Homeless in the Flathead

Coming Soon....

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

More information to be released soon!

Food is Good.

2012-01-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

Who likes to eat? Okay, put your hand down (I seriously hope you didn't even raise it).

Think of your favorite food and then imagine that you have an opportunity to share it with the world. Well, at least the greater Flathead Valley and its surrounding nether-regions. Now, add a different variable to this culinary equation: let's say we could raise awareness of our homeless situation at the same time. Still not convinced? Then I am afraid I am at a loss for words because what kind of monster would not like to eat and work toward a solution to the problem of homelessness at the same time?!

Samaritan House is in the beginning stages of compiling a cookbook that will serve a few purposes with one fell swoop of the spatula. While sharing recipes from some of the area's local restaurants, businesses, places of worship, and individuals, we hope to also raise some funds for our organization by calling attention to the following:

Who is homeless?
Why are they homeless?
Where can they go?
How can we help?

This is quite an undertaking and we have some incredible people donating countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears (which might not be the best phrases when writing about food) to this endeavor. If you are interested in submitting a recipe or would like to help us get this project off and running by donating towards it, please call the Samaritan House office and ask for Curt, at 257-5801. There will be more information forthcoming, but for now... bon appetit!

Home Is Where You Take It.

2012-01-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

I've moved around a lot. Had the pleasure of visiting and living in quite a few places, both domestically and overseas throughout the years. But wherever the road has taken me, there were always things that reminded me of home. When the Steelers beat the the Seahawks in the Super Bowl a few years ago, I had to stay up till 3am to watch the game because I was in a different country. Being a Pittsburgh fan, I was ecstatic and felt an immediate connection with all the other fans even though I was in the United Kingdom. There was a bond. In spite of the fact that I was thousands of miles from home, part of my home was innately within me.

Many of our Samaritan House residents are in similar predicaments, although their membership to the homeless diaspora is not intentional; life is not how they planned it. They, too, have travelled and relocated and moved around from burg to city to township. It is easy to look at a person and see them in their current state without ever considering that they have an entire history behind them. Childhood memories and adolescent experiences have shaped what they are today. When our homeless residents arrive, it is essential that I take a step back and try to remember that they are not the sum total of their appearance. They are layered and have personal and intimate pasts that transcend the clothing they are wearing and the medicines they might be taking.

I was reminded of this as I was in our dining area this morning doing some very important things (making hot water). The news came on our communal TV and a lady erupted with laughter and joy at the announcement that the Patriots were going to the Super Bowl. She was from Boston and she was homeless and unemployed and sick and weary and... for one brief moment... she was connected with something greater than herself. She felt pride even though she was hunkered down in the Pacific Northwest and her team was all the way back in Massachusetts.

It happens with food and music, as well. The scent of a particular meal can transport us a million miles away to places we haven't visited in decades. We hear a song we imagined had fallen off the face of the planet only to have it usher us back to 8th grade. Home is a concept more than a location. It is easy to look at the homeless and see a statistic or a cause, but are we able to see people with a history? Individuals who long for the familiarity of the best memories form their past.

We concentrate on fixing the present and forecasting the future so much that we forget each person has an incredible story already wrapped up within them.

One Big Family.

2012-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

Last week a friend of mine whom I respect greatly really opened my eyes. I had recently shaved my winter's beard and it was the first time we had spoken since the epic event. "Wow," he noted, "you don't look homeless anymore." He continued speaking to me but all that resounded in my head was this statement over and over... like a bad dance mix that keeps looping at a party you wish you weren't attending.

He was absolutely right. One thing I have noticed during my time at Samaritan House is that a great deal of our residents do, in fact, sport facial hair of all sorts of combinations and designs. How blind and jaded had I become by not recognizing that homeless people have beards? My life significantly changed that afternoon as I assaulted the streets of Kalispell with a new purpose to help as many homeless as I could.

But then I felt a tad underprepared for this new task and thought I should do more research. I began observing the residents at the shelter and also noted that homeless people drink coffee. This would up the ante but it was, nevertheless, helpful. I thought how nice it was for all the individual coffee drive-through vendors to dedicate an entire business for the homeless.

My next observation opened my eyes to something that had been staring me in the face but I still neglected to notice: The majority of our residents wore boots; hiking, mostly. I became saddened as I strode through a local grocery store one evening and noted all the people wearing boots. It was depressing to realize the homeless epidemic was spreading faster than anticipated.

The despair in my heart reached its apex when a trip to a restaurant landed me right in the middle of a homeless camp masquerading as a local eatery. Sure, it looked like an average place where people gathered to eat meals in public, but what tipped me off to the reality of the situation was the fact that every single person was wearing either a tee-shirt or a button down shirt. Just like our residents. "Flabbergasted" is the only word that describes how I felt as I noticed that I was really homeless because not only was I wearing a shirt and boots, I was drinking coffee and had a smattering of facial stubble.

I owe much to my friend who opened my eyes to the problem of homelessness in the Flathead Valley. I then retired to my home for the evening to contemplate a way out of my ordeal. I did feel badly, though, for the other homeless people who had no home.

Knowledge is Power.

2012-01-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

Remember the old School House Rocks videos? If you don't, then you need to stop whatever you're doing -after you finish reading this blog- and google them. Two things will happen upon completion of this little extracurricular activity: First, you will come appreciate the technological advancements thrust upon us by recent animation companies like Pixar and DreamWorks. Second, you will suddenly recall your multiplication tables while the catchiest jingles ever penned rattle around in your head the remainder of the day. You're welcome.

The anthem of these short, musical snippets brought Enlightenment ideals to every 8 year old alive in the 1970s and 80s: It's great to learn, 'cause knowledge is power! Learning was the key which opened the lock to the door of your dreams. There was no XBox or iAnything to compete with good old fashioned learning. Honestly, when the biggest distraction you face is Pong or John Travolta flicks, school work doesn't seem that bad. Anyway, the point of those cartoons aimed to show the importance of a good education was necessary for a person to start on the path to unencumbered success.

Fast forward a decade and a half and allow me to drudge up another image from popular culture. A few years ago I was watching a video by a band I like and I noticed a message scrawled across a guitar played by one of the members that said: ARM THE HOMELESS.

On the surface this pseudo militant proclamation can be very unnerving. Who wants to walk around a Kalispell where the homeless (or any population, really) are patrolling streets with a wide assortment of weapons and assault rifles? Not a good idea. So, after much contemplation and Internet research I decoded this mystical message and was shocked with the level of profundity staring me right in the face: This guy didn't want a 5th Column of homeless soldiers; he was asking for resources because knowledge is power.

The cycles of poverty that grip many of our homeless and low-income residents can be remedied by education. It is not a quick fix and it requires time and resources and funding but it is vital that doors remain open for these citizens to walk through. I am not saying education is THE answer, but it definitely improves the odds. Every day at work I see the effects of what a lack of education can produce: depression, self-loathing, boredom, feelings of insignificance...

