Page 20 - Our Hands Spring Summer2022

AFFORDABLE LIVING
SAMARITAS RECEIVES $1.26M TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS

Over 90% of Americans believe that conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship,
and age impact a person’s health, functioning and quality of life. Community grant makers and Samaritas
recognize we all live together and therefore, we should all get together to solve the problems. These are not
easy problems to solve, but we can do so. Funders turned to Samaritas, knowing the breadth of our work with
the most vulnerable and our direct understanding of the disparities facing them.

Thanks to the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation ($50K), Samaritas is drilling down into
the challenges that prevent adolescents and adults from mental health wellbeing.
With the new electronic Health Records System, Samaritas clinicians will provide
effective treatments for clients with substance use and behavioral health disorders.
In addition, Oakland County awarded Samaritas $163K to provide innovative
vaping substance use treatment to expand mental health services in the county.
An additional Ethel and James Flinn Foundation ($150K) grant substantially Samaritas Affordable Living Community
enhances our capacity to provide adolescents with intensive treatment options in
southeast Michigan. Gets a Hand from Mercantile Bank

Breaking down systemic barriers to economic stability and safe and affordable
housing lifts the entire community. Grant funding from Community Sponsorship
Hub ($150K), Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services, and the United Ways of ercantile Bank of Michigan, one of the state’s premier building in Muskegon, which began last August. The second
Southeast Michigan and Washtenaw County enables Afghans and refugees to community banks, helped to obtain two grants $460,000 FHLBI grant will reduce the $750,000 renovation
So let's raise the final 7% secure jobs and housing. Samaritas is mobilizing community co-sponsorship teams Mfrom the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis cost for the Samaritas Affordable Living Alpena community.
for the Giving Hope Capital to welcome families and provide practical support to access services, learn English,
Campaign. Your donation will Affordable Housing Program (FHLBI AHP) to fund Samaritas Renovations for
result in Samaritas saving and adapt to a new culture. Together we will tackle intractable challenges and Affordable Living projects. As Mercantile Bank’s community the 62-unit Alpena
annual operating lease costs improve lives for the individuals Samaritas serves.
that we will redirect to help partner, Samaritas received a $500,000 grant to fund construction building include
more kids and families. on its new Muskegon building and a $460,000 grant to renovate kitchen and bathroom
The Root Cause Coalition survey, “Understanding Americans’ Perspectives and Attitudes to Achieve Health Equity”, 2021
its Alpena Affordable Living property. updates. Mercantile
Bank is donating an
“If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the average additional $23,000 of
Michigander is being priced out of housing across the state. With their own funds for
LANSING’S NUSSDORFER CENTER RENOVATION partnerships like Mercantile, we can renovate existing housing the Muskegon project
while keeping it affordable and leverage and a second $10,000 grant to shore-up funding for the Alpena
The Nussdorfer Center is Samaritas’ dollars to create new affordable housing renovation.
central facility in the Lansing region. Where communities”, said Joel Lautenbach,
staff members have their offices, we Executive Director, Samaritas Affordable Samaritas has provided affordable housing services for nearly forty
provide adoption and foster care services. Living Development. “Affordable housing years and used similar AHP funding sources to renovate its Ann
We also provide refugee services through is needed now more than ever, and I’m Arbor affordable living campus in 2020. With the opening of
our New Americans program, among glad that Samaritas is leading the way with the Muskegon building, Samaritas will have 16 affordable living
other services provided in this facility. This meaningful solutions for people who really properties on its roster. This list includes thirteen affordable
building was a gift from the Nussdorfer need help. With partnerships and new buildings for seniors, two for families and one for adults with
family. Samaritas uses about 15,000 square investments, we can make an even bigger developmental disabilities. Each community features its own
feet of the building today. Almost 4,000 impact.” unique blend of residences, amenities, and healthcare services to
square feet of space will be added through Joel Lautenbach those on a fixed, low or no income.
the renovation of this facility. Executive Director, Mercantile submitted plans to the FHLB-I
Samaritas Affordable Living If you have property that could be renovated into an Affordable
An exciting component of the remodel is for two Samaritas projects eligible for Living community, please contact Joel Lautenbach at
the creation of a new conference center AHP grant funding. As a result, Samaritas received $500,000 to Joel.Lautenbach@samaritas.org
that will enable largescale meetings to complete construction on its 53-unit
bring together teams from across the state
in one central location. The Nussdorfer
Conference Center will also serve to host
important events like board meetings and
training for program teams. It will include
a food service area, and will bring new
restrooms to the facility as well. New
office furniture, cubicles and furnishings
throughout the facility will give our
teams an up-to-date and effective work
environment that will help Samaritas recruit
and empower the best employees to serve
our clients.

20 21