A message from Nate Sometimes life's challenges are out of our hands. That was the case for Monica and her son when their house was condemned. Quite unexpectedly, she and her little boy faced homelessness. Fortunately, our Women's Shelter had an opening and Monica and her son were able to live in safety and security, while she regained her bearings. Soon after her arrival, she was referred to our Permanent Housing Services.
Monica's story is so significant, and connects so deeply with our own story that we have decided to make it the sole feature of our newsletter this month. Since our merger with Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties, her family is the first to be helped from start to finish through all of our programs! They moved into their new place last weekend, and we are so excited for her and proud of how far she's come in her short seven months with us.
We are people full of wonderful stories that we love to share. At Good Samaritan Services, we encounter so many people who are suffering, but also so many of the same people who are growing in their understanding of how much they are loved by God, and what a precious part of our community they are. All of us at Good Samaritan Services are so thankful to be able to participate in this work, and are grateful to you for your care and partnership. As Monica observed during her interview with Hannah Miller, none of us can possibly make it in this life just on our own. This is especially true in the business of helping people move from crisis to stability. We are blessed to be working in prayerful partnership with you, and the families we serve across Lancaster & Chester Counties!
With a grateful heart, | | Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties "A rose by any other name surely smells as sweet."
"I always gave my support to Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties. What can I do to be sure that work continues?" The work we do remains the same, but now with a new name.
Please be sure to endorse your check to Good Samaritan Services.
To designate your gift, you can write "Permanent Housing Services" or "Bridge of Hope at Good Samaritan Services" In the memo line.
| | On the Journey to Permanent Housing!
Despite the fact that Monica's story is deeply personal and still unfolding, it serves as a wonderful example. Her story shows that when we understand how much God loves us, we can look back on a crisis and see that even though it was difficult, we have grown in faith and wisdom as a result. Talking with Monica about her experience at Good Samaritan, you can see that though this has been a challenging time, her faith and experience of the abundant love of God has become clearly evident in her life.
During her last interview with our Resident Director, Hannah, before moving into her permanent house, she stated her appreciation that her needs were well met while in the Ephrata program. She shared, "This has been the most remarkable time of my life and easily the one in which my faith grew the most…while sharing a house full of women in the same situation I found myself in." Monica sees now that her home being condemned came about through no fault of her own. When she arrived at the emergency shelter dealing with "the double blow of not knowing God and not knowing anybody at all (at first anyway), it brought me to a place of loneliness and crisis; as it does to most coming in initially." But here, in this place of deep loneliness and fear for the future, God's love was already working and helping Monica arrive at a new, more secure place. Thanks to the many volunteers and staff at Good Sam, Monica was able to experience and really make use of the gifts that were offered to her.
She shared that these gifts included time and a safe space to sort out her situation, a caring mentor, and material support, especially now as she moves on to Permanent Housing. "Good Sam gave me the time that I needed to save up the money and find a new place to live. They provided me with a mentor close to my age that prayed for me and lifted my spirits when I was feeling my worst. They also provided me with other resources such as the Permanent Housing Services, and provided donations such as furniture once I found my new home." She continues, "Most of all, they provided me with hope for the future and showed me that with a lot of prayer and a little bit of faith, anything is possible."
Moving forward, among other things, Monica sees that she cannot make this journey alone. That is such a valuable lesson for us all! We need each other, and Good Samaritan Services offers a way that people, across the spectrum from crisis to stability, are able to connect with and support each other. Monica realizes now that "Once I was able to acknowledge my complete inability to cope, God was more than able to meet me, and in fact, brought me to a small but loving fellowship in which I began to learn what it meant to walk with God."
Ending her conversation with Hannah, Monica shared that, "Learning the stories of the other guests lifted me from the darkness and I became inspired to know more. For the remainder of these last few months, my faith has been flying as I continue to grow in understanding and dependency. I now know I cannot possibly do it all on my own and no matter what, the Lord is here to see me through." | | Congratulations and best wishes, Monica, as you continue on into stability and growing in your relationship with Jesus. We are so proud of you! | | Good Sam Day at Ephrata Isaacs!
Need a fun summer activity? We've got you covered! Come on out to the Ephrata Isaac's on July 24th from 10 am – 9 pm, and support Good Sam while enjoying a delicious meal. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of your meal will be donated to GSS.
Please note that you MUST print, fill out and present the form below at Isaac's in order for GSS to receive the donation.
We'd love to see you there, so mark your calendar today! | Connect with us on Social Media so you do not miss any updates: | | Important information about your Legacy Gift
Across the years, friends of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties, and friends of Good Samaritan Shelter have graciously identified these organizations through a variety of financial instruments including charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts and other bequests.
Now that our two organizations are one, our boards have merged, and our name has changed; but we hope that you recognize that our mission and services remain the same!
In order to assure that our work continues, and to assure that your support for our mission reaches long into the future, we respectfully request that you advise your attorney or account manager to stipulate that your legacy gift be directed to Good Samaritan Services. Thank you! | | Join us at Isaac's in Ephrata for a delicious fundraiser. Bring your family and friends to enjoy homemade soups, fresh deli sandwiches, and green salads. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of your meal will be donated to GSS. We hope to see you there!
Please note that you MUST print, fill out and present the form at Isaac's in order for GSS to receive the donation.
| | | Come support GSS at Yogurtworks Cafe in Ephrata on Tuesday, August 7th from 7pm - 10pm. 20% of all sales for that night will be donated to Good Samaritan Services.
Invite your friends and family! | | |  | Women's Shelter PO Box 756 Ephrata, Pennsylvania 17522 T 717-733-3395 F 610-917-9815
Chester Co. Permanent Housing Services 1516 Olive Street Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320 T 610-380-1360 | | | | Men's Shelter 141 E. High Street, PO Box 551 Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460 T 610-933-9305 F 610-917-9815
Lancaster Co. Permanent Housing Services 616 N. Lime St. Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602 T 717-394-7707 | | | | | | | | |