Wanting the best for others is an admirable trait but sadly it is confined to theoretical discussions: "I wish I could help, but..." If you feel compelled to really help and you have the means, then please don't let life get in the way of another person's reality. Start a scholarship fund. Assist with after school programs. At the very least, don't get annoyed at the homeless guy in the library sitting next to you.

How to re/learn

2012-01-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

When is the last time you relearned something? I don't mean going through the steps of a previously accomplished task or goal. Relearning has a negative connotation because it implies deficiency. We wouldn't have to relearn something unless we forgot how to do it in the fist place, right?

But what if relearning became re/learning and not just a rehashing of an old routine or practice, but an entire overhaul of a former thought process? Can we even do this? Is it possible to look at something we are familiar with and examine it without all the baggage that accompanies our beliefs and presuppositions? I thought I might try to get a different perspective on homelessness, but I am the first to admit the mere nature of my job disallows me to be as objective as I would like to be.

Children have a unique way of blending bluntness and honesty with empathy and sincerity. Perhaps the most beneficial way to go about this re/learning process might be to talk to a child. My son (who is 9) came to work with me today because it is MLK Day and he didn't have to go to school. I asked him some questions about what it meant to be homeless and the connotations that accompanied this issue. And you know what... his answers were almost identical to what any adult might have said. He had bested my investigative journalistic tendencies by not really telling me anything that surprised me. I felt a little defeated because my experiment had failed.

Shortly after our chat in my office, we meandered down the hall and into the dining area to put on some hot water so the residents could have coffee. This is a daily task for me so I fade into autopilot as soon as I begin this task, but my son was experiencing it with a keen awareness that I had abandoned months ago. What caught his eye and impacted him the most was the young girl, roughly his own age who was living at the shelter. Forget any lame attempt at an interview, I was re/learning by watching my son. He was shocked to see her it rattled him because (what he told me in our interview) he imagined homeless people were older and senior citizens.

Not this one. She was exactly like him.

And this is such an overstated mantra of nonprofit workers everywhere. We champion and sing it like its the national anthem or at least a really cool Radiohead song. "The homeless are just like us, only they've been dealt different circumstances." But do we believe this? Is there sometimes just a smidgen of patronization or self-righteousness that creeps in when we try to help them?
Do we have the ability to recognize the homeless as individuals and not statistics? Is their life so much different from ours?

How sad that it takes a 9 year old to teach me things I used to know.

Friday the 13th...

2012-01-13T06:29:00.000-08:00

This morning it took a bit longer than usual to warm my car up.
I think I am nearly out of fuel for my snow blower.
The snuggie I received over the holidays is not my favorite color.
We are probably going to have fish tonight for dinner (had it once last week).
Both my kids have extracurricular activities on the same night.
Nearly out of recordable space on my DVR.
It took them 2 attempts to get my coffee order correct.
I am beyond bored with the apps on my iPad.
Really worried Tebow might not beat the Patriots.

Ugh.

I am so unlucky.

Its in the Bag.

2012-01-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

Often, people ask me how they can 'make a difference' in regard to homelessness in the Flathead Valley. I pause and try to collect some thoughts before I spew an unnecessarily overcomplicated and jumbled reply that might even confuse the inquisitive soul more than when they first asked their question. It's not because I don't know what to say; its just such a broad topic and narrowing down the issue is helpful.

Recently I spoke with someone who (a while ago) asked me this very question but then came up with a solution of her own. So... how can a person 'make a difference?'

30 dimes is an excellent start.

Veronica is a transplanted New Yorker who has called the Valley her home for the past two and half years. We met a few months ago while she was coordinating a volunteer group to come to Samaritan House and, after talking for a bit, she wanted some tangible advice on how she might be able to help the homeless in Kalispell. Really, how does one person effect change in the lives of others? Her idea was brilliant in its simplicity and practicality.

She began compiling gift bags to hand out in the community to people who might need them. These aren't Oscar-style swag bags; there aren't iPads or Rolexes and I doubt anything in them has ever been autographed by Tim Te bow or Justin Beiber. Instead, there are socks, hot hand warmers, wet wipes, apple cider packges, small snack foods, and a message of hope. She puts these together for $3.. or 30 dimes... or the price of a really nice coffee with a few trimmings added.

Veronica keeps these bags with her in her car and hands them out as shes driving around Kalispell. The beauty of this idea is that anyone can do it and it does not require any added time to an already compact schedule. If you have to drive somewhere, you can instantly be ready to give one away. But there is more involved if a person allows it. Often, Veronica has a conversation with the person and not only provides them with some physical items. She acknowledges them as a person and talks with them. Hears their story.

I realize those of you reading this (all 10 of you) are doing so because you have at least an interest in helping others. Assistance does not have to be some expensive or overbearing gesture. It can be as simple, yet effective, as handing out a bag of items to someone who can use them. I would love to hear your stories about your own ways to reach into the lives of others.

Perhaps you will inspire more people who feel overwhelmed and isolated. Email me and I will be glad to relay your story to the rest of the community. If anyone is interested in helping Veronica, you can reach her at: veronica.thompson@ywammontana.org

Just a Dream?

2012-01-10T05:56:00.000-08:00

Next Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He was a polarizing figure whose message elicited a response from anyone who met him. Since I was a history major (with a civil rights emphasis) in college, Dr. King holds a place of particular interest for me. His 1963 speech in Washington DC is often quoted as a rallying point for equality and is familiar to many Americans. Almost 49 years later, if we reflect upon his ‘I have a dream’ speech, I am left asking myself how this admonition has changed things.

Dr. King waxed eloquently on race-relations at the time, but this passage from his speech can also be applied to our current homeless epidemic in the United States:

“In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

If something is unalienable, then it is innate. You don’t have to strive for it because it exists independently of your actions. Theoretically, the genesis of our nation spouts (at the least) an opportunity to pursue happiness. Happiness, in this sense is not a mere feeling or emotion, but the chance to find gainful employment based upon what a person was good at doing. It was centered around Aristotle’s ideas (sorry, please forgive the history nerd) that an individual in America ought to be able to pursue a career that puts food on the table as well as a smile on the face. This is the American Dream.

But is it the American Reality?

This is not a political blog and I am not endorsing a particular belief system or party. My only real thought is that so many of us wake up and pour ourselves into uniforms or job descriptions that we never imagined we would be wearing. When did things change? When were our ideals substituted for the drudgery of a 9-5 world that dictates our very existence? When was the last time we dared to believe in anything? To be fair, many people have jobs they absolutely love and I cannot paint a picture depicting mass discontent because there are exceptions to every rule. But I know too many people falling into the former category.

