Good Samaritan

Most people lose everything on their journey through homelessness—even the essentials. So, when a person working with Good Samaritan exits homelessness, we provide them with a Welcome Home basket. These laundry baskets are filled with household and personal essentials—it's one less thing for someone to worry about on their journey toward thriving. We're so grateful to First Presbyterian Church of Holland for collecting an essential item drive. Because of their generosity, we will be able to assist many households exiting homelessness to get started in their new homes with the essentials they will need! If you'd like to learn more about how your organization can get involved in providing the essentials to families leaving homelessness behind, reach out to our team: hello@GoodSamOttawa.org.

2023 was a big year at Good Samaritan. With a record level of people reaching out for help and support, we were able to move the needle on our mission to end homelessness and poverty in our community. + 707 evictions were prevented, helping individuals and families remain stably housed. And 99.6% of those preventions remained stably housed three months after finishing Good Samaritan's programming. + Good Samaritan was also named one of six agencies across the state to participate in a pilot program to help limit the trauma of homelessness by avoiding emergency shelter stays. + 145 households exited homelessness and entered affordable, safe, and stable housing. + And while nearly 1 in 3 Ottawa County households are struggling to survive, our programs to end poverty through Circles Ottawa County helped dozens of people continue on their path toward becoming thriving neighbors contributing to a vibrant community. Thank you to everyone who's supported this important work and helped connect people to Good Samaritan when facing homelessness or a housing crisis. Read more about Good Samaritan's impact:

We're #hiring a new Director of Lakeshore Housing Alliance in Holland, Michigan. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #Hiring a new Director of Advancement! As Good Samaritan's Director of Advancement, you'll share the great story of the incredible work being done to change lives and invite people to join the mission. If you hope to be unleashed to build relationships, enhance your strategic problem-solving skills, hone your organizational strengths, grow as a communications professional, and find a space where your abilities to lead with compassion and integrity result in meaningful community impact, we look forward to hearing from you. See the full job description and apply: GoodSamOttawa.org/careers

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, first and foremost, a minister. He believed that every human is created in the image of God. In his final book, Dr. King wrote, "The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty." Good Samaritan began a short time after Dr. King's assassination because we, too, believe all humans are created in God's image. And we, too, believe it is time for the end of poverty.

Community service is all about stepping up to make our communities more equitable and taking action to build the world we want to live in by starting locally. Good Samaritan is proud to be a community service organization serving all of Ottawa County. We proudly serve and support any person in our community who experiences homelessness, a housing crisis, or poverty. Making time for community service on MLK Day of Service, this coming Monday, is a great way to engage with your community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King. What you do makes a world of difference. Consider attending MLK Day at the Holland Museum, or perhaps you can serve a meal for an upcoming Circles meeting (sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g7tyGNkX), or find another way to serve your community to make a difference! #givingeverytuesday #MLKDay #EndHomelessness #EndPoverty

Just Announced: We're looking for our next Eviction Prevention Team Lead! Be a part of a purpose-driven, mission-focused organization and lead one of the key teams at Good Samaritan! The Eviction Prevention Team Lead supports and works alongside staff as they engage with tenants, landlords, and Courts to reduce evictions in Ottawa County. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gg-_TjsW #NowHiring

How will you make a positive impact on those around you this year? At the start of every year, many of us find ourselves setting New Year’s resolutions. In addition to setting your usual goals, consider taking on a new resolution this year: one that positively impacts yourself and the world around you. Giving brings you interesting and challenging opportunities that might not come along otherwise and can help with making social connections to relieve the stress of isolation—overall helping you develop and grow as a person. It's the perfect resolution! How are you resolving to make an impact in 2024? What's your goal?

Your $100 donation this weekend could provide the daycare deposit for a child experiencing homelessness, allowing their parent the opportunity for stable employment and higher income. Support Good Samaritan's work to end homelessness and poverty in our community: https://lnkd.in/gwnVctZb

Please join us for a moment of silence today at noon. Good Samaritan’s vision for Ottawa County is to be a healthy, engaged, and compassionate community—where homelessness is rare overall and brief when it does occur. Today is the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year. And coinciding with the darkest day, we remember those who've lost their lives while experiencing homelessness. We recognize that—despite the incredibly hard work of Good Samaritan and our many community partners—people experiencing homelessness die on the streets every year. Together, we can work toward a healthy, engaged, and compassionate community. But it takes all of us. Today, you can help us end homelessness in our community. Support Good Samaritan’s work to get every person housed and out of poverty: https://lnkd.in/gwnVctZb