Gala The Samaritan Inn provides, at no cost, a secure and clean place to live. The building has separate living areas for men, women, and families. They also have playrooms and a fully equipped playground. The Samaritan Inn serve three well-balanced meals daily and provide personal hygiene products. If necessary, clothing, coats and shoes are also available. Within this nurturing environment, experienced case managers assess each resident and their needs to develop an individual program plan with a goal of independence.
Referrals are made for support programs; legal and financial counseling; and mental and physical health services. We also offer classes in a variety of life skills- such as parenting, budgeting, job training. Individual program plans are reviewed regularly to insure that all of the necessary steps are being taken along the way to reach independence in the future.
Residents who “graduate” from the Samaritan Inn receive all the necessary items to set up their own households- from furniture and bedding to lamps, linens and cleaning supplies. On going support is also provided, for as long as necessary, to insure long term, permanent independence. In addition to our traditional program, the Samaritan Inn also provides short-term emergency shelter for those individuals who find themselves in a crisis. This may be for a single night or up to a few days. Day laborers often take advantage of this program during the cold weather months. Emergency shelter residents also receive three meals, clean clothing and use of our shower and laundry facilities.
- A single mother of three loses her job and can no longer pay her rent.
- A pregnant 18 year old is told she is no longer welcome in her family's home.
- A high tech executive loses his house after months of unemployment.
Each month of this year 200-300 homes in Collin County have gone into foreclosure. Over 200 people sleep on the streets in Collin County every night. You've heard these stories and your heart goes out to these people, but you think, "What can I do about it?" or "Can I really make a difference?"The answer is YES! You can make a huge difference by becoming involved with The Samaritan Inn. Since 1984, The Samaritan Inn, a non-profit organization, has helped thousands of homeless people in Collin County regain their independence with comprehensive programs and the help of caring individuals and corporations. The Samaritan Inn was established in 1984 after community leaders joined together to address the issue of homelessness in Collin County. Twenty three years later, The Samaritan Inn is still the only homeless shelter in a county of over 700,000 residents.
You too can make a difference, goto http://www.thesamaritaninn.org/donate.html to find out more.
God Bless you,
