Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Great Fish Community Challenge 2022

 There's 10 days left in the Great Fish Community Challenge brought to you by Whitefish Community Foundation. We set a goal for ourselves to reach 20k and our community showed up. Then we set another goal for 40k, and you guys blew us out of the water! 


Let's get to $60,000 and beyond! Your donation to Samaritan House during the Great Fish Community Challenge goes directly towards supporting our mission and providing our homeless community with resources they need to build a new foundation in their lives. 


These resources look like stability, shelter, nutrient dense meals, clothing, hygienic access and resources, and case management. These resources together help create a community for our clients to thrive and step back into life feeling supported and successful. Click the picture below to be directed to our portal fund to make a donation today!



Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Immediate Assistance Available

Samaritan House has made space immediately available to accommodate the need for shelter as it pertains to recent developments in the sale of the Fairbridge Inn.  People in need of assistance can get the full compliment of services offered by Samaritan House including shelter, case management, kitchen/cafeteria and other co-located outreach efforts by other local organizations.  It is our wish, as well as the wishes of many in the Flathead, that no one sleeps outside.  

 

Additionally,  Samaritan House plans for campus growth to accommodate needs in the community. Increasing shelter capability, addressing the void of transitional housing and providing for another affordable housing option. This plan that will begin construction in 2023 and require extensive fundraising efforts to serve more individuals. In recent years, and through the pandemic demand for services has increased.    

 

For more information, to connect those in need or to donate contact: 

 

Samaritan House

124 9th Ave W

Kalispell MT 59901

Ph 406-257-5801

Email:  info@samaritanhousemt.com

Website:  www.samaritanhousemt.com

Blog:  www.homelessintheflathead.com

 

Monday, February 8, 2021

Hypothermia


It is February in the Flathead Valley and until lately winter has not been nearly as severe as it could be. It’s easy to actually dismiss things as mild and we can go about our day because the snow isn’t piled up. That is a fair assessment. But what if you have to live in the elements?

Did you know it doesn’t have to be brutally cold to experience hypothermia? If a person suffers ongoing exposure to even 70 degrees without thermal protection and food or nutrients, he or she can become hypothermic. Honestly, some of the most dangerous environmental situations occur in temperate climates when the temperature drops suddenly. 

It is essential to try and recognize early symptoms of hypothermia is. There are three stages of hypothermia related to the body’s core temperature:

• Mild hypothermia, 90°–95°. This is when heart and respiratory rates increase. Other indicators are, hyperventilation, difficulty walking, slurred speech, impaired judgment, pronounced shivering, and frequent urination.

• Moderate hypothermia, 82°–90°. During this stage, a person experiences a lowered pulse, shallow breathing and slowed respiratory rate, slowed reflexes, shivering stops, confusion and disorientation, common cardiac arrhythmias, and paradoxical undressing.

• Severe hypothermia, less than 82°. The most advanced stage is evidenced by hypotension, slow pulse, pulmonary edema, coma, ventricular arrhythmias (including ventricular fibrillation), and possible asystole or “flat line” EKG.

At the shelter, cold weather contingency plans are in place and we hope to get everyone in from the cold that needs it. 

Please remember those who either live in the elements or spend great portions of their days outdoors in the winter. We welcome donations and right now warm hats, coats and socks can go a long way in helping save lives.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

In Honor of Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month we wanted to share some statistics and facts to our community surrounding homelessness and racial disparities.

Did you know that most minority groups, especially Black Americans and Indigenous People, experience homelessness at higher rates than any other race due to long standing historical and structural racism?
The most evident disparity can be found among Black Americans who make up almost 13 percent of the general population but account for almost 40 percent of individuals experiencing homelessness in our country. Black Americans also make up more than 50 percent of homeless families with children. (These statistics can be found through endhomelessness.org for further research)
You may ask yourself...what causes would create such significant disparities in our country?
There are several actually: lack of socioeconomic opportunities, rental housing discrimination, incarceration, and access to quality health care.
All create a cycle for our Black American homeless population to remain chronically homeless and vulnerable.
Knowledge is power and by knowing these statistics we as a country can do better to serve the entire vulnerable population with grace and care.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

A New Year for Case Management

This year has brought a new transition in Case Management at Samaritan House. Our Case Managers, Maya Negron & Nancy Lisk, have given the shelter program a success-oriented update and we are seeing the hard work of our staff and our clients pay off. Nancy and Maya both come from social work backgrounds and have given this community many years of their time and service.

 

Our program has been enhanced to assist our residents in pursuing goals of self-sustainability while providing connection in accessing resources. Case management services are striving to meet with each resident weekly and sometimes more if requested. During these meetings case management connects & refers our clients to local resources. Maya & Nancy use this time to give affirmation & celebrate recognition to our clients when they’re striving to rise above their circumstances. The shelter is working hard to provide a safe space where residents can decompress and share experiences. This program helps residents have a stronger support system and rapport with Case Managers, creating hope and confidence in their own journeys. 

 

One important aspect of case management that has shifted is the focus on autonomy. Nancy states “My favorites moments are when clients learn to self-advocate.” Samaritan House is seeing a trend in our shelter resident’s ability to be more financially stable in a shorter time period. Our case managers are using assessments and working with clients to develop employment and housing plans and then using these to hold clients accountable in tracking their success. 

 

Case Management is essential for our homeless community to move forward and overcome homelessness. Without adequate access to resources and services they are left in the same debilitating cycle. Samaritan House is working hard to evolve and change to the needs that our clients are seeking.