Samaritan House News

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Your E-Mail Address

NEWS BRIEFS

Samaritan House is pleased to announce the appointment of Beverly Belle-Isle as our new Director of Development. Beverly served as Executive Director of several domestic violence and child abuse agencies in Louisville, Kentucky, and was a development officer at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, an outdoor history museum in Santa Fe, NM.

Samaritan House welcomes Diana Dugan as the organization’s new Volunteer Recruiter. A former Fort Worth Chamber program coordinator, Dugan brings a wealth of experience and connections to the team.

Congratulations to Red Productions, producer of "Thomas’s Story," the Samaritan House video shown at the 2008 Out of the Box luncheon. Red Productions and director Chris Rodriguez received an Addy award for their work. The Addy is an annual award given by the American Advertising Federation for excellence in various categories of promotional materials. Thanks, Red Productions, for helping Samaritan House communicate our mission with professionalism and compassion.


	By reducing homelessness, substance abuse, crime, new HIV infections, and the demand for publicly funded medical care, Samaritan House makes Fort Worth a better place for everyone!

Samaritan House News November 2008

Letter from the President

Sue Mahoney Receives Women’s Honor

From A to Z’s…Café, that is

In the beginning was Genesis

Letter from the President

Steve Dutton

Way back when Samaritan House began, before there were such great advances in HIV medications, Samaritan House was primarily a place where people came to die. It was a final step in a difficult journey.

Fortunately, today our mission has changed dramatically. This is now a vibrant community where, more than anything else, people come to really live. This month’s stories highlight some of the great promise and hope shared among this Samaritan House family,

not only among staff and residents, but also reaching out into the greater community.

We’re still not to a point where we can claim victory over this devastating disease, but I’m always heartened when we have so many reasons to celebrate. Read on to join in our excitement and tales of success!

Sue Mahoney Receives Women’s Honor

Sue Mahoney, who is in charge of the Samaritan House Genesis Project and coordinates hundreds of volunteers annually, among many other things, isn’t the kind of person who seeks the spotlight. For years, she has done her job, and then some, helping residents get back on their feet in the community, while also connecting the community with the Samaritan House family through volunteer programs like the Supper Clubs.

But sometimes, when steady, silent service is done so well for so long, others can’t help but notice. Such is the case when the Fort Worth Commission for Women decided to honor Sue for her tireless, compassionate service.

Created by the Fort Worth City Council in 1983 to act in an advisory capacity to the Council, the commission’s purpose is to honor women’s efforts, talents and skills that specifically address issues important to other women, particularly in the area of advocacy.

"We stood before all the City Council members, including Mayor Moncrief," says Sue. "I got a proclamation and a crystal bowl from the Commission for Women. I was shocked when I first heard the news and not sure if it was real until the invitation came in the mail. It was such a big honor to me, and great to know that what I do each and every day is making a difference in someone’s life.

"I still can’t believe it," she says, "but looking at (the award on) my wall every day makes it more real."

Regardless of accolades, Sue remains focused on the less glamorous work of helping those who lack their own advocacy voices, day after day. "I realized nine years ago that I am doing something to make a difference," she says, "no matter how big or small. But each and every day someone is doing better, and hopefully living longer, due to our help."

"When I was notified that Sue was selected for this Award," says Steve Dutton, President and CEO of Samaritan House, "I smiled to myself knowing how deserving she is to receive this recognition. Sue is an employee every company wishes they had – someone who looks upon her job as her mission in life and someone who is always dedicated to doing the very best she can to fulfill that mission.

"Most nonprofit employees wear a lot of hats," says Dutton, "and Sue wears more than most, yet she seldom complains. I’m very proud of Sue, and proud that Samaritan House can offer her and her talents to the families we serve."

From A to Z’s…Café, that is

Samaritan House has always been invested in serving the "whole person," from physical needs to emotional support, self-care education and continuing education. But the Hope Works employment program has taken this A-to-Z approach to a whole new level.

Samaritan House has partnered with Janet Z. Capua, personal chef and owner of a catering company, to open Z’s café at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. And if the initial buzz is any indication of future success, the prospects for the fledgling business may exceed all expectations.

"Resident employees made food for 1,000 at the opening on Friday February 13th," says Sarah Deats, Director of Communication for Samaritan House, "and they almost ran out. Open Channel (Tonya Veasey's public relations firm) donated their services and their mailing list to make this event a big success."

Although revenue is certainly a plus, the greatest benefit may be found in the hands-on experience gained by the Samaritan House residents who work there. "The ten resident employees worked hard to get ready for that event," says Deats, "and to deal with the brisk business that has resulted from such extensive exposure."

Tasks include preparing daily box lunches for meetings that take place on-site, and many new catering jobs have added to the success of the venture.

As important, perhaps, as the practical experience is the sense of achievement gained by participating residents. "Seeing residents come back to the house feeling proud of what they've accomplished," says Deats, "and seeing the community embrace the project and express enthusiasm for what we're doing creates a great sense of teamwork among the residents. Janet and Carlo also have done an excellent job of building this team and helping the residents."

Good news travels fast, it seems, as another cafe down the street recently hired three residents in part-time positions – two as dishwashers and one as a chef – after seeing what the Z’s staff was accomplishing.

It’s not a seamless process, however, helping people who may have been previously homeless maintain a professional job regimen. "We expected a shakedown period with some degree of turnover," Deats explains, "given the fact that many of these employees have been out of the job market for a long time and some have health problems. There has been a bit of turnover, but not as much as we anticipated, and the employees who are committed are working very hard and are in it for the long haul."

Goals for the project include keeping some residents on staff at the café and increasing their hours when possible or moving some into management positions. Others will use this as a transitional position, getting themselves used to working again – or in some cases, for the first time – and learning how to be good employees.

Never too satisfied with current success, the Samaritan House staff is already looking ahead to other goals. "We are currently doing an in-depth survey of work and school interests for all our residents, to determine where we should concentrate our efforts," says Deats. "In the meantime, we work on an individual basis as we become aware of particular residents' needs."

For more information about how you can help our residents achieve their dreams of employment, please contact Rick Isaminger at risaminger@samaritanhouse.org, or call 817-332-6410, ext 197.

In the beginning was Genesis

A little more than ten years ago, when Samaritan House was still located in a modest, aging facility on Fort Worth’s far north side, the face of AIDS was quite different. For most, an HIV-positive diagnosis meant it was only a matter of time until the inevitable end came. Still, even then, some residents defied the odds, regaining enough health and independence to return to life on their own.

Some, however, needed more support than a simple farewell at the door. In addition to rent

support, clients still needed help with the rigors of daily life. The Genesis Project was created to help meet these challenges.

Placing residents in an appropriate, affordable apartment is only the beginning. Many residents needed help navigating everything from public transportation and social services to finding a job and adhering to their complex medical regimens. For the last ten years, Sue Mahoney has been that face of compassion, support, knowledge and security that has helped so many progress into a life on their own.

With nearly 200 adults and children benefitting from Genesis to date, it’s a program more intent on giving comprehensive support to those in need over time, rather than churning people through a quick program and cutting them loose. Over time, the cumulative impact has been significant.

"I really love being able to make a difference in these people’s lives and seeing them grow," says Mahoney, who manages the now much larger Genesis Project from our newer facilities in the southside Medical District. "This program is a way to give my client a chance to start over again in the community and see if they can do it again, and be successful like they might have been before they were diagnosed."

Sometimes, there’s more in the way of a resident’s success than his or her own health issues. Though HIV education has proliferated greatly in recent years, there’s still a stigma, both related to HIV/AIDS and to those with a history of substance abuse, homelessness and other issues; this stigma sometimes must be overcome in the public eye.

"I tell my landlords…that if they give my client a chance to start over, I will be there each and every month checking on them," says Mahoney, "making sure that they have paid their bills, that they have food and that they are going to their medical appointments. I also tell them that I don’t allow anyone to use or abuse drugs on this program. I want all of them to live long and happy lives and to get their families back together in one household, and someday not to need our assistance."

One of the best things about success is the attractive effect it has on others. The more people in the community hear about the lives being changed every day here at Samaritan House, the more I am asked about how they can be a part of what we do.

Whatever your resources, talents or passions, we certainly have a place where you can help. Click here to learn about the many volunteer opportunities now available, or visit our home page to keep up with other events coming your way. And as always, thank you for your support – we would not be here without you!