Winter Appeal 2024-2025

To Our Sussex County Friends and Neighbors,

This year at Samaritan Inn has been full.  The Samaritan Inn Family Shelter Program provided 11,756 nights of shelter for 44 families (63 adults and 62 children) in our 13 apartments.  This program has a 96% success rate transitioning families into permanent housing.  Our food pantry provided 30,880 pounds of food to 386 families (671 adults and 453 children) distributing more than 1,544bags of food.

As you may know, Samaritan Inn provides emergency food, community case management and temporary shelter to “at risk” or homeless people in Sussex County regardless of age, sex, race, or religion.  We strive to help families who may have lost jobs and homes to get back on their feet and regain their self-respect.  Our program can last up to 6 months giving a family time to secure training, child care and employment, to apply for programs such as food stamps and medical insurance, to obtain lost birth certificates and social security cards, or to restore or apply for drivers licenses or IDs.   There is no cost to be part of the program, but families are required to save 65 % of any income to prepare for their move into their own place.

Samaritan Inn shares a positive responsibility with the helping agencies within and around our county to preserve the dignity of the individual, to relieve human suffering, to offer sanctuary to the homeless, to exercise good stewardship of resources and to participate cooperatively within the Sussex County social service network.

The goal of the Samaritan Inn Family Shelter Program is to build a community of healthy families, caring neighbors and productive workers and students while providing families a temporary haven so that they can work to build skills and resources to obtain and keep independent housing in our community.  Samaritan Inn also has a food pantry for community residents, an emergency motel shelter program and a 24-hour hotline.

At Samaritan Inn we have seen firsthand the effects of the rising cost of living.  Homelessness happens to families and individuals who are working, tax paying, contributing members of our community.  Families are finding it harder to find affordable housing because rental inventory is low and rental prices have risen far above the inflation rate.  We all are aware that the cost of food, gas, clothing and insurance are more out of reach for families struggling to make ends meet.

Fortunately, Samaritan Inn remains a refuge against this storm of uncertainty and a safe place where families can come to stabilize.    We have remained steadfast in our mission to help people rebuild their lives and successfully achieve and maintain independent housing.

Once again, Samaritan Inn is turning to you for financial help. We are asking you, our friends, neighbors, and local businesses to partner with us as we strive to make Sussex County a place where every family has a home, and a child never has to fear where they will be sleeping.   Please remember that your donation is tax deductible, and every donation goes for the greater good to help the homeless families of Sussex County.

We thank you in advance for your support of Samaritan Inn; we are confident that together we can continue to be a light in the storm for the people of Sussex County. In 2025, we look forward to helping even more families secure stable housing and achieve self-sufficiency.  If you can help in any way, please know how greatly appreciated you are!  You have our deepest heartfelt gratitude.

The Board of Directors and Staff and Families of Samaritan Inn wish you a safe and warm holiday season.

CLIENT VOICES 2024

“Once we were in the program, we were able to save money and learned how to set a budget and stick to it.  Because of the Samaritan Inn we were able to save and secure our own housing through their many connections in the community.”  From a mom and dad with 3 children who both were able to get employed and find a home

“Having a safe space for my son and me was the best part about the program. While staying at Samaritan Inn I was able to get help for my son and me. I was also able to get certified as a home health aide and build up my client base.  My son is thriving in his new school and went from almost failing to all A’s and B’s.” From a single mom with son fleeing domestic violence, now employed and in their own apartment

“What I liked best is we were able to save money while being here.  Everyone was very helpful.  Being in the shelter has helped us save toward a place of our own and has kept us focused on things we needed to do.  I would like to say thank you for everything you have done for us.  It truly means a lot.” From a family of 4 who were able to find their own apartment

“I just want to say thank you with my entire heart…thank you for helping me see I am capable of achieving anything and changing my life, thank you for being here for me and my son.” From a single mother and her son who is now employed and in their own apartment

“We are thankful as a family to have been given the opportunity to have a home, save money, learn to compromise, and learn about each other, so that now we are even more complete. We now have a beautiful HOME, a yard, each one has their own room, and we are better off now than even before we became homeless.  I’m very thankful to have this opportunity.” From a family of four who now have their own home and are working full-time.

“The Samaritan Inn has taught me how to save, learn how to live on my own and made me a stronger and more open person. They are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t helped me.” From a single woman now living on her own after a lifetime of dependency.