Combating Homelessness & Addictions. Rebuilding Lives.
On December 6th, DAVIS Construction and Clark Construction held their annual benefit breakfast for Samaritan Inns. Monday Properties graciously opened their roof deck, recently built by DAVIS Construction, in Rosslyn with panoramic views of the city.
We are grateful to their generosity and commitment to our mission, which made the launching our Transitional Living Program possible!
While many college students spend their Summers relaxing and recovering from a stressful school year, Michael Hochstein, a Psychology & Biochemistry double major at Mount St. Mary’s University, spent his summer with Samaritan Inns. As classes start up again this week, we asked Michael to reflect upon his experience.
What made you want to work for Samaritan Inns?
I wanted to put my time and energy [this] summer into an organization that made a real positive impact in the world of mental health. Upon looking at my options, I saw that Samaritan Inns does just that. It’s people pouring everything they have into helping the homeless and treating their mental illnesses. That is something I wanted to be a part of.
What are some of the things you learned while here?
I learned and refined some basic skills, like Microsoft office. I also got to photograph and write a blog post about Deloitte’s Impact Day, where they came in and helped beautify one of the [Affordable Housing Program Buildings] for the residents. I also gained more insight into the mental health treatment process and got to meet plenty of amazing people!
I honestly did love my time there, I got to do a lot of things I didn’t expect but that helped me become more well-rounded.
What are your future goals (education & career)? Has this experience changed them?
I hope to eventually get an MD and work as a psychiatrist in a psych ward.
This experience didn’t change my goals as much as strengthened my resolve to achieve them. I saw all the work that Samaritan Inns does and the positive impact it has, and knew more than ever before that I needed to be a part of something like it. Mental health is neglected in our world but is so very important.
What was your favorite part of working for Samaritan Inns?
My favourite part of working for Samaritan Inns had to be the [Clark Construction cookout], where some executives came and cooked for the residents and then we all ate together. It was a very cool experience to see these important men make a point to serve and to interact with the residents.
Any suggestions for anyone interested in interning for Samaritan Inns?
My suggestions would be to make yourself and your skills known to everyone in the office.Be willing to do any job, even if it is new to you. They will have plenty of jobs for you, just be willing to help out. The staff and residents both greatly appreciate it!
We are truly grateful for Michael’s dedication to our mission. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in an internship with Samaritan Inns, please email us with your qualifications and areas of interest.
Earlier this month, Micaela Leroux Burch, Miss Teen DC United States, joined her school for a Dinner Fellowship at Lazarus House for our Adult Treatment Program. Recently elected to her school’s Service Board, she wanted to gain first hand experience with the programs and populations they’ll be serving. Upon learning more about our mission and the Women with Children Program, Micaela wanted to make our mission her mission.
Micaela is a 16-year-old rising senior at the National Cathedral School for Girls (NCS). Micaela believes strongly in the core values of excellent work, personal courage, personal conscience, and service to others. She is passionate about helping children learn, the earlier the better. Micaela’s academic and career interests dovetail with her service activities. She plans to conduct research and practice in psychopathology and the arts. She is interested in understanding the role that the visual and performing arts play in brain development, cognitive growth, and emotional intelligence. Micaela’s goals include master’s and doctorate degrees.
Because of her passion for early childhood development, the Child Development Center at Clark Inn seemed like a natural fit for her passion. “I appreciate that there is a program for the kids, not just the moms. I also like that it takes them out of harmful situations.” She shared that the treatment over imprisonment is also something she would like to see more of around the country. With Samaritan Inns, she hopes to learn more about how to understand this early phase of life and advocate for them. “I think that the support they have for the children ties into my interests in art and interactions [that] make a great foundation for growth.”
This week, Micaela brought joy to our children as she came, in her crown and sash, to deliver games, puzzles, and books, including her own childhood favorite, Peter Rabbit. These generous gifts are are greatly appreciated, as kids immediately put them to good use.
Nationals for the Miss Teen United States will be taking place the first week in July down in Orlando, Florida. We will certainly be rooting Micaela on from DC and can’t wait to see her, and our Child Development Center, grow together.
For more information on Miss Teen DC United States, please contact Regina Burch at reginaburch@usa.net or visit her on Facebook.
Paul Gallagher, a Principal at Deloitte, has served on Samaritan Inns Board for more than eight years. We sat down with Paul and asked him a few questions about his work with Samaritan Inns.
Why did you join the Board?
“I have been blessed in many aspects of my life and believe in giving back to society. [Attending Dinner Fellowship] opened my eyes to what people with addictions have to deal with. That meal just sort of humanized our clients a lot for me.”
Can you talk about the differences, progress or challenges that we’ve achieved since you’ve joined the board?
When I joined the board, our board was in a major transition period. We had some board members that had been around since the beginning and were leaving the board.
And we were also experiencing a major exodus of major donors [due to the 2008 financial crisis]. [We] needed a primal shift. I think Larry did a masterful job, in terms of diversifying the funding sources away from just private donors, to tapping into the public funds that are available to, to fund treatment. Obviously it was a difficult path to navigate, because you know, you want to stay true to the mission and values of what Killian had set up. Yet, you want to help our program grow and evolve.
What is one challenge Samaritan Inns currently faces?
“Delivering a service the community desperately needs in a highly regulated environment where the rule sets are not well defined is a tough enough challenge. We also need to identify and connect with donors who believe in our mission. Some of the stories I’ve heard, it’s a highly personal connection—like someone dealing with addiction in their family—It’s tough…it’s something we have to overcome; people’s belief systems that, ‘Oh they made their bed now they have to lie in it.’
There’s a stigma…but I think there’s a lot of other factors in life that lead them to develop addictions.”
What is on the horizon for this year?
“As an organization, we need to make sure the Women with Children Program continues to be successful. Because, it’s a growth area and it’s such an underserved need in the community. Also, I hope we can double or triple our social media followership. It would be great if we could establish an ‘Adopt a Client’ program…where donors could establish a personal connection with our clients.“
How can someone get involved with our mission?
“Donate to Samaritan Inns – every dollar matters. Come volunteer through preparing and serving a fellowship meal. Tell your friends and families about Samaritan Inns’ mission and ask them to donate their time, talent and treasure to further the Samaritan Inns’ mission.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
“Being on the board is incredibly rewarding…knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of the men, women we serve. And I really hope that we can continue to grow the Women with Children Program because we are making it possible for mothers participating in our program to actually raise their children and make a difference in their lives.”
The Board at Samaritan Inns is integral to ensuring our mission to serve the most underprivileged members of our communities is successful. We are very proud to have Paul’s wisdom, dedication, and passion contribute toward our goal of breaking the generational cycle of substance use disorder and homelessness in our Nation’s Capital.
On December 8th, at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, the leaders of Clark Construction Group, LLC and James G. Davis Construction (DAVIS) came together, with their business partners, to show support for Samaritan Inns’ mission, clients, and residents.
