Page 6 - Our Hands Spring 2020

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

Church “What if we could change the lives of one

Champions person, one family, and one community
for generations to come?”

hat is the question Judy Zehnder Keller raised early Through Get to Work, we will partner with other local non-
last year. Judy is the President (and Founder) of the profits with clients who need a start or fresh start in successful
T Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. As she was employment. Get to Work participants will receive “essential
learning more about the programs and services Samaritas skills” training like interview preparation, being on time — and
provides in Southeast Saginaw, she wondered if young people, dependable, working as part of a team, setting up a personal
their siblings and parents might want to start/restart their work budget, and more!
history by joining the housekeeping team at the Bavarian Inn
Lodge. We will also be a partner with local employers who need
to hire and retain dependable team members in entry-level
As part of a pilot last year, Daniel Soza and the Samaritas roles so they can successfully transition to more and better
Community Center team worked with Judy to recruit opportunities.
individuals in the local community who want and need to
work, provide training and then transport 4-8 people daily to The Drive to Succeed program will assist individuals with
their jobs at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Individuals who succeed one-time or short-term transportation challenges that might
in housekeeping quickly earn opportunities for pay increases otherwise keep them from work — resources like ride sharing,
and promotion opportunities in a wide array of hospitality gas cards, etc.
service lines. For those starting work for the first time — or those for whom
With lessons learned in 2019, this year United Way of Saginaw employment has not been successful in the past — a new job
County awarded nearly $75,000 to help enhance and expand CAN be a NEW Start. We know when one person succeeds —
two new programs — Get to Work and Drive to Succeed. the ripple effect can be powerful for their family, and for the
community, both today and in the future.
Photo courtesy of lodgeres.bavarianinn.com

Corporate COVID-19 Champions

special thank you to the John Laing Group for donating funds for iPads and
A tablets to help keep our seniors connected with family and friends during the
COVID-19 crisis and also funds for basic needs, staff supplies and other necessities.
INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTER VISITS HEARTLINE YOU ROCK! Visit laing.com for more information. We would also like to thank the Shine Foundation
United Way of Southeast Michigan (unitedwaysem.org), United Way Heart of West
Thanks to the women of International Gospel Center for supplying new purses for our women transitioning from incarceration, Michigan (wmuw.org), United Way of Washtenaw County (uwwashtenaw.org) and
homelessness and/or human trafficking at our Samaritas House Heartline program in Detroit. These purses were filled with many more for donating funds for iPads and basic necessities for all the people in our
handwritten notes of encouragement along with personal care items. Their gifts were gratefully received with cheers and hugs! care, including seniors, homeless families, foster families, New Americans, people
with disabilities and residents in our affordable living communities.
Help us support children, families, seniors in need! To donate to the Samaritas COVID
Throughout this issue, you will see these photos and information Crisis Fund, visit our website samaritas.org/covid-19-crisis-fund
about our foster children waiting for their forever family. Thank you!

John Darius

It’s easy to picture John sitting down and hunched over in a fist-to-chin Darius is a very active, outgoing and smart kid. He likes school and
pose like “The Thinker.” This bright and curious young guy is said to has shown great progress in his studies. Darius loves the computer and
think deeply and ask many questions. John is an eager learner who enjoys playing all different types of games on it. One of the things he
pushes himself to keep up with others. likes most is Star Wars.

For more information visit samaritas.org For more information visit samaritas.org

6 7