Samaritan Inn Report - November 11, 2008

Posted by Marc A. Sparks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Nov 14, 2008

Collin County's only homeless shelter

Director's Report

Week 46/2008 November 11, 2008

There are 103 residents, 34 are children.

Weekly Statistics:

Intakes: 11

Graduates: 6

Exits: 3

Program Notes

A local corporation that wishes to be anonymous has given us a grant to help cover resident's prescription drugs.

Frisco Style Magazine featured the Inn last week and our truffle program and our phone has been ringing off the hook with truffle orders ever since!

Special thanks to Cadillac Pizza in McKinney who held their first fundraiser for the Inn last Sunday, they will make it an annual event.

If you have time, stop by and visit Johnny B today, tomorrow and Thurssday morning- the WKLAK DJ is living in the parking lot of Brookshire's in McKinney at Central Expressway and Virginia Street to bring awareness to the homeless problem. Our truck is also parked there to take donations.

While visiting Johnny please stop by Griffins Jewelry; when you make a $25.00 donation to the Samaritan Inn, you will receive a 1 carat cubic zirconia and become eligible to win a 1 carat princess cut diamond, valued at $5,000. The winner of the diamond will be announced live on WKLAK, Saturday at 2:45.

5 year old, Alisa Van Eerrden was told about the Samaritan Inn by her mother and decided she wanted to help. She raised $120.00 at her lemonade stand last weekend.

Governor Rick Perry was in town this week and was presented with a box of Samaritan Inn truffles as a thank you gift-no word yet on if he's tried one....

Chase Oaks Church in Plano has sponsored all of the Thanksgiving food boxes for Gateway residents and people in need in our community.

Story of the Week

Beth, age 40 and her two children, ages 10 and 12, came to the Inn on June 24th. They moved from San Antonio where Beth had a long term struggle with alcohol addiction. After joining AA and getting sober, Beth decided it would be best to get a fresh start and she and her children moved in with Beth's adult daughter in Plano. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that the apartment was too small to accommodate all of them. Since coming to the Inn, Beth has found full time employment at a department store. She attends weekly AA meetings and is in counseling. The children have both been assigned a Big Brother and Big Sister and receive tutoring three times a week in an attempt to get them up to grade level in school. Beth has met with the children's teachers and is now an active participant in her children's lives. Beth regularly attends budget management classes at the Inn and is saving money so she and the children can soon get their own home.