Page 2 - 2025 Summer Our Hands

SamaritasScoop

BY DAVE MORIN, CEO

At Samaritas, we are celebrating our 91st We have the only family homeless shelter in I personally believe this is one of those
year as a faith-based organization. We have a western Wayne County that can serve 85 moments where our faith and work are
huge impact on the state — last year, we individuals at any one time. The wait list being called into the spotlight. It is a
served over 38,000 individuals in 60 there is 1,000. unique time that we must respond to by
different communities. Our mission stepping up and serving those who have
statement is simply, "serving people as an And, we are the largest resettler of refugees the least.
expression of the love of Christ," and service in Michigan. Over the last four years we
and mission are at the heart of what we do. have served over 17,000 refugees and while At Samaritas, we cherish our unique
new arrivals have paused, we continue to relationship with our donors, partners and
As many of you know, we are one of the find ways to deepen our support for those stakeholders and want to lean deeper into
largest child welfare agencies in the State, already here. Your support for those recently it. It takes a village to meet the needs of our
providing foster care, adoption, family arrived was so helpful. I have too many community, needs that are only going to
preservation services and homes for those stories to share about how impactful that get greater. We'd like to walk alongside
aged out of foster care. We recently appeal was. you, your congregation, your company or
celebrated our 10,000th adoption. My wife your community organization and serve
and I were just at the graduation party of The question I get asked most frequently and work together.
one of our aged out foster care clients. He these days is "how are you and Samaritas
shared at his party that because of Samaritas' doing"? Know that our team of 700 Help us learn about the needs of your
support, he was able to graduate from an continues to tirelessly serve each and every community. What other services can we
EMT training program and is now working day. Watching them serve others, quietly provide? We are looking at expanding our
for the Detroit Firefighters. He wants to start going above and beyond, is so humbling. impact. Join us in advocacy and make your
a program to help other foster youth do that. voice known. Let’s share our assets. In one
In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says congregation, we are using rooms to deliver
We provide mental health and substance use 14 “You are the light of the world. A town refugee services. At another congregation,
disorder services. We could easily double in built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do we may use their excess land to build
size and not meet the need. One client has people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. affordable housing. We host meetings in
told us of her story of domestic violence, Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives our space in Grand Rapids and Detroit.
being homeless and using substances to get light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same Let's get creative.
through life. We helped her get through this way, let your light shine before others, that they
terrible time. may see your good deeds and glorify your Father
We are all in this together and we will serve
in heaven.
We create housing solutions. We have together. We are a light on a hill.
sixteen affordable housing properties across
the State with 850 units. Thirteen of the
properties are senior-focused. Some have a
five year wait list. At our most recently built
property in Spring Lake, we just housed a
veteran who had been homeless for three Dave Morin
years. Chief Executive Officer

For general inquiries, email info@samaritas.org | F or more information visit samaritas.org | Cover: Affordable Living Spring Lake Ribbon Cutti ng