LAKEWOOD – Reducing Homelessness Effectively Samaritan House, Lakewood, is a program helping men escape homelessness. Since opening in 2014 they have maintained over a 70% success rate, double the average of similar programs.
They will celebrate their 10th anniversary on June 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will be at 213 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, All Saints Episcopal Church.
There will be testimonies by men who have gone through the program, including a man who went from homelessness to home ownership. Tours of Samaritan House will be offered and a buffet lunch will be served.
They created Samaritan House in response to the homeless crises in Lakewood and the surrounding area. The program is housed in the church basement and supported by the church but is a separate 501(c)(3) corporation. There are many people in our area struggling day by day to find a place to sleep and meal to eat and a job. They were working to help them.
They offer transitional housing and comprehensive support to the men in the program. They give them a safe, sober place to stay while working to rebuild their lives. Their structured environment gives them responsibility and accountability, preparing them to re-enter the workforce. Their director works full time with the men, helping them with their job search, developing a plan and setting goals to work towards self-sufficiency.
To quote one of the men, “I am a recovering alcoholic and presently at Samaritan House. A short while ago I was suicidal and volunteered myself to a detox treatment center… Without this program I would surely be a statistic. It has given me back my family, my outlook on life and my relationship with God.”
Come join on June 15 to learn more about our program and how you can help support their work.
For further information contact: Alexander Gotay Program Director 732-766-5853, agasalsa@yahoo.com; Dorothy Massey 732-942-7337, smilingeyeglasses@gmail.com Board Member for Fund Raising.
