Samaritan Inns

Combating Homelessness & Addictions. Rebuilding Lives.

Image HTML map generator
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Mission & History
    • Parable of the Good Samaritan
    • Stories of Hope
    • Letter from the President
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Board
    • Our Partners
    • Financial Reports
  • Our Programs
    • Adult Treatment Program
    • Transitional Living Program
    • Long-Term Recovery Program
    • Women with Children Program
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Beautification Days
      • Dinner Fellowships
      • Your Talents
      • Worship Service
    • Tournament of Hope
    • Campaign for Hope
      • Campaign Goals
      • Initiatives
      • Leadership
    • Monthly Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Wish List
    • Shopping with Us
    • Work with Us
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Video Library
    • Media Coverage
    • Newsletters & Press Releases
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Archives for Affordable Housing Communities Program

Ernestine: A Story of Hope…and Gratitude

October 31, 2018 by Justin Feltman

9X4A4587Ernestine received a commendation from the AARP Foundation Experience Corps for her volunteer work as a kindergarten tutor. She says “It’s really an honor to help those children. When they first come in, they don’t know how to read. But they’re willing to learn. And, at the end of the school year, they’re reading something to me. When I was a little girl, I used to say that when I grew up I’m going to be a teacher. I’m so grateful for this opportunity today, and I know God is working in my life.”

Ernestine wasn’t always grateful. She came from a large family (11 children!) with both parents in her life and employed. “I had a good childhood. We weren’t well off, but my parents were able to make ends meet.” Yet, she started hanging out with girls who felt they deserved more.

At 21, she started using drugs when she went out clubbing with friends. She got hooked on heroin. But she was able to get clean before.

Then, she had to have surgery for an ulcer on her leg. She was given pain meds and got addicted to them. Which lead right back to heroin. “It was terrible to actually want to stop, but can’t.”

Ernestine received chemical dependency services at another institution. She met Lynette Daniels, the Co-Director of Samaritan Inns’ Affordable Housing Communities program, who suggested she apply to Samaritan Inns for the long-term recovery program. She was supposed to vacate the program where she was staying, but they gave her a one-month extension. They said ‘If you’re going to Samaritan Inns, we know you’ll get help there.’ So they extended my stay until I can get in to Lazarus House (one of Samaritan Inns Affordable Housing Communities).”

She said Samaritan Inns forces her to have accountability through suite meetings, and keeping close contact with staff. The program provided her with structure. “I’m used to doing what I want to do, the way I want to do it. That doesn’t work here. Today, I’m in a safe place, doing things I need to do to make me better.”

SKM_C25818102916510
Ernestine with her fellow volunteer tutors

Classes on budgeting and financial management is a key feature of the program. Ernestine is saving money through the Environmental Stability Program (ESP) of the DC Department of Behavioral Health. “I got one of those big Deer Park bottles, and all my change goes in there!” Of all the organizations participating in this program, Samaritan Inns has been awarded the highest allocation of funds, which helps residents with their rent as long as they save at least half of their income. This past year, the participants in the ESP program saved a record $190,000!

In addition to tutoring a new group of kindergartners, Ernestine is looking forward to her first plane ride in February: a trip to Los Angeles to attend the 55th International Women’s Conference, for female members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I thank God for giving me this chance. God is good.”

 

 

Filed Under: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Testimonies Tagged With: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Elisha House

Perry’s Journey

July 26, 2017 by Justin Feltman

shaw“My name is Perry. I’m from Washington, DC, born and raised …”

 

I used heroin for about 42 years. All I knew was using. I started using crack in conjunction with the heroin use, and that brought me all the way to my knees. I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t handle heroin. I was glad when I got busted. I got [sentenced to] five years. I was like, “Thank you, God, now I can stop.” And since that time, I hadn’t had an interest in using.

Then I came home, went to a transition house, the Coalition for the Homeless. I stayed there 17 months. My counselor said it’s time to go a little further and put me with Thaddeus [a counselor at Samaritan Inns]–we grew up in the same neighborhood. We lived three blocks from each other! I interviewed with Thaddeus and I’ve been at Lazarus House coming up on six years.

Samaritan Inns is clean. Secure. A place that’s going to allow me to save some money. It’s a clean environment where everyone’s not using. I wouldn’t have excellent credit with money at my disposal, without Samaritan Inns. I would have had to leave that transition house and move into market rent.

And then last year I was set back with cancer. I knew that God always had something for us to go through…and it’s something that has brought me back to earth. Even though I’ve been diagnosed with it, it’s terminal, I’m alright with that too. Something’s going to happen to everybody and I’m not excluded.

I’m just satisfied with everything. For me to be alive still…I shouldn’t be. I’ve made a connection with God. I made a connection with my family. I’m happy with me. Totally happy with me. And I’m still here. Long as I don’t suffer, I’m ready.

Back to Blog

Filed Under: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Alumni, Testimonies Tagged With: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Alumni, Lazarus House

Deloitte makes an impact at the Tabitha House

June 13, 2017 by Michael Hochstein

P1000825

Deloitte has always been a good friend to Samaritan Inns, especially due to the work of Paul Gallagher III, who is not only a principal of Strategy and Operations at Deloitte Consulting but also a member of the Samaritan Inns Board of Directors. This Friday Deloitte brought out a great team for one of their Impact Days to help make the Tabitha House shine again!

The team arrived at the Tabitha House, one of the buildings in our Longer-Term Housing Program, and heard from our President, Larry Huff, about the Samaritan Inn mission, impact, and how much this day meant. Steve, one of our residents, also came down and gave a testimony to the group, making the vital role that the Tabitha House has in our residents’ lives very tangible. The Tabitha House is the rock our residents need to rebuild their lives, and they were here to keep that rock solid.

They then split up to tackle two projects, painting a stairwell from top to bottom and making the landscaping brand-new again. The painting crew first primed then painted the four-story stairwell, and the landscaping crew weeded and mulched the grounds along with planting several trees. Both groups did a wonderful job, working tirelessly and finishing ahead of schedule!

Back to Blog

Filed Under: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Events, Testimonies, Volunteers Tagged With: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Deloitte, Tabitha's House, Volunteer, Work Day

Princeton University’s Work Day for Samaritan Inns

April 12, 2017 by Justin Feltman

One of the last associations you think of when you think of Spring Break would be addiction recovery education. But for Princeton University’s Breakout Trip,
that’s exactly what they pursued, a great understanding of treatment, drug and substance use disorder policy, and people in recovery. Over the course of the week, they met with the DEA, advocacy groups, and an author for insight. Samaritan Inns was privileged to be one of the stops along the way.

IMG_7395As an organization that has served DC since 1985, we taught the students about lessons we have learned over the years, as well as the changes in the political and social environment in which we serve. After that orientation, the students got to work, beautifying the yard of Elisha House, one of our Affordable Housing Communities, and making lunch for the clients in our Adult Treatment Program.

Sharing his thoughts on the day, Noah (Class of 2019) shared, “This was a great day because it is our only time we are doing hands-on service work during this week, and it was very fulfilling to tangibly assist an organization that works on the ground level to help drug users. It was fascinating to see how many people play small roles to address the problems of drug abuse and enact change.”

The day was certainly a success, not only making our communities more welcoming but also, through a delicious lunch and fellowship, provided a midweek pick-me-up and brought joy to our clients, all of who loved the food and the company! We are grateful to our volunteers, both locally and across the country, who invest their time in our programs and in our clients. Even the smallest gestures can go a long ways.

Princeton, thank you for your service. You are welcome back any time!

 

Back to Blog

Filed Under: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Men’s and Women’s Treatment Program, Volunteers Tagged With: Adult Treatment Program, Dinner Fellowship, Elisha House, Volunteer, Work Day

Samaritan Inns & The Deeds of Kindness

December 29, 2016 by Justin Feltman

Christmas is a time of giving and, we here at Samaritan Inns were more than happy to take part! This year, Samaritan Inns partnered with Deeds of Kindness Outreach Services, a community organization dedicated to aiding suffering humanity in the DC Metro area through community-based programs and events that foster self-improvement and personal empowerment.

Samaritan Inns decided to support their mission this Holiday season. Our Affordable Housing Communities Program conducted a donation drive, collecting nonperishable food items and clothing from our residents to give to Deeds of Kindness families. Furthermore, Samaritan Inns receives turkeys through Food 4 Families, supported by NBC 4 and the Washington Wizards. This year, we were able to pass some of those along to Deeds of Kindness to support their families, and bring holiday cheer.

We have truly enjoyed this new partnership. We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our support beyond our program and serve throughout the DC community. Feeling truly blessed this holiday season and we look forward to extending our service with Deeds of Kindness throughout the year!

 

Back to Blog

Filed Under: Affordable Housing Communities Program, Partnerships, Staff, Volunteers Tagged With: Christmas, Events, partnerships, Staff

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »
Image HTML map generator Image HTML map generator Image HTML map generator Image HTML map generator Image HTML map generator

Samaritan Inns
2523 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
Tel: Development 202.667.8831 · Treatment Program 202-328-2833
Fax: 202.667.8026
 
 
Copyright © 2021, Samaritan Inns, All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Threshold Technologies, Inc.
Samaritan Inns
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Mission & History
    • Parable of the Good Samaritan
    • Stories of Hope
    • Letter from the President
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Board
    • Our Partners
    • Financial Reports
  • Our Programs
    • Adult Treatment Program
    • Transitional Living Program
    • Long-Term Recovery Program
    • Women with Children Program
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Beautification Days
      • Dinner Fellowships
      • Your Talents
      • Worship Service
    • Tournament of Hope
    • Campaign for Hope
      • Campaign Goals
      • Initiatives
      • Leadership
    • Monthly Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Wish List
    • Shopping with Us
    • Work with Us
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Video Library
    • Media Coverage
    • Newsletters & Press Releases
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Mission & History
    • Parable of the Good Samaritan
    • Stories of Hope
    • Letter from the President
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Board
    • Our Partners
    • Financial Reports
  • Our Programs
    • Adult Treatment Program
    • Transitional Living Program
    • Long-Term Recovery Program
    • Women with Children Program
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Beautification Days
      • Dinner Fellowships
      • Your Talents
      • Worship Service
    • Tournament of Hope
    • Campaign for Hope
      • Campaign Goals
      • Initiatives
      • Leadership
    • Monthly Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Wish List
    • Shopping with Us
    • Work with Us
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Video Library
    • Media Coverage
    • Newsletters & Press Releases
  • Contact Us