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Samaritan Inn Report - September 23, 2008

Posted by Marc A. Sparks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Sep 23, 2008

Collin County's only homeless shelter

Director's Report

Week 39/2008

September 23, 2008

There are 119 residents, 34 are children.

Weekly Statistics:

Intakes: 8

Graduates: 2

Exits: 1

Program Notes

Fellowship Baptist Church of Allen recently made a three year financial commitment to The Samaritan Inn of $15,000. Many local churches have made The Samaritan Inn part of their annual budget and we are inordinately grateful for this regular support.

A large group of Texas Instrument employees toured The Samaritan Inn on Monday afternoon and expressed much interest in our operations. TI has made significant contributions to the Inn over the years.

Many of our residents have mental health issues and we use NorthSTAR to provide for them. NorthSTAR is the mental health equivalent to Medicaid. In the past, using NorthSTAR was cumbersome, but things have changed. Effective immediately The Child and Family Guidance Center in Plano (a NorthSTAR Network Provider) will be on site once a week at the Inn to sign people up for their services. At the same time, they will schedule the individual at their clinic and their staff will provide transportation from the Inn to the clinic. This will streamline the entire process and help more people get the services they need in a timely manner.

I have been asked to speak to the board of a non profit, located in a suburb of Austin tomorrow. They are considering starting a shelter based on The Samaritan Inn model and I will present our program to them.

We will speak at 5 services at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in McKinney this weekend.

Only 27 more days to the fabulous Good Samaritan Awards gala! Tables and tickets are selling quickly and we invite all supporters of the Inn to attend this special evening and our major fundraiser of the year. We continue to seek silent auction items. Please call Janet at 214-415-6487 if you have something you would like to donate.

Another record breaking sidewalk sale was held at our thrift store last weekend- thanks to the staff of the store and all the volunteers that made it happen. Thrift store profits go directly to the Inn and make it possible for us to help more people re-gain their independence. Next sidewalk sale dates: October 25th and December 6th.

Greater Goodies, our own wonderful truffles, have had a slight recipe change and will soon be re-packaged in anticipation of Christmas sales. If you have not tried them lately-please take another taste; because they are even better and consider using them for corporate gifts, a perfect way to give twice! If you are interested in purchasing truffles, please call Toby at 214-592-2790.

Don't forget to purchase your Nationwide Tour tickets from The Samaritan Inn. The Nationwide Tour has grown to become the official proving ground for the PGA Tour and this year it will be at the TPC at Craig Ranch on November 3-9. Tickets are available for $10.00 each or ten tickets for $90.00. 100% of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the charity that sells them- so think of us and order your tickets by calling Molly at 972-542-5302.

Story of the Week

Last week we evicted our first Gateway resident. Our resident had been at the Inn for 11 months and had made remarkable progress, however once at Gateway, she relapsed and began to use alcohol again, which had played a major part in her homelessness. This was, of course, in complete violation of her program plan and the conditions of her lease. We were all very disappointed, but it is essential that we hold people personally responsible for their actions and enforce our rules. This resident has been referred to an alcohol treatment center and we are very hopeful that she will receive the help she needs. Obviously residents who are evicted from Gateway may not take the furnishings and housewares that have been donated to them. Often times relapse is part of the recovery process and it may happen two or more times before sobriety takes hold- nevertheless, Gateway residency is a privilege and the rules must be followed.