Samaritan House News August 2007

Lori Sapp - A Decade of Service
Back To School Blitz
“Hooping” It Up For Health

Lori Sapp – A Decade of Service
By Ted Lovato

It’s been just a little over ten years since Lori Sapp began her work with Samaritan House, back in March of 1997. I’m sure when she started, she wondered what she had gotten herself into. As an agency, we were in our early years, struggling to find people to fill our often vacant positions. The Medical Case Manager job proved to be the most difficult to fill because of the grueling responsibility of taking care of our clients back then.

Ten years ago, when AIDS medications were far less effective than they are today, the effects of the disease were much worse, and Samaritan House residents were usually sicker and often near death. Finding the right person to care for our Samaritan House residents was difficult because society was not educated regarding the epidemic. We were lucky to find Lori Sapp.

Lori came into the agency with an energy that rivaled that of her co-workers. She soon proved to be dedicated to the cause, and she gave exceptional care to the residents of Samaritan House, as well as the staff. She became our touchstone in many regards, and everyone went to her with their ailments. She happily obliged by giving her medical opinions, helping out whenever she could. She has been a consummate team member and a model for all of us.

Since Lori’s first day, 404 residents have come through our doors. She has booked an estimated 214,000 units of Medical Case Management. In addition to serving the hundreds of residents who have recovered and thrived under her care, Lori has also been witness to over 100 people who have passed away during her tenure. She has had the honor of caring for and watching over residents while preparing them for the next stage of their journey. She has held their hand and offered comfort in so many different ways. I believe that every one of those who have left us is still watching over us today, grateful for the compassion and skill Lori brought to her work at Samaritan House.

We have had a lot of fun while Lori has worked here too. Over the years, she has been a participant in water balloon fights, camping trips, parties, shaving cream escapades, garage sales, fundraisers, movies, ballgames and many other fun-filled activities. She has been a real sport, even when she was the butt of the fun. Lori knows how to have fun and let her hair down every now and then.

Lori also has become a good friend to many of the staff who have walked through our doors. She has been a true friend to me too. I have appreciated her professionalism, her dedication to the residents, and her zest for a good audit, if there is such a thing! Her shoes will be hard to fill. We will miss her.

Lori is now returning to work for Community Hospice, the organization where she worked before she came to Samaritan House more than a decade ago. They are lucky to have her, but as she told me this morning, she will have time to stop by for lunch, volunteer if asked, and continue to be a part of our future.

Each person that comes to and goes from Samaritan House takes a part of our heart with them. In Lori’s case, she is not only taking part of our heart, she is also taking many friendships and memories of the people that she loved and cared for along with her. She will serve as our legacy in the community, and will continue to enlighten the lives of the people that she serves.

Lori, we bid you farewell and wish you good luck with your new adventures in life. Please know that our door is always open to you and that you will always be a part of our lives.

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Back To School Blitz
For Samaritan House staff members Rick Isaminger and Sue Mahoney, helping kids get ready for the new school year is a new but welcome challenge.

It is only in the past year, with the opening of the Villages at Samaritan House, that we have had the capacity to serve entire families, rather than just adults living with HIV/AIDS. With this dramatic change in demographics have come many new opportunities.

“It’s great to provide a supportive environment where children can grow,” says Mahoney, one of the coordinators of a recent school supply shopping trip for children of Samaritan House residents. “We want them to be able to learn from positive role models, and to have choices that don’t involve drugs, alcohol or gangs.”

Isaminger and Mahoney took a vanload of kids to a local store recently to pick up necessary clothes, school supplies and backpacks for the coming year. Though this might be a routine filled with dread and drudgery for many families, the outing was met with hugs and beaming smiles from many of the children.

“They all hugged us and thanked us for helping make their school year a good one,” says Isaminger, program coordinator for the children’s activities. “The day after shopping, some of them came to the office and had on their new clothes. They wanted to show everyone else what they got.”

In addition to the shopping venture, Samaritan House has offered a number of other summer activities, including movie days, arts and crafts events and other outings to landmarks and recreational sites around the community. On August 9th, the kids took a field trip to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. On September 1st they attended the Cowboys of Color Rodeo.

Though the children are a delight and always appreciative of the time and attention, the program is not without its challenges.

“We’re constantly trying to find money to assist these children with school clothes, school supplies, shoes and such when their families don’t have the money to buy them,” says Isaminger. "We also need volunteers to help with after-school tutoring, recreational events and educational activities."

For more information about upcoming children’s events and related needs, please contact our Family Health and Education Coordinator at (817) 332-6410, ext 197.

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"Hooping" It Up For Health
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks understands the reality of HIV and its continuing impact on the community he serves. When he was asked to serve as co-chair for Samaritan House’s Hoops 'n Harmony, which includes a basketball tournament, a concert and health fair, he knew it was an important way he could help.

“I have been involved in the HIV/AIDS crisis for over fifteen years as a volunteer,” says Brooks, “and I realize the urgent need of educating the community. When I first heard about Hoops 'n Harmony and its mission to educate the African-American community, I was excited to be a part of this important challenge.”

Brooks and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Giddings Brooks, are honorary chairs of what hopefully will become an annual community event.

This all-day event will include a three-on-three age-bracketed basketball tournament and a health fair that will offer testing for HIV, obesity, cholesterol, glaucoma, and diabetes, as well as blood pressure readings and a bone marrow registry. Hoops n’ Harmony is designed to target the entire community, with a special focus on the unique needs of the African-American community. The goal this year is to reach more than 5,000 people.

“I truly believe in the mission of Samaritan House,” says Brooks. “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.”

Brooks has had a long career in public affairs. He served for fourteen years as Precinct Administrator for Tarrant County, Precinct One. Additionally, he served three terms on the City Council for the City of Forest Hill, during which time he served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years. Brooks has several priorities during his first term as commissioner, including health care for the homeless, prisoner re-entry programs, and Team Health, a Tarrant County Public Health initiative to reduce minority health disparities.

The Hoops 'n Harmony tournament will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8th. Former Dallas Maverick Derek Harper is the special guest at this event, and the 6:00 p.m. concert is hosted by Sam Putney and features nearly a dozen artists, including Linny Nance. There is no charge for admission to the health fair, and tickets to the basketball tournament and concert are $5.

Attendees also will be able to apply for one of two $3,000 scholarships, offered by First Command Educational Foundation.

For more information about the concert, or to register for the tournament, please contact the Event Coordinator by email at info@samaritanhouse.org or call (817) 332-6410, ext 165. Tournament space is limited to the first 60 teams, so apply today to ensure your team’s place in the event.

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