I write this blog from the confines of an office with a view far more telling than any picturesque landscape or skyline. From my office I watch people every day who have given up on the American Dream because they feel like America has abandoned them long ago. Finding work in this economy, even with a college degree, can feel like an absurd battle. Try doing it with a criminal charge on your record or having gaps in your resume because you were in treatment for alcohol or chemical dependency.

There is a common and gross misconception that the ‘homeless’ are just looking for a handout or content to live off the government; they don’t work because they don’t want to. Do some people fall into this category? Sure. So do many people who have homes. My experience and observation tell me that most of our residents want to work. They want jobs. They want to feel a part of something bigger than themselves… like a community or (gasp) even a country.

So, my final thought is this: hire a homeless person. Help someone else dream big.

Rise & Shine & Rise & Shine...

2012-01-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

Bumper stickers are a great way to proclaim your life's mantra as you cut someone off at an intersection, thereby rendering any opinion attached to your bumper as null and void. Honestly, does it matter if the blue sedan that nearly T-boned you has a pithy 'keep it local' sticker? Are you any less infuriated when 4 cars to your left stretch the yellow light into obscene shades of orange but the final one proclaims their kid is some genius scholar at one of the local elementary schools?

Recently I saw a bumper sticker that told me variety is the spice of life. Three things happened: First, I heard my deceased aunt Velma's snarky voice echoing this because it was one of her favorite soundbites. Second, I found myself growing hungry for some curry. Lastly, I wondered what life felt like if it lacked variety and was bound to a regimented schedule that was not easily altered. Can you imagine doing the same thing every day, over and again because you had limited options?

The Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, came to mind. In this flick he played a reporter stuck in a small Pennsylvanian town. An accident caused him to wake up every morning and experience the exact same events in the same sequential order every day for numerous days. Ever feel like that? If variety is truly the spice of life then this menu is in need of a serious culinary overhaul.

Every morning, Monday- Friday, I arrive at Samaritan House in the morning and see many of our residents go through the motions of a mechanized routine. They drearily filter into our dining area and sleepily assault the coffee pot before planting themselves into a chair to watch the morning news. Then, its off to breakfast, the library, or some of them go back to their rooms to wait for lunch. This happens with precision regularity and is dolefully uneventful. There is no variety for many of our residents because they have slid into a type of survival mode that covets routine because it is easier to face the day when there are few surprises.

In their experiences, surprises are often attached to tragedy.

Occasionally, a resident or two will arrive who transcends this scheme. He or she hasn't been conditioned to accept a banal existence dependent upon predictability. There is an understanding that life is not over because a person is homeless. There are options and factors that can be taken into consideration that will help them break free and live. These individuals are an inspiration to me.

They are spice.

Improvement is Better than Change.

2012-01-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

Finally.

Ever have those moments where it feels like the whole world is spinning and whirling and indifferent to the fact that you cannot seem to keep up with its frantic pace? The end of 2011 and emergence of a new calendar year has ushered in new challenges and goals for Samaritan house. The past couple days have been trying but it appears we can, at last, take a collective sigh of relief before we move on to what is in store. Finally.

Our first major venture of this year was to begin utilizing our Administrative Center to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner every weekday. Previously, dinner was the sole meal offered there, so we are excited to have expanded the scope of this function. This herculean task involved transporting tons of equipment and food items from our shelter residence to the former armory a block and a half away.

I would like to say this was accomplished with joy and whimsy, but lets be honest…moving freezers is not what a person wakes up in the morning thrilled to do. A philosopher once uttered, “That which does not kill you makes you stronger.” Well, we now have many stronger staff members. Competent and caring staff has always been a high priority here, so we are happy to say our new hires have jumped on board rather well.

So…enjoy your weekend and this unseasonably, absurdly warm weather because Old Man Winter is jostling around and I have a feeling he’s about to wake up from his current catnap.

Stereotypes.

2012-01-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl is about a month away. So, as an avid Steelers fan(sorry, Denver), I am excited by this time of year. But hold on… don’t stop reading if you are not a sports fan because this blog is not about touchdowns and field goals.

This years’ NFL championship game will be played in Indianapolis and the National Coalition for the Homeless published an article that raises some interesting points. As the city prepares for the infusion of tourists and the money that accompanies such an event, there is an effort to keep the local homeless population off the streets and out of public eye. City officials promise that there will not be any ‘forced relocation’ which is comforting because we all know politicians do not lie.

I can understand a city’s desire to maximize every endeavor to generate finances in such dire fiscal times. I cannot fault a local economy for wanting to capitalize on such a unique opportunity to profit and reward its vendors and businesses. A few monkey wrenches are tossed into this equation, however. One fundamental flaw in what is happening in Indiana is the idea that if the homeless are kept off the streets, then the ‘problem’ is remedied. This is simply not true, but it is also another blog for another day.

Perhaps what is irritating me the most is the idea that a person can be identified as homeless on appearance alone. There is a definite stigma attached to homelessness and many times a homeless person is perceived to look a certain way. There are some truths rooted in this mass generalization… many chronically homeless individuals do not have access to clean clothes or regular hygienic resources. But to jump to hasty conclusions regarding all homeless persons based on half-baked theories as to who is and isn't homeless because of their physical attributes is ignorant and mean-spirited.

Right now the city of Indianapolis is preparing to ignore one of largest elephants to ever grace a living room anywhere. It is easy to cast stones. But how many times have we crossed the street to avoid passing someone who made us uncomfortable? Have we, in the Flathead Valley, become so highly evolved that this is not an issue for us? I like to think we are making strides in this area, but I will leave that up to you.

Cold.

2012-01-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make: I am not a native Montanan. I’ve lived in the Flathead Valley (mostly) since 1996 and I have come to think of it as my home. As a transplanted east-coaster, I have chosen to live here because there is so much that I love about this place we call Big Sky Country. I mean, really… who wouldn’t want to live here. Picturesque lakes and glacial peaks interspersed with lovely shades of evergreen. Abundant wildlife and natural resources that could warm even the grinchy-est of hearts. This just seems like an ideal destination for anyone.

Most of our residents are not from around these parts, either. Each has an epic tale on how and why they ended up in Kalispell, and while each is unique to its narrator, there are common strains that bind many together. Some incorporate tragedy with hope. Many tell of loss and redemption. Still others warn of unwise choices. In spite of the similarities and discrepancies peppered throughout their stories, there is one unifying fear that binds them together: Montana is not a hospitable place to be homeless in the winter. In fact, it can be absolutely deadly.

How surreal when the very same view experienced on either side of a window can yield vastly different results. Tucked warmly inside a home or apartment or even traveling in a car, Montana in January can be an aesthetically inspiring place to soak in everything around. Just a mere six inches away … the space of an outstretched thumb and index finger… can be the difference between life and death. Outside these windows life is not as accommodating or friendly; the blustering winds and brutal cold transforms Narnia into Paradise Lost.

