SERVICES AT SAMARITAN Community

Each year, we proudly serve individuals and families living in Baltimore City. We believe that "the client is the program". Each person's specific needs determine the services we provide. Our eligibility criteria are nothing more than the vital needs of those who come to Samaritan Community. 

Those who initially come to us are first interviewed by our Program Director. Their needs are carefully assessed and a personalized plan is created to establish appropriate support and services for the individual and his/her family. 

Services are broken into two main categories: "Crisis Intervention Assistance" and "Empowerment". Our "Crisis Intervention Assistance" Program addresses the acute, immediate needs of our members and includes our food pantry, Clothing Shop, case management services, a computer workroom, and emergency financial assistance. Our "Empowerment" Program helps members with more-complicated, long-term problems and includes individual empowerment counseling, group support, and life enrichment activities. 

We work to provide assistance that members cannot easily access elsewhere. But, we also work within a network of established social service programs. We help members learn about their choices and teach them how to obtain additional services for themselves. 

"CRISIS INTERVENTION ASSISTANCE"

Food Pantry

Many clients initially come to Samaritan Community through our food pantry. We distribute groceries in three-day supplies, or for longer, if necessary. We strive to provide as much fresh and healthy food as possible. We purchase items from The Maryland Food Bank, but also receive generous donations from Whole Foods Market Mt. Washington and other suppliers.

When COVID hit in 2020, we transitioned our in-person pantry to deliveries directly to members’ homes. We continue this service today. In 2022, we provided roughly 2150 households with 2,300 bags of fresh and healthy foods through deliveries, in-person pantry visits, and more. Through our partnership with Whole Foods Market Mt. Washington, we provided more than $200,000 in fresh produce, wholesome breads, dairy, poultry, seafood, and shelf-stable items.

For more information on our pantry and its hours, please call 410-669-1229.

Clothing Shop

Members also have access to our clothes and household goods "Shop". We provide gently-used household items and clothing (for men, women, children, and infants) free-of-charge. Learn more about donating to our "Shop". 

An appointment for the Clothing Shop is required. To make an appointment, please call 410-669-1229.

case management

Our programming staff work to help members through many types of difficult and often-complicated situations. Our case management services include (but are not limited to): helping members access other social services, obtain necessary documents/licenses, find employment and housing, help navigate the court system, and more. Because of the pandemic and its wide-range of impacts, demand for our case management service greatly increased. In 2022, our programming staff provided approximately 2,000 sessions to help roughly 170 members with housing, utilities, medical care, transportation, legal help, employment, and more.

For more information on our case management services, please call 410-669-1229.

emergency financial assistance

Our mission to provide crisis intervention includes financial assistance. Small stipends to individuals and families often prevent challenges from becoming major crises. Our staff members carefully evaluate circumstances and provide modest financial assistance related to emergencies involving housing, medical care, utilities, transportation, legal help, and employment, and more. 

In 2017, we began providing more significant financial assistance through our Farnham-Krieger Endowment Fund. 

In 2020, we launched our Coronavirus Response Fund, which is designed to provide financial assistance to people who lost jobs/income as a result of the COVID pandemic. Stipends help members and their families with rent, utilities, transportation, employment-related expenses, medical care, personal supplies, and more. In 2022 alone, we provided roughly $300,000 in 680 stipends across 130 households to help with housing, utilities, medical care, employment, transportation, legal help, and more.

"empowerment" program

Individual EMPOWERMENT Counseling

People who are struggling with long-term problems receive support tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Members receive this service from members of our programming staff. 

While most sessions are accounted within Samaritan, they also include phone conversations, visits, and more. We also utilize counseling efforts by functioning within a system of established social service programs, providing education and advocacy to lessen the often-daunting access to public and private agencies. In 2022, we provided an estimated 600 counseling sessions across 145 members.

Group Support

Being part of a community often helps our members overcome life's obstacles. 

"Wednesday Club":

Men and women looking for a supportive community are invited to join. Members play games or engage in lively discussion about personal issues or those facing society as a whole. Members are encouraged to grow in self-discovery, improve personal relationships, and deepen their role in their community at large. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SAMARITAN COMMUNITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE MAIN OFFICE:

410-669-1229

(no emails please)