Turn your frown into a smile...

I’ve had a pretty rough couple of weeks this month and I haven’t been in the best possible mood. I normally try to suck it up and not show how I’m feeling on the outside but being pregnant in the summer, in Atlanta, is no joke. When I walked through the front door this morning, limping from some sort of pregnancy related symptom, one of many, a client looked at me and told me to smile and that whatever it was it couldn’t be that bad. I turned around and smile at him and told him he was absolutely right. He kind of put me in my place, in a polite way. As much as our clients have to deal with here at Samaritan House, like addiction, disability and homelessness, if he can be here smiling then I should be grinning from ear to ear. I guess it made me realize that regardless of the situation he was in he was just happy to be here and that inspired me to limp around the office for the rest of the day smiling because my current pain will make way for my greatest joy and if that’s not worth smiling about, I don’t know what is.


Have a great day!

Natalie

Vernon Potts-The EDGE-Employment Counselor

Man Lost in Atlanta Finds His Way Home

names withheld for privacy

Mr. M is no stranger to the streets of Atlanta, for he has spent 10 years lost within the system in which he sought help. M came to our organization for the second time on April 16, 2008. After meeting with M I realized that there seemed to be some great deal of difficulty with him as he would often shift in conversations or stare endlessly into space. In one meeting when I was asking him about food stamps he told me that he had taken a trip to the local Atlanta DFACS office where he was spooked due to X-men being on the roof.

At times M seemed to be almost normal as if he had waken up for the first time and in those times our conversations pertained to him getting a job and becoming successful. Although I soon learned that M had greater issues to overcome within himself as he never made his appointments or attended our workshops. After speaking with Bobbie Slocumb over at the Café 458, I decided to send him to her in hopes that he would get his mental health in order and get the help that he needed. But that never happened for M because he never made his appointments.

However M did come in the other day and this day was different. Dr. Green and I were speaking of how we should handle M and how we felt that our services were not for M as he had not attended his workshops nor was he moving forward within our program. Dr. Green asked me to bring M into her office, so I did. After a brief meeting with M, Dr. Green realized that there were some problems and he needed help. As Dr. Green always does, she started thinking with her heart and asked M where his family was and if he had spoken with them. Something finally happened that started a chain of events that would lead M home, he gave us a name.

The name was that of L his uncle that lived in Alabama. After getting the name I began to search the internet for a L in Alabama and I found him. So I quickly returned to Dr. Green’s office where we made a call to the family. Dr. Green then spoke with M’s aunt and soon learned that they had been searching for him for 10 whole years, calling shelter after shelter in Alabama to no avail. Then M was able to speak with his family for the first time in 10 years, can you imagine the loss that not only he has felt but that of his family as well.

While speaking with his Aunt I gave them my office number and cell phone number in order for M’s brother to contact me. That evening he did, and he was so excited to learn that his brother was alive and wanted nothing more than to bring him home so they could take care of him. M’s brother explained to me that M did suffer from mental illness and needed to be back on his medication.

The trip was planned for Saturday the 17^th; this was the day M’s brother was to come to get his M. But where was M and would he be present when his brother arrived? I knew due to M’s condition and how he often missed appointments he may not show up or be hard to find. At our last meeting on the day he spoke with his family I told him to be sure to come back on Wednesday and Friday. To my surprise I did see M on Wednesday and I told him that his brother was coming to get him on Saturday. He stared at me with a blank gaze and I wondered if he really understood what I was saying. He told me he would come, although I could not say for certain that he would.

In life I feel that things outside of our human existence are often at play for the good of humankind. As the week was passing and I had not seen M, I became more discouraged as I began to call shelters and no one knew of him. Then out of the blue the phone call came form a Ms. Thompson at the Gateway Center. Ms. Thompson had contacted Dr. Green and asked that I call her, for she had decided to take M into there shelter. After speaking with Ms. Thompson, a case manager for Gateway, she agreed to bring M over on Saturday to reunite with his brother. But she didn’t have to, for M found his own way. Deep within his mind I am sure that he knew one thing, which he was finally going home.

A good ending to a man lost in Atlanta gives me hope as he has been reunited with his family. When M’s brother arrived he was in tears, some of sadness, but most of joy as he was happy to find his brother. In his own way, M lessoned the sadness of his brother with a quick word of humor, “you got fat” as he had not seen him in several years. Now many gaps have to be filled and a lot has changed since M has been missing. His grandmother that raised him is now deceased and his mother is in the hospital not doing well, as she too suffers from mental illness.

There are many lessons to be learned. Can we get so busy in life that we often forget what really matters? People are people regardless of the labels placed on them by society. When we place labels on people we often take away the human side of things and pass our own judgment of those that are different from ourselves. Different doesn’t mean bad, it’s just different, that’s all. I asked myself how an individual needing mental health assistance could bounce form shelter to shelter for ten years and not get the help that they needed. But I then realize the cold hard facts. We are in a business that is bombarded daily with paper work and heavy case loads that individuals can’t possibly get the full care that they need. Sadly, people can often fall through the cracks and their voices go unheard.

I spoke with M’s brother on Sunday and they where having a grill out for M with all the family present. M will be going into treatment for his mental illness on Monday and will be working soon with his uncle. I asked Christoph to print out a certificate of graduation from our program for M. M in many ways has graduated, as he has left the life of homelessness to join a loving family in which he can now get the help that he so desperately needs. Thanks to the Samaritan House M has now taken the steps to move forward within his own life and those are the steps worth taking.

Charcella Green-Director of Programs

About three months ago, I was sitting in my office at 5:00pm. It was very quiet and I thought that it was a perfect time to do some paper work, return e-mails and think about my plans for tomorrow. The phone rang. It was a young man crying at the other end of the phone. Through his sobs, he said he was at the Five Points MARTA Station when somebody told him to call me.

He said he had lost everything. He had lost his car, his home, his job and even his family. He was at the end of his rope and was really ready to give up. He said that he had never known his blood family. He grew up in foster care. Between his sobs, he asked if there was anything that I could do for somebody in his situation. He said all of his losses were due to using drugs. All he had in the world was his cell phone. He said he was tired and just wanted something different out of life.

After talking to him for a few minutes, I asked him where was he staying and where was he going? He said he was going to a nearby shelter. I asked him if he thought he could wait until tomorrow and come to my office. He said he could. He gave me his cell phone number and said he would come to my office the very next day at 12:00pm.

When I got off the phone with him, I called two of our collaborative partners to see if one of them could meet him at 12:00pm at Samaritan House. One of them was from an organization that specializes in drug treatment counseling called Westcare. Dr. Jordan from Westcare came to my office at 12:00pm. To my surprise the young man came. They found a quiet place in the office to talk. After about an hour, Dr. Jordan took this young many to a detox center in metro Atlanta. On the way out, the young man came by my office and asked me if he could call me from time to time because he had no family. I told him that it would be okay. As a matter of fact, I would be delighted if he called to let me know how he was doing. He actually called me every week for the month and a half he was in detox. I did not speak to him every week but sometimes I would have a message from him. He just wanted to let me know how he was doing. About two weeks before his time was up, he left me a message asking if he could get in the program at Samaritan House. I called him back and explained the requirements. He called me back and said he could meet the requirements and would like to start the very next week.

This is the first time I have told his story. I see him in the building with hope and anticipation about the future. This is very different from my first encounter with him. He has been here a couple of weeks and I believe he will soon have a job.

I could tell this story hundreds of times over. So often people call or come to our office who are on the verge of giving up; they absolutely have nowhere else to turn. Everyday I get to see lives change for the better. I get to see people, who have given up, regain an excitement about the future and about life. So many people today talk about “doom and gloom” but when you have the opportunity to see people at their worst and realize that even they can get up and get started again, I believe there is hope for the future. No matter where we are in life, we can all become productive and contribute to society. At Samaritan House, this happens every single day!!!!

Anthony Wynn-The EDGE-Employment Programs Manager

I am sitting at my desk just thinking about the path at which my morning has taken.

Getting guest prepared for employment, receiving job search forms and employment verification

that someone has secured a job is a GREAT WAY to start my morning!

Shakia Burnette-Cafe 458

Man what a day, It has taken this fencing company 3 days to finish the work that should really only take a day. Sometimes I wonder if companies take us for granted because we are a non-profit. Most figure that we are getting huge discounts on everything, but that is not altogether true!

We have to raise tons of money to pay for everything that other companies pay for, but we have to raise even more. We not only have staff, but also guests that have a certain expectation of us, I mean we are The Samaritan House of Atlanta! We work with each guest to map out a personal plan of accountability, while providing the support services needed to help each person achieve their goals. So why shouldn’t they hold us accountable?

Did you know?

According to the 61^st United Nations Commission on Human Rights over 100 million people are homeless worldwide and over 1 billion people lack adequate housing.

Dana Inman-Director of Development & Marketing

Another work week begins…

Today begins a new work week at Samaritan House of Atlanta, and I can only imagine what lies in store for the next seven days. No two weeks at Sam House are ever the same; with each day comes a different task, a greater challenge, and the possibility of a bigger reward. This week will also be different because I will celebrate my third anniversary of joining the staff here. Wow – it’s been an interesting three years!

So much has changed since that first day…new staff, enhanced programming, new staff, various awards, new board members, promotions, new staff, impressive makeovers, awesome volunteers, and more new staff.

Yet, it’s amazing how much has also remained the same. At our core, we’re still the same agency that began 21 years ago in a small office on Peters Street. We still believe that everyone, no matter your current circumstance, is entitled to dignity and respect. We hold true to the “hand up” vs “hands out” approach. We value the contribution of volunteers. And, we still believe that building trusting relationships is the only way to help a person change their lives.

I don’t know if I’ll still be here in another three years, but I’m certain that the foundation of Samaritan House and our work will still be here (along with more new staff J).

Dana

Allison Smith-Volunteer Coordinator

It is almost time to go home, another day at Samaritan House is coming to end, there are still a million and one things to do. When I leave each day I leave other co-workers here, I guess they have a million and two things they have to do.

When we leave each day we leave knowing that we have made a difference in someone's life and we get to do it again tomorrow. The low income and homeless men and women we see each day are like our family, when we come through the door to work each morning we are greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. I think they are as happy to see us as we are to see them.

I don't know each one of their personal situations, I just know it amazes me to see how the clients continue to come here each day and with the help of our programs, they keep a positive attitude. They are loving and caring and helpful, you would never know that some of them had no home to go to.

I am thankful everyday that I work here. Now tears are filling my eyes, because I realize I could be in the same position, if I ever am, I hope someone will care enough about me the way we care about our family(clients) here.

Donate some sole-Thanks Deloitte Consulting LLP.

For those who did not know, Deloitte Consulting LLP held their annual Donate Some Sole Shoe Drive in April and Samaritan House reaped the rewards, or we reaped all of the shoes. We are constantly on the lookout for interview attire for the men and women who utilize our services and it is always a challenge keeping shoes in stock. Deloitte gave us so many shoes they wouldn't all fit on our shelves. (The EDGE program at 302 Decatur Street has a very busy clothing closet. They get over 100 visitors a week from other agencies throughout the city, that number does not include the guests of Samaritan House who utilize the clothing closet.)

Deloitte has kept us in shoes for now, but we will soon run out. Do you have any interview appropriate shoes in your closet? Bring them to us, we will put them to good use.

From Shakia Burnette-Cafe 458

Ok, so another day has come and The Samaritan House of Atlanta/ Café 458 has survived yet another kitchen sink leak!!!!!! We had some kids from Paidea School volunteering and you should have seen their faces when the water started pouring on their Ed Hardy's, lol, lol for those of you that don't know Ed Hardy, check out this website: www.edhardyshop.com.

By no means was that funny at the time but to look back, it was hilarious. I tried to smooth it over by letting them know how wonderful they are, and appreciated they are. This is quite true! awesome, I say awesome young men! These wonderful teenagers, probably the most handsome dudes in their school, have taken their lunch time the last couple of years to come and help serve, wash dishes, plate food, or whatever we ask of them. Instead of being posted up against some locker and speaking sweet NOTHINGS in some young lady's ear. They are help us keep the program alive and helping our clients have a great meal to carry them through the rest of their day.
Well I must be off, it's Graduation Day at 302 Decatur St, where we house The Edge program. Our clients are graduating from The Samaritan House University!

Patrick Batuyong-Clean Street Team Manager

Blog Item:

Hi Everyone:

I have chosen some lyrics from one of my favorite tunes “One Moment In Time” by Whitney Houston to express my thoughts at this writing.

“You're a winner for a lifetime.

If you seize that one moment in time

Make it shine “…

I have been serving the homeless community in Atlanta since 1995 when I began my life work [and ministry] at Crossroads Ministry, 420 Courtland St. Thirteen years later, I see many of the same faces as I saw then, much older, much wiser. Many have gained self-sufficiency, moved forward and are successful. Still others I know continue in their “old ways” and all I can do is smile, be present to them, do what I can to make “That moment in time shine for them”. A smile, a laugh, a tear, a chewing out, a stern talking to (if needed) all tapered with compassion and tough love. What hurts is I am now seeing 2^nd generation homelessness. Children of some of the men and women I have served over the past 13 years. Their own parent’s mere children themselves when I met them either at Crossroads or The Rock. Now they are young adults struggling to change their lives with our assistance and help in The EDGE Program. The EDGE Program the employment preparedness program at Samaritan House of Atlanta, Inc.

The work I do at Sam House is both my work as a second career priest and service to the homeless is a viable part of my ministry. Many people think that I was hired as a priest with Samaritan House…because everyone calls me “Father Patrick”.. Let me set the record straight….I was hired as “Patrick” and not Father Patrick…… However, the work I have done as Fr. Patrick in the homeless community [of Atlanta] over the past 13 has made my name a household word in many settings and conversations throughout Atlanta.

I started my work in Urban Ministry late in life (Age 52). The years have passed and I am now 65 years old, yes - older but wiser. Still working to end homelessness, still the hard shell on the outside, but under that shell, [the softy] the compassionate and loving person that struggles daily with what I call the “Theology of No”…… No, we can’t help you because you aren’t helping yourself to move from homelessness……….. It is like that old Catholic story many of you may have heard about… One day God checks the front gate of heaven and asks the Gatekeeper “ How are things going?”. Well, the Gatekeeper sees he has God’s ear and says. “Fine, with the exception that when we turn people away from the front gate, they just go to the back gate and your mother lets them in anyways”…. So goes it with me… Too often, I am letting them in the back gate for breakfast because of the words, “For when I was hungry ..you gave me to eat”.. We never know when we may entertain angels, even in Samaritan House. I end as I began..

“You're a winner for a lifetime. If you seize that one moment in time Make it shine “…

Patrick (Batuyong)