Take some time to inventory your surroundings through the eyes of Kalispell’s homeless. The same wintery attributes you clamor for can be the biggest fear for the homeless.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T11:24:00.000-08:00

The clock on my wall is impatiently watching me as I scribble out this final post of 2011. The countdown officially began a few days ago for most people, but I am usually late to the party so I didn't take notice until yesterday that we are literally running out of time. As I look at my watch you officially have 11 and a half hours to accomplish whatever it is you haven't finished for 2011. Go to it!

No one knows what the next year is going to hold but we, at Samaritan House, are anticipating some great (and new) things. Thank you for everything you have helped us do over the past 365 days. Our hope is that you have a peaceful and fulfilling New Years celebration with family or friends.

Talk to you next year...

Its all a Matter of Perspective.

2011-12-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

The way we see things colors our entire world. Two people can view the exact same thing and come away with entirely different ideas. For example, if I write 'Samaritan House's best effort is n-o-w-h-e-r-e,' what image resonates in your mind? Do you view the statement as a commentary that our best is nonexistent (nowhere) or that we are hitting our stride (now here)? Same amount of letters in the identical order... totally different implications.

Over the past year, Samaritan House served more than 32,000 meals and housed over 1,120 people. We hosted our 2nd annual Project Homeless Connect as well as numerous 4th Friday Concert Series. The Cowboy Up Benefit Auction, Dinner and Concert also provided a little western flare for the community.

Recently, our Help Portrait event was held and we sponsored the Flathead Valley's sole

National day of Homeless Remembrance at Depot Park. It was an intimate ceremony to honor our homeless brothers and sisters who have died over the past year.

Hundreds of volunteers assisted us in every way from practical, physically intensive tasks, to sorting donations, cleaning, cooking, preparing meals, and painting. If it takes a village to raise a home, then it truly took a community to help our (Samaritan) house. Thanks to all of you who helped along the way.

Saving lives was also a high priority in 2011 as we partnered with the Red Cross in holding blood drives at our Administrative Center. Our most recent drive collected 35 pints of blood, and each pint is the equivalent of saving 3 lives. Case Manager Cary Krager noted the importance of "Presenting the opportunity for people to give. Giving blood costs nothing, but means everything."

So... how did we do this year? Much was accomplished and we believe we are most definitely on the right path in regard to addressing the homelessness issues in Kalispell and the Valley. But are we satisfied?

Not on your life. It is our perspective that, while we managed to do a great deal, the best is yet to come.

We invite you to partner with us as we look to surpass 2011's accomplishments. We humbly anticipate a great year to come and look forward to playing a role in helping people change their lives.

Thanks for everything.

2011-12-27T14:13:00.000-08:00

(Western States Insurance representatives Kim Thomas and Saundra Topalovich drop off presents for residents)

Part one of the Holiday season is drawing to a close and Samaritan House was made a festive locale due to the kindness and generosity of donors who blessed our residents.

Being homeless presents numerous challenges for a person, and being homeless during the holidays can be emotionally devastating. Everything has potential to be a reminder of a previous life where resources and finances and material possessions may have been more plentiful. It is a time for reflection that can sting as past familial relationships may not be what they once were. In essence... the holidays at a homeless shelter is rarely a topic for joyous conversation.

However, this was not the case at Samaritan House. It was beautiful chaos as a million different things happened, seemingly, all at once. Contributions rolled in from our community friends and the festivities were as cheerful as they could have been. Entire families came and served meals as well as donated their time to enrich our resident's experiences. The dining room area was transformed to resemble your grandmother's dining room. Schools sent their students to wrap presents while our friends at Bet Harim prepared an incredible Christmas day meal. Financial contributions as well as tangible goods (including many McDonald gift cards!!) made their way into our humble establishment. Presents were donated and every resident received a gift.

Many of us will never know what it is like to be homeless, but we all know what it is like to feel human. For a few hours on December 25th, our residents were not homeless or transient or without anything. There was a common, shared experience where everyone felt the same thing at the same time. This is not to minimize the plight of our residents or to pretend that all their problems melted away. Rather, it was a reminder that the kindness of many people transcended every situation in the room and made, for a brief time, most things okay.

So, on behalf of the entire Samaritan House community, both residents and employees, THANK YOU!!!!

A New Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T06:36:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, in a room in the shelter,
 A single mom lies awake thinking of the hand life had dealt her. 
Just one stocking (for three kids) was hung on the fridge with care, 
In hopes that something... anything... would be there.

Her children were nestled on a mattress, a couch and a bed,
 While visions of a real home danced in their heads.
 And mom in her ‘kerchief, and her youngest child in a cap,
 Could not settle their brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out in the street there arose such a clatter,
 But this was not new, something always was the matter. 
Silently through the window the police lights would flash, 
She walked over to the shutters and pulled down the sash.

The moon in the puddles of the parking lot gravel,
Gave the lustre of hope in a life quick to unravel.
 When, what to her sleepy mind should appear,
 But a revelation for the future, it all seemed so clear.

The thoughts in her head, came so lively and quick, 
She knew in a moment she must write them down so they’d stick.
 More rapid than eagles, these ideas... they came,
 So she scrambled for paper and pen, and and wrote them down by name!

Now, Dignity! now, Health Care! now, Full-time Employment!
 On, Independence! on, Education ! on, a Life of Enjoyment!
 To the top of the shelter! Through the second-story hall! 
Please make these true! Make these true! Make these true, all!

“Santa can’t save us,” she mused with a whistle, 
And strenghtened her resolve with determination and gristle. 
But I heard her sigh, ‘while her kids slept out of sight,
 “This can be a Happy Christmas for us, I will make it a good night!”

Resolution: Time is the best gift

2011-12-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Does the perfect gift exist?

We live in a world of constant noise and peripheral chaos. Our money is often spent before we deposit the paycheck and the horizon sometimes seems scarier than anything we've ever left behind. Finances are tight but that doesn't really bother the calendar hanging on our wall because those days keep advancing without ever consulting us. The time of year for gifts has finally rounded third and is unabashedly heading straight for home plate. The only question is whether that plate will be bare or loaded with wonderful festive items.

I work at a place where the majority of the people do not have a great deal of money. When the topic of holiday giving raises its commercial head, one might think that the conversation grows tense and uncomfortable, but that is rarely the case. On many occasions, I have learned quite a lot from Samaritan House residents on the subject of giving. What is the most valuable thing a person can give another? My experiences at the shelter have shown me that the greatest gift is time.

In a society of fabricated community, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets are prime examples of how real intimacy is going extinct and being replaced with cyber relationships a mile wide but an inch deep. Spending time with a person now consists of logging on to check their status before you post a quick blurb on their wall? Am I missing something?

Oh, yeah... Conversation.

