Good Samaritan Center

Planting the Seeds of Hope

Douglas Bloom, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Center

We recently had a resident who arrived at the shelter after being released from prison. He was assigned a case manager from a drug & alcohol social service agency. In my additional meetings with the resident, I provided referrals and guidance on employment opportunities, as well as other social service agencies that could assist him.

In less than a month he was able to find employment, and his case manager was able to work with another agency to provide funding for his initial month’s rent on an apartment. He now has returned to independent living and is holding down a job. I hope that this example becomes the prime example for all shelter residents who stay at our Good Samaritan Center. That’s our goal here – to get people back on their feet. This is what makes this work rewarding.

Recent changes at the Center mean that our staff can spend more time meeting our primary objective – ministering to the less fortunate in Clearfield County. We do this by providing short-term shelter for men who are homeless and connect them to supportive services so that they can return to independent living and obtain employment. These changes included selling the used furniture store building and warehouse facility earlier this year and focusing all our efforts on the Good Samaritan Center Men’s Shelter.

When an individual arrives at the shelter, I conduct an interview with him to identify his needs. After my assessment I will refer him to an appropriate social service agency that can provide him with case management services, counseling and assist him in obtaining employment and moving into permanent housing. I do a weekly check of each residents’ progress. Based on feedback from these weekly meetings, I may refer the individual to additional community resources that might help his situation.

A director of another men’s shelter told me our job is to plant the seed and then let God do the watering. I think that is a good description of what we try to do here at the Good Samaritan Center. We are dedicated to providing safe emergency shelter while working to end homelessness for each man.