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AFFORDABLE LIVING

Samaritas Starts Work on Second

Affordable Living Community in Muskegon

ntroducing the future of Samaritas Affordable Living. Michigan. Our residents feel like they’re part of a true
Many guests joined Samaritas on August 13th as shovels community with friendly neighbors and caring staff that
Iwent into the ground on Samaritas’ newest Affordable become like family. Samaritas designed the Muskegon
Living community in Muskegon. This $12 million project, at project to promote the ability of seniors to live safely and age
the corner of Spring Street and Webster Avenue, will feature in place with dignity.
52 new apartments available for those 55 and older. The new
community, projected to be complete in late 2022, will be Uniquely, the buildings street-level floor will become office
home to working adults, recent retirees and seniors, all ages space for Samaritas Child and Family and Persons with
55 and older. Disabilities (PWD) staff. Co-locating our staff brings synergy
between our service lines and further strengthens Samaritas’
Samaritas believes housing is the cornerstone of thriving community outreach. We are committed to providing
communities, and every person deserves safe, affordable affordable living communities throughout Michigan. You
and quality housing. In 2020, Samaritas provided safe can help support our work through sponsorships, grants
and affordable homes to 1,400 seniors and families across and community connections at Samaritas.org/Donate.

One Ripple Effect Can Change a Life
Affordable housing at Samaritas’ West Michigan Campus was the ripple for me. Less than 6 months ago I arrived with
only an air mattress and a television, however my journey started much before then.

I spent my youngest years in a Catholic orphanage and was later adopted on my 6th birthday.
My childhood was hard. I was molested and faced ongoing abuse. I sought the military as
a way to escape and joined the Army after high school. I spent 14 months in active duty. I
became pregnant while in the service and was honorably discharged.

As an adult I felt the desire to give back to the community and began to mentor other single
young moms, helping in a way that wasn’t available to me. Life still had many challenges. I
suffered from depression, and on occasion had suicidal thoughts. I even counted out pills.
My children are why I am still here. And it was my daughter that helped facilitate my move to
Samaritas.

Prior to arriving I was living in an infested apartment that wasn’t cared for. Due to this I couldn’t
bring items with me. The Samaritas team, through the generosity of donor to Samaritas, helped
get my apartment furnished and I even got some great secondhand clothes. I felt like a new
person.

In the first few weeks of settling into my apartment, I was sitting outside and had a revelation of
sorts. I watched foster care kids come and play on the playground and thought about my new
home with the confessionals kept in tack, and the transformation of the chapel. It became clear
God had brought me full circle. I was “home”. And this home was made available through Samaritas and its mission of
serving others as an expression of the love of Christ. And I felt peace. Peace I haven’t felt in a very long time.

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