This month, we were blessed enough to be a partnered site for Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Respond Day 2016. Located in Bethesda, MD, Fourth Presbyterian makes it a yearly tradition to dedicate themselves to community organizations working to eradicate poverty and serve those in need. Melissa Voorhees, one of the volunteers and members of the church, shared how the pastor’s mission statement for the church is for them to be “a gospel centered community involved in neighbor loving service.”
This year’s project was to clean and paint our Lazarus House Community Room, where our Adult Treatment Program hosts classes. Before the group began their work, Lynette Daniels, the Co-Director of our Affordable Housing Communities Program, shared some powerful stories about our program and emphasized to our volunteers that they should “never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint” and a new start.
The room looks wonderful and so much brighter. When sharing about her experience at Samaritan Inns for Respond Day, Melissa stated, “My favorite part of being at Samaritan Inns, apart from just spending good, useful time with friends of like mind and purpose, was sitting down for lunch with the people who have found safe haven there. It was encouraging to see that people in need are being helped. Grace and peace and gratitude in the faces around us.”
The clients, and our staff, are so grateful for Fourth Presbyterian’s day of service. Look forward to seeing you again next year!
