NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Samaritan is a facility that now offers hope for them.
*ood Samaritan began with men’s housing, expanding as
the need grew for couples, women with children and the elderly.
5esidents are also grouped according to issues. “:e try
to group people together that can empathize with each other
and grow together in their walks,” says 2’/eary. “Everyone
gets a personal plan to best serve individual needs.”
Much of what the staff Muggles concerns meeting those
needs. 'octor appointments, probation visits, '&) case
plans and other reTuirements must be coordinated with
transportation. 7he organiation has vehicles with
trained drivers, many of whom graduated from the program
themselves and returned to help. 2’/eary says many
of the residents that complete their program have their lives
changed so dramatically that they want to “pay it forward”
by staying on as staff.
Mighty Men Mechanics is one of the cottage industries
*ood Samaritan developed to not only maintain their Áeet,
but also for support and skillbuilding. 7he shop is managed
by former program resident 3atrick 3intal. $fter serving
months in prison, he returned to Good Samaritan, got married
Port St. Lucie Magazine 43
and started a family.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
“2ur businesses are a maMor source of revenue funding
our ministry,” says %itetto. “In addition, they serve a vital
role preparing residents to reenter the community. 'rugs
are impacting younger and younger people. $s such, many
residents have no employment skills when they arrive. 2ur
businesses give them the opportunity to build skills and
work around the public.”
Part of meeting residents’ individual needs means getting them to
appointments and meetings. Staff member Stacy Simon maintains the
complex whiteboard on which transportation is coordinated.
Businesses associated
with Good Samaritan
provide three things:
affordable services
for the community,
training for residents
to become productive
members of society,
and financial support.
“:hat’s neat about our businesses,” says 2’/eary, “is
the atmosphere. 7hese guys have mentors encouraging
them and teaching them. $t the end of the day, it’s not
¶/et’s go to a bar,’ but ¶/et’s go to church.’”
*ood Samaritan’s other businesses are +eavenly
&uts /andscaping, 7rinity 7rees of 3S/, )S+ )ather
Son+oly *host +ome Improvements, .ingdom Moving
and Storage, *ifts from $bove 3allet 'pcor and
Maids from +eaven &leaning Services. $ staff member
coordinates assignments, sends out invoices and makes
sure payments are received, but residents do the work.
*ood Samaritan also has an e%ay store and an onsite
thrift store.
*ood Samaritan’s month resident recovery program
operates in three phases that include classes, counseling,
group activities, church services and chores. 5esidents
are expected to remain drugfree and alcoholfree. 5ules
provide residents with the focus to adMust to normalcy,
help them gain the necessary skills for becoming productive
citiens and assist in mending broken lives.
St. /ucie &ounty Sheriff’s 'epartment &haplain 'avid
7hompson says that *ood Samaritan is an oasis in
the wilderness for many. “7he hope and encouragement
*ood Samaritan gives is like oxygen for their souls,”
says 7hompson. “:e’re blessed to have them. :hat
they do for the downtrodden is both miraculous and
transformational.”
7o schedule a tour or inTuire about business services,
call 772-398-0065. )or more information, visit
www.goodsamaritanpsl.org. E
/www.goodsamaritanpsl.org