Samaritan Inn Report

Posted by Marc A. Sparks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Aug 15, 2008

Collin County's only homeless shelter

Director's Report

Week 33/2008

August 12, 2008

There are 112 residents, 27 are children.

Weekly Statistics:

Intakes: 8

Graduates: 4

Exits: 2

Third Annual Good Samaritan Gala presented by Capital One, October 17th, Embassy Suites in Frisco

The Gala committee is hard at work. 500 guests will be seated at 50 tables of ten and 28 of those tables have already been sponsored!

We are still seeking quality items or services for our silent auction- have something to donate? Please call Molly at 972-542-5302.

The live auction promises to be very exciting- a golf trip to Pinehurst will be available to the highest bidder as well as a three day weekend in NYC complete with Broadway plays and dinner at Tavern on the Green!

Invitations will be in the mail this week and we hope you will attend- it is a great time, for a great cause!

Greater Goodies, our Samaritan Inn made truffles, have been ordered for all attendees of the Texas Homeless Network state conference to be held in Austin, September 3, 4 and 5.

A cable access station will film a spot here this afternoon and interview one of our residents.

Thursday we will speak at the McKinney Kiwanis Club.

Express Professionals, a staffing company, will offer an Interviewing Techniques course for our residents.

Brad Angle, from Capital One, will teach a Financial Literacy course to residents this week.

Two more families entered their brand new Gateway apartments last week- Dianna and her two daughters ages 7 and 12 and Jeanette a single woman. Casey Bond, our Program Manager, makes each of these moves a real occasion. Keys are presented on the official Gateway key ring, staff accompanies the new resident to their door, camera's pop, film roles and a celebratory cake is always served. People who receive a Gateway apartment are residents of the Inn who have found full time, permanent employment, have saved $500.00 and have fully committed to their future independence. They are always very proud and so are we!

Story of the Week

Tim is 55 years old. He has been at home caring for his two children for the last two years, while his wife worked. Tim wanted to find a job but suffered from untreatable debilitating depression. His wife felt he was not contributing to the family and asked him to leave. Without a job or a local support system Tim found his way to The Samaritan Inn. He was admitted on February 3rd. The very first step for Tim was for his caseworker to get him the mental health services he needed. The referral was made and Tim began taking anti-depressants and seeing a counselor. Progress was slow but by June there was visible improvement. Tim got a full time job and now says, "I finally feel like the old me again." Currently he is saving his money and hoping to graduate in September.

Sincerely,

Lynne Sipiora
The Samaritan Inn

"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." -Luke 12:48

Marc Sparks is a leading Dallas Texas start up entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Submit an application for seed funding to Marc Sparks - the Dallas entrepreneur only at www.whoismarcsparks.com.