Take this holiday season as an opportunity to reconnect with your friends and family on a more personable level. Sit down and talk or go for a walk or just turn every electronic device in your house off and enjoy the quiet together. Get back to the basics of relationship, even if it's just a brief respite before the new year begins and you have to plug back in. Our residents spend hours together just talking and I fear this is a lost art. If you have no one to chat with in your life, then come down to Samaritan House and chew the fat with our residents because it will be an experience that makes you a better person.

And it's free.

Homeless Person's Memorial Day Event - Kalispell, MT

2011-12-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

(artwork by a Kalispell man who passed away homeless in 2011)

December 21st, the shortest day of the year, is Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. It is very difficult to track homeless people who die, because dying as a result of having been homeless doesn't necessarily mean dying while homeless. Often people who have been homeless die in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters or in permanent housing obtained too late to do much good.
Homelessness dramatically elevates the risk of illness, injury and death. At every age, homeless persons are three times more likely to die than their housed peers. The average age of death for a homeless person is 50, compared to 78 for the general population. Homeless people die from illnesses that could be prevented or treated. The difficulty getting rest, staying on a medication schedule, eating well, staying clean and staying warm prolong and exacerbate illnessess and injuries, often to the point where they become life threatening. Many times, people are so impaired by the time that they get into housing that they die shortly thereafter.
Services are being held across Montana. Here are the details on the memorial event being held in Kalispell:

December 21st, 2011

Noon - 1:00 pm

Depot Park

Soup and Coffee will be served

Please help us commemorate those who die because of homelessness. If you know of someone, please tell us what you can so that person can be included in the commemoration. Samaritan House 257-5801.

Blood drive

2011-12-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

Save Someone’s life.

Imagine the world’s lamest superhero. I’m not sure what this person’s (lack of) power might entail, but it would be largely ineffective. He or she likely has no comic books named after them, either. Perhaps this person’s lone claim to notoriety is that they have never saved anyone. Well, here is your chance to do something more monumental than the world’s lamest superhero. In fact, I am presenting you with the opportunity to do something quite heroic…

On Thursday, December 22, you can play a part in saving someone’s life.

Samaritan House will be hosting a blood drive with the Red Cross and we still have opportunities to sign up from 11am until 2:45pm. For more information, call Cary at 257-5801. The blood drive will be at the Samaritan House Administrative Center located at 1110 2nd Street West in Kalispell.

You don’t have to be a superhero to save someone. You will do nicely…just the way you are.

Kinder Than Necessary

2011-12-13T05:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some resolutions to get us on our way...

Be Kinder Than Necessary.

On the surface, this seems trite and a little too simple. They key is to closely examine the last word of this phrase…necessary. Being kind is not an overly difficult task and really doesn’t require much more than common decent courtesy. Kindness is often a reflex or reaction that we generate on the spot.

But, what does it mean to be unnecessarily kind? The implication of this behavior demands us to examine a situation and then go beyond the expected niceties that might be required. This means that we fore go being kind and kick it into overdrive. Don’t just help someone today, be so unfathomably helpful that they suspect ulterior motives (but, a ha! The joke will be on them because you have none).

What would it look like if you enacted a brand of kindness that was proactive and sought out opportunities to befuddle others who never saw it coming? Try this today and see how it feels.

2012

2011-12-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

People become pensive this time of year. The holiday season spawns all manner of emotions: joy, hope, resolution, anger, sadness, redemption... the list is endless and unique to each person. As the current year begins to pack up and close shop, 2012 is eagerly waiting in the wings for its opportunity to emerge and take its rightful place in world history.

As the calendar shortens, many of us reflect back over the previous 365 days and take a personal inventory of what happened and how these events impacted our lives. If we could have a restart, what would we do differently? Looking back is always easier than living in the moment so what wisdom will we garner from last year?

Resolutions are easy enough to make but sometimes difficult to keep. Over the next few days, I will list some resolutions for the new year. How can we keep moving forward and avoid the stagnant tendencies that render us powerless and hopeless? What changes can me make in our own lives as well as the lives of others?

Neither Here nor There

2011-12-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

So... the past few days have been quite the logistical challenge involving 3 rooms, 5 desks, 9 file cabinets, numerous office supplies, and one old recliner. Normally, drastic changes are reserved for the spring, after a person has been cooped up and can no longer tolerate his or her surroundings. Not here... at Samaritan House we like to switch offices smack dab in the midst of the work day!

It has been a little inconvenient and forced some of us to fall a bit behind on our work. Its very unsettling to have your belongings in flux; you have a slight idea where something is but you cannot get to it. A few things got lost along the way. I swear I had a few items that I have either misplaced or they simply decided to make a break for it while I was distracted by the mounting piles of junk that had spontaneously appeared.

But now things are back to normal and I have no more excuses for a decrease in my productivity. I am settled into my new office and the jostling and moving and lost office supplies are but a distant memory. I was tired of toiling out of the hallway and make-shift benches converted into a workspace. It is nice to have everything accessible so I can perform at my best.

Being office-less was terrible. I'm glad people don't have to live like that.

Help Portrait at Samaritan House

2011-12-01T09:01:00.001-08:00

Samaritan House will be hosting a Help Portrait event at the Administrative Center on December 10th.
Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate. It provides a way for someone who otherwise could not afford a professional quality framed portrait.

Here are the details:

Help Portrait

December 10th, 2011

10 am - 4 pm

Samaritan House Administrative Center

1110 2nd St West

Kalispell, MT

Lunch will be provided

The importance of a hanger.

2011-11-30T09:44:00.000-08:00

I have grown too reliant on the marvels and convenience of modern technology. We all have our precious items we covet and that help us make it through the day. Those particular gadgets and thing-a-ma-jigs that leave us wondering how people ever coped before such a thing ever existed. Inventive contraptions like wi-fi and voicemail and flux capacitors (think hard about that one) and clothes hangers.

Yep. You heard me correctly... clothes hangers.

How, you might ask, could I classify a hanger as one of the best inventions of our time? To be fair I must concede that it doesn't beep or glow. You cannot log-on to it or even ask it for directions. No one will ever confuse this item with something that might need to be locked up for safety reasons. So, what is so great about a clothes hanger?

It keeps things off the floor. Most of us have floors that we wouldn't be overly alarmed if something fell onto them. Sure, we would feign embarrassment at the state of our carpets but, by and large, they rarely look like a street in Calcutta. If something ends up on the ground life does not grind to a halt until said item is picked up. We can cope.

But, what if your floor is actually pretty dirty. You might be a neat and tidy person but perhaps one of the other 6 people living in the same room do not share your heightened sense of cleanliness. The individual to the left of you has tracked in mud and the one on the right spilled coffee and hasn't bothered to clean it up. Not a bad time to have a hanger laying around.

This dilemma might be fiction for a large portion of us, but for our residents it is a reality. We take so much for granted and often never give things in our daily routine a second thought because we have become accustomed to living at a certain standard that eludes many people in Kalispell.

We have become pampered by hangers.

