Page 21 - Our Hands Spring Summer2022
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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.

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