MAKING A MARK

328 West McKibben Street, Lima, OH 45801 419-222-4663 samhouselima@embarqmail.com www.SamaritanHouseLima.org

The Samaritan House’s mission is to restore personal dignity and independence to homeless women and their children by providing shelter, hope and guidance. The shelter is located at 328 West McKibben Street in Lima.

History

In August of 2022, Lima’s Samaritan House celebrated thirty-five years of serving Allen and surrounding counties. Yet there are still many who know very little about what this organization actually does for homeless and/or abused women and children.

Since 1987, Samaritan House has provided a home as well as hope for new beginnings for women in Northwestern Ohio. Prior to that time, homeless women and children were forced to live on the streets or in undesirable surroundings. Pastor Doneta Warren of the Living Waters Church decided to do something to help. She opened her home in 1986 to that segment of the population. Warren paid for the operation of that home with her own money, with her church helping with food and buying the personal items that were needed. Word spread about the service, and soon her small house was filled to capacity with women and children in need.

Churchpeople for Change and Reconciliation became interested and formed a task force to study the problem of homelessness in the area. One of the task force members, Rev. J. Norbert Howe of St. Rose Catholic Church, served on that committee and helped secure the use of his church’s former convent to house the homeless women and children.

The old convent became the “Samaritan House,” and the first residents entered this new location on July 1, 1987. During that first year, over 250 women and children were served.

Services

Lima’s Samaritan House is a supportive emergency shelter program with 17 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, designed to help women become self-sufficient. On-site services, along with several area social service agencies, assist each individual with housing, and with personal, educational and vocational goals.

Women and children are referred to Lima’s Samaritan House by selfreferral, churches and other public and private social service agencies. Clients eligible for services must have no permanent residence, be able to provide care for themselves and

their children, and not pose a safety risk to themselves or others. While there is no cost to stay at Samaritan House, the women are required to save 80% of their income to apply toward their future housing. This not only empowers the women by investing in their own future, but also helps to extend the limited community resources. Admissions are up to a 90-day period.

Shelter services include one-on-one case management, meals, bathing and laundry facilities along with supportive programming that may include parenting, resume and job readiness, drug and alcohol education, budgeting, health and hygiene education, nutrition and more.

The crucial role of case management identifies and addresses the multiple challenges the women and children face on a daily basis. Guiding clients through choices and changes increases their chances to succeed and significantly reduces recidivism. Case Management also works to connect individuals with programs and resources necessary to ensure not only a successful transition, but a support system once they have moved on from the shelter.

Funding

Approximately 50% of Lima’s Samaritan House total annual budget is received from the Ohio Development Services Agency Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP).

The remaining 50% of necessary funding is attained through sustained grant writing efforts, private foundations, churches, clubs, organizations, and individuals. They rely on in-kind donations for most of the food, medicine, cleaning supplies, office supplies and household goods that are needed to run the shelter. In 2021, goods valued just over $49,000 were received as in-kind donations.

Support

Lima’s Samaritan House is in constant need of the support from concerned individuals who can help them continue to offer shelter to the homeless. Volunteering, offering monetary or in-kind support, or helping raise the awareness of homelessness in our area, are all ways you can help. Check out the DONATE tab at www.SamaritanHouseLima.org to learn about the various ways to help and to find the frequently updated WISH LIST of items needed.

Save the date for this year’s Raisin’ Bread fundraiser on August 9th, to help a wonderful cause!

If you or you know of anyone needing help, please call (419) 222-4663.