Page 22 - Samaritas Our Hands Winter 2024

FAITH IN ACTION

“Dear Friends,

Many of you have asked for updates on how our refugee family is doing. After several
weeks of disappointments in hunting for their own house to rent, I am happy to report
that they finally found an affordable 3-bedroom ranch house.

The house is minutes away from the kids’ schools. Kendrick is continuing in college
prep ESL classes, and they all have driver’s licenses. Since they have been here for a
year, they are eligible for permanent residency and have applied for green cards. They
have purchased two previously owned cars and everyone is working.
We will use the weeks ahead to prepare for another newly arrived refugee family.
While the house is empty, a few maintenance jobs must be addressed. Samaritas will
provide updated training for current volunteers and basic training for new volunteers.
We do not know who our next family will be or when they will arrive. However, we
know that Michigan will receive thousands of refugees before the end of 2024, so the
need for housing is acute. We plan to welcome a new family in January 2025 to give us
time to prepare.

So many people, directly or indirectly, have made it possible for the family to begin a
new life in America. They have enriched our lives, and we have experienced what it
means to do as Jesus said to welcome the stranger. You have all been part of that!”

THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS HELPING US SAY

THANK YOU TO SAMARITAS VOLUNTEERS!!

Our deepest thanks to quilting groups and individuals
statewide who answered the call to create Samaritas 90th
Anniversary “mug rugs” to distribute to the 605 Samaritas
volunteers statewide in 2023 who help us enhance our
services through their investment of 19,010 hours!

That equals at least $604,518 in donated hours (Value
determined by the Independent Sector).

These thank you gifts were distributed the week of
Thanksgiving to throngs of delighted volunteers!

Our deep thanks to the crafty quilters who designed
unique masterpieces - donating both their exceptional
talents and their fabric in the Samaritas colors of purple,
orange, grey and white!

Lesa Reynolds – designs pictured in photo
Katy Lutz
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Grosse Pointe Farms
Grosse Pointe Memorial Church
Christ Lutheran Church in Waterford
Lebanon Lutheran Church in White Hall