I'll be home(less) for Christmas

2011-11-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

Cue Perry and Bing because the holidays are rapidly approaching.

It seems we just turned the corner on Thanksgiving and now Christmas is staring us directly in the snow-blown face. It is not uncommon to be overwhelmed this time of year. Familial obligations creep out of the woodwork and funny-looking Christmas cards from once-removed fourth cousins begin flooding our mailboxes. I won’t even mention the fruitcake. There are things to purchase and people to visit and caloric calamities to ingest... everything swirling around in a vortex of holiday busyness that can be stressful and tense.

But (there always seems to be ‘but’)… what if your holiday season was hardly overwhelming at all? What if you could erase the chaos from your schedule and spend the holidays alone? At some point a few of us migght have whispered to ourselves about the benefits of being on a deserted island as soon as tghe claendar flips over to December. Christmas can be such a bother.

Many people complain about being overextended during this time of year. However, the fact that this occurs is a good indicator that there are people in our lives to add to the holiday shuffle we routinely perform. Chances are, a lot of these people care about us and (in spite of the insanity) are positive contributors even during our sense of being overwhelming. The majority of our Samaritan House residents are not overwhelmed. They live out the theoretical quiet Christmas so many others long for. Of course, there is always a catch when the hypothetical chokes on reality.

Homelessness has many attachments that can physically hinder a person from enjoying most of the amenities non-homeless people have. Reliable shelter, steady employment, regular access to food, and education are things many of us do not think about on a regular basis. Some of these options are not available to the homeless, hence their daily lives can be underwhelming in comparison to people who are not homeless.

The joys of an underwhelming holiday season for the homeless: not having to mix and mingle at endless office parties and family get-togethers. No sense of Christmas claustrophobia caused by shopping for others at any one of a thousand stores of their choosing. Avoiding the hassle of cutting down a tree to wrestle with in the living room. How great to not have to listen to endless holiday hits on XM radio. The solitude of having no one drop by to pay you a visit unexpectedly.

This is what we dream of, right?

Black Friday

2011-11-25T05:01:00.001-08:00

I’m usually left alone with my thoughts as I drive to work in the mornings. It’s still relatively early so traffic is scarce and the journey is fraught with all the danger driving in a straight line can muster; which is to say not much. Today, however, I had some accompaniment as I meandered into town. My normally peaceful jaunt was interrupted by a massive mobilized entourage of vehicles streaming toward Kalispell in search of the perfect bargain. Black Friday.

This term was coined in Philadelphia in 1966 but didn’t really gain steam as a national (anti)phenomenon until 1975. The origins for the name of this day are debated. One theory addresses the commercial aspect of this phrase and the idea that most companies make a significant profit (in the black) on this sacred day of capitalistic consumerism. Another suggestion is that the streets and roads are so crowded that everything morphs into a huge shadow. I always thought Black Friday should simply be a tribute to Billy Dee Williams, but I seem to be alone on this.

Whatever the true genesis for Black Friday, it typically elicits polarizing responses: some people avoid it like the (black) plague, while others set their alarm clocks for the Monday before everything begins so they can be the first in line to pacify their growing wish lists. I even heard that some organizations and businesses are opening their doors at 4am to provide child care so parents can drop of the kiddies and enter, once again, into the fray. My initial thought was… who does this? Who drops off their own children in the middle of the night so they can join the parking lot mosh pits of the Valley’s numerous stores?

I’ll tell you who.

Not everyone is blessed to have grandparents or a caring spouse to watch their kids. Sometimes the only option for a single parent is to rely on these types of programs because this is, literally, one of the only times they can find a babysitter. Fighting the crowds and elbowing past the ill-fated store greeters is a challenge for some. There is an adrenaline rush and, while the reduced prices are nice, there will be plenty of days left to shop on days without specific colors attached to them. Other people venture out because this is the only time they can procure an item that usually would be way out of their price range. They bend over backwards and jump through whatever hoops are present just to feel normal. It’s both sad and scary that this is becoming the new normal.

My hat is off to all of you who are braving the roads, weather, and other shoppers. While you’re out there, though, remember that some people need this day much more than others.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2011-11-23T08:59:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving is an interesting day.

Some people like to focus on the historical and politicall ramifications. Others enjoy a break from their daily schedules to go hunting or legally play hooky from class. Football, turkey, and candied yams take center stage right before a prolonged nap from an imagined tryptophan overindulgence. (PS... turkey doesn't really make you sleepy).

Whatever your perspective is regarding November's final Thursday, looking back and taking some time to reflect on what you are thankful for is a very cathartic exercise that is good for the soul. It reminds us that life is fluid and even if times are difficult, there is no reason to believe that things can't improve. It's easy to focus on the negative, and at times life genuinely feels overwhelming. Like we can't keep up.

But stop. Take a breath.

Rekindle those thoughts and think back to something good that has happened. Appreciate that beauty of the moment in the midst of the chaos. Remember what it was like to smile and then recall while you smiled in the first place. I'm not asking you to dabble in some psychoanalytical exercise or jump through some psychological hoop. I am not painting the world with rose-colored glasses. I know there is pain and madness and adult on-set diabetes and the New York Yankees...

There is also charity and redemption. Sunlight and snowmen. For at least one day a year let us call to mind the things and people that warm our spirits and induce butterflies in our stomachs. Make a concerted effort to be thankful for what has happened in your life and also in the difference you have made in the lives of others. We can go back to being cynics on Friday.

Who Helps Whom?

2011-11-21T05:21:00.000-08:00

Why do we do nice things?

There are probably thousands of answers to this question and I had a great little article all ready to go until reality interrupted the theoretical universe I call home. I was literally sitting at my desk punching the keystrokes that composed my opening sentence when one of our residents stuck his head in my office (man, I really need to keep that door closed) and asked if I could give him a hand with something.

Sure, I thought. He probably needed something from the supply closet or maybe the kitchen was out of coffee. I could trouble myself to pause my very important blog submission and solve this crisis. I donned my martyr robe and asked him what he needed. My face had just the right mix of empathy and concern and I even leaned back in my chair to strike a 'how can I help you?' pose. His truck was stalled in our parking lot and he needed some guys to help push it so he could try and jump start it.

Ummm. I'm the Associate Director. I don't really do things like that. I don't mind fetching some paper towels once in a while or maybe making a few photocopies every now and then, but pulling some Dukes of Hazard stunt at 6:30 in the morning in 30 degree weather is not really in my job description.

Anyway... I am pretty wrapped up in writing this awesome article about the importance of helping people.

9 degrees

2011-11-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

Driving into work this morning I was already on my third cup of coffee when I blearily noticed the temperature screaming at me from one of the many neon signs dotting Highway 93.

5:37 am (blink, blink)... 9 degrees (blink, blink).

I heard a joke once. "How many idealists does it take to change a light bulb? The answer is none because an idealist has never changed anything; they just romanticize the problem."

Homelessness is an epidemic but what are some tangible solutions to addressing it? Noble intentions and heart moving rhetoric are wonderful things but they should not be viewed as anything but a means to an end. I believe many people want to help but sometimes this problem seems so overwhelming that it paralyzes those who could provide realistic solutions to homelessness. For those interested, don't try to change this light bulb all at once. Start small and know that any contributions are appreciated and part of a remedy to the greater illness.

Donations are very helpful. Warm clothing for this time of year is especially practical and will be a blessing. Food is another item that always makes a difference. Whether it is a home cooked meal or a bag of groceries, no contribution is too small. Another idea is to 'adopt' a family or individual. Samaritan House is full of residents that can use various items. Call us if you are interested, at 257-5801.

We are sincerely thankful for your help because we all understand that good intentions aside, 9 degrees is not a theoretical state. It is real and it is now and there are people outside living in it.

The Haps.

2011-11-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

So... it's been a while since any real information has been passed on to you, our faithful and loyal readers. There are always things happening around Samaritan House and the past few weeks have been no different.

As of this morning, we still have 6 tickets left for our raffle drawing the day after Thanksgiving. Each ticket is $100 but the overall grand prize is $2000, followed by $1000, there are also $200 and $100 prizes.

As the weather begins to change and grow colder, many of you have been kind enough to call and inquire about possibly 'adopting' a family or individual for the holidays. For more information on what our residents' needs are, please call Curt, who is heading coordinating these efforts. He can be reached from 6am-2pm, Monday through Friday at 257-5801.

Our Fall newsletter should be arriving soon, so please keep your eyes open for it. We will post some more updates soon. Have a great day and keep warm!

When you hear the word______

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Words conjure images that are often built upon stereotypes. Sometimes we find that its easier to label someone than deal with the reality that they are an individual with a past, present, and future.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "homeless?" Here is the final segment of our four-part interview that asks some people this very question.

What does homelessness look like?

Someone like me?

2011-11-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Did you know that 12% of the total population of Montana is homeless? Every person has a story and many people's journeys might surprise you.

Have you ever been homeless?

Who are the homeless?

2011-11-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

Please watch the second part of our interview with various people around the valley and their thoughts on the causes of homelessness.

Why be homeless?

Who we are.

2011-10-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

What is Samaritan House? Its an easy question.

I posed this question to Samaritan House Executive Director, Chris Krager, and his reply was, "We're finding that our community visibility is somewhat low. The good news is that there is always room for improvement."

Curiously, I began to wonder what people around the Flathead Valley thought of us. It is no stretch to say that our reputation is very positive in certain circles. Many of our residents travel from great distances hoping to find an open bed simply based on word of mouth within the homeless community. The Montana Veteran's Affairs office is always referring people to us because of the dedication and care exhibited by our staff.

But what about Kalispell? What about people who are not homeless? Does anyone out there even know we exist? I put my existential crisis on hold and thought it might be nice to find out, so I hit the street (metaphorically) and asked people what they thought about Samaritan House and a few other issues.

Here are the interviews dealing with Samaritan House. The rest of the segments will be up on this site soon. Much thanks to Ruth Krager for filming and editing these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4YmLuJlljI&feature=feedu

The end is the beginning

2011-10-31T04:54:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Samaritan House concluded the Fourth Friday Concert Series. We had some great music and food and raised a few bucks. Thanks to all of you that came out and supported us. But now the question becomes, "what now?"

November and December are notoriously difficult times to plan end-of-the-month functions because people are busy and time is a precious commodity that seems to be sparse around the holidays. Fair enough. Planning and executing a fundraiser that no one will attend is both frustrating and insane so here's the plan...

Samaritan House will be launching a freshly formatted event in the new year. We are unsure of what it will look like or how it will appear, but it will be revamped in a such a way that you will be happy to attend. Please stay tuned for the updates and other blogs on this site.

Also, our Fall Newsletter has been sent off to the press so it should be arriving shortly in a mailbox near you.

Fourth Friday Lunch and Concert

2011-10-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 28, from 12-1pm, Samaritan House is happy to present local musician Allie Andrews in conjunction with our final Fourth Friday Concert event. Originally from Orlando, Allie has been a resident of the Flathead Valley for 4 years. I won't try to compare her to other artists because, frankly, she is better than anyone I have heard in a long time and I feel others should be compared to her.

Allie draws inspiration from hiking, camping, and she is a avid snowboarder. Her reading tastes are eclectic, ranging from G.K. Chesterton to instructional manuals, depending on what mood she is in. Lyrics are vital to Allie and a message of unconditional love resounds when she performs. Please watch the interview and visit the link to see Allie's video for her song, 'Knock 'em Down.'

Please check back tomorrow because we will have an exclusive interview with Allie, but for now, YOU SHOULD REALLY take the time to watch her video for 'Knock em Down!'

Knock em Down

Come and join us on Friday, October 28, from noon -1pm at the Samaritan House Administrative Center, 1110 2nd Street West in Kalispell. A delicious lunch will be provided for a donation of $10 and the proceeds help Samaritan House immensely. Here is a preview of Friday's menu:

Homemade Rustic New Potato Soup
Belgian Creme Fresh Broccoli Soup
Country House Salad
Oven Baked Butter Rolls
Coco Chocolate Cake

Ten things to remember.

2011-10-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Top Ten lists are fun.

They give us a chance to reflect on a topic and then vehemently disagree with the author as we compile our own mental checklist that would be far superior. Sometimes we are angered or inspired by them. Perhaps they even knock a few cobwebs loose from the recesses of our memories and we recall things that we imagined were long gone. They elicit emotions.

So, in the tradition of great Top Ten lists (please forgive me, Letterman), I submit a list of childhood memories that are fun to remember. Also... I would love to hear from some of you (crickets chirping in the background). What are some childhood memories that you would like to share? Feel free to comment.

Top 10 Childhood Memories:
10. Fifth grade gym class... the day I won the dodgeball tournament vanquishing Josh G. to the annuls of loserdome. Finally.

9. Tying my little sister to the closet door with a slinky. (everyone loves a slinky).

8. Sitting on the porch waiting for my dad to get home from work just so I could run up and give him a hug.

7. The first time I watched Red Dawn. Then the second... and the third...

6. Mom's. Homemade. Ravioli. Dinners.

5. Going to my grandfather's farm and hanging out with him while I thought I was working but was really just getting in the way. Remembering his laugh and smile.

4. Vacations at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

3. The time I convinced my sister that I was a vampire for three days.

2. Super Mario Brothers.

1. Thinking that everyone, everywhere, was as happy as I was.

It's a shame reality rarely matches fantasy.

Do I know you?

2011-10-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

Often, when I meet someone for the first time, they get a funny look in their eye, tilt their head slightly and then ask if we've met before. I'm used to it by now but I am sorry there are (at least) a few other people going through life being mistakenly taken for me. I wonder if they get stopped in the supermarket and asked similar questions by people I have had fleeting conversations with?

Or how about when someone says you remind them of someone else? Ouch. All those years spent cultivating your personality and style and belief system just to be compared to some random stranger who has probably been doing the same thing just a few streets over from where you live.

Uniqueness is an idea that many people pride themselves on. We like being set apart from the rest of the herd and we point out the differences between ourselves and others with ferocity. So, how do you think I felt a few years ago when 3 different people called me within a 5-minute window to tell me there was a baseball game on TV and a guy in the stands, sitting behind home plate, looked "exactly like me." I was indignant until I checked for myself and saw this handsome devil who could have been my twin (except that I loathe the Atlanta Braves).

Strike two for the ego.

Why do many of us crave this sense of individuality? Are we born like this? Did our life's story and experiences do this? Both or none of the above? I'm not saying that its good or bad; just that it seems to be. Some cultures express and emphasize this more than others, but we're Americans and this trait is in our bloodline...our DNA. We like to stand out.

Well... sometimes.

I see a lot of people everyday who don't want attention drawn to their circumstances. They try to blend and morph into the backdrop of society so others won't notice them. Maybe its fear or embarrassment. Maybe its the remembrance that they, too, once loved standing out. Perhaps there is no worse feeling than marginalization for someone who is used to being lauded.

So, as the holidays approach (yikes), I humbly urge you to take some time and recognize those people who might be hiding because standing out has gone from a spotlight to a prison sentence.

The American Dream.

2011-09-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

When I was a little kid I believed in a lot of things that turned out not to be entirely true. The Eater Bunny and Tooth Fairy went 'poof' when I was around five. Old Man Christmas made one last descent down my chimney when I was eight and then I banished him to the realm of unicorns and the exploding-soda-and-pop-rocks-combination-farce.

I was also told, numerous times, that I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up. If I put in enough time and effort (see...there are catches already) the sky was the limit. Soon, once I discovered the tumultuous realm of long division, I scratched my plans involving space travel or anything else that necessitated me having to use scratch paper to achieve my end result. I was a bit disillusioned because I no longer found this mantra of Americana to be absolutely true. But, oh well, I could still be a world class soccer player.

As I grew older I revised this idea of unbridled and boundless potential to include categories where I showed potential... Thought perhaps I could be whatever I wanted as long as there was inclination and ability (my World Cup soccer hopes were dashed when I discovered I was probably the slowest kid in a three-state radius). It doesn't sound quite as catchy,"You can be whatever you want if you happen to have some natural talent in that area, and if not, the likelihood goes waaaay down." But, I found this to be truer than what was explained to me as a child. The one constant, however, is that time and effort were still a crucial part of the equation.

But what happens if a child is very talented or gifted in an area but their life's circumstances do not afford them the chance to develop these skills? Okay, I understand there are incredible stories of successful adults that bucked the odds and overcame traumatic and difficult childhoods to become legends in spite of their environment. These people are not the norm and for every Horatio Algers that struck it rich there are a thousand children who might not ever get a decent opportunity to soar because they lack a few basic things.

Like proper nutrition. Kids who do not eat breakfast go to school hungry and studies show that this affects a child's academic performance. What about privacy? How does trying to study while sharing a room with two other siblings because there are five people living in a one-bedroom apartment factor into this equation?

What if this 10 year old has responsibilities that other kids don't. Cooking dinner and looking after the other children until their mom gets home from work at 7:30pm. Then they can start their homework. Or what if they get sick and cannot afford to go to the hospital? Oh... never mind, there are free and reduced clinics. This solves everything.

My point is this: It is laughable to assume there is a level playing field in America that gives all children an equal opportunity to succeed. This is not a political blog and I will not blame (or praise) any specific party or endorse a political ideology. My sole indictment is reserved for anyone who is able to help children but refuses to. So, what does this look like? That is up to you. Start a free breakfast program. Volunteer to be a tutor or help in an after school program. Become a coach or mentor.

Just don't tell a child that he or she can be whatever they want unless you are willing to be part of the journey.

A cup of Joe.

2011-09-23T06:02:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here staring at this blank computer screen with no inspiration except a cup of the world's worst coffee. I'm serious, too. This java is rank. I've traveled a good bit and I rate this percolated monstrosity right up there with the stuff I drank in Port Au Prince last summer. Hey... wait a sec...

Maybe I could write about what it was like in Haiti last year and how I had never seen a country so utterly devastated yet still found many people so full of hope. Hope. Let's talk about that, instead. That's a neat little topic.

A long time ago there was a man from the Near Ancient East who called hope one of the three greatest attributes to humanity. Hope is an idea that looks into an abyss and sees a ray of light. It quells rationality and replaces it with the thought that things might get better. Okay, now perhaps I'm onto something: better.

For a thing to be 'better' there has to be a comparison to something that is not as good. It implies two (at a minimum) objects can be looked at objectively.... Oh! Objectivity. There's something to muse about. Now we're getting somewhere, aren't we?

If I am objective then I can divorce myself from any emotions that would try to creep into my life. Objectivity affords me the opportunity to go about my day and function rather than feel. This is so much better than having to face the issues that would require me to make the subtle changes... empathy over sympathy. Concern instead of condescension. Algerian author Albert Camus once said, "There is no possible salvation for the man who feels true compassion."

I, however, could just really use another cup of coffee. It's easier that way.

The vicious cycle.

2011-09-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

*Vince has skills. For the better part of three decades he worked in several Portland restaurants. He went to culinary school for a while but eventually quit so he could garner more on the job experience. He learned everything from how to prep a kitchen and plan a menu to the art of managing a staff and the whole of the kitchen. He loved his job and was good at it.

Fast forward 10 years and you would be hard pressed to recognize Vince. He appears older than his 56 years. He needs dental work and he gave up shaving quite a few years ago. He has lost weight and fidgets a little when he gets too uncomfortable. But there is something about his eyes.

They are steel gray, and they seem conflicted. They appear muted and a person call tell they have seen much: A foreclosure and a chemical dependency issue. The death of his spouce and unemployment. Over ten years of homelessness.

But then, every now and again, they flicker and resonate with the sparkle they held in his younger days. He remembers his days working at various restaurants and he knows that he still has some things to offer. He is sober and industrious and wants to make a clean start but there is a monster looming on his horizon that seems unable to be vanquished: His resume is a bit lacking.

After bouncing around Portland he left Oregon for the Flathead Valley in 2001. These were amongst his darkest days and he battled every day just to find a reason to wake up the next morning. He took jobs as a dishwasher and janitor in the very types of restaurants he might have managed in his old life.

Vince has chosen to make some changes and has been sober for nearly 3 years although he has not worked for more than five. He is at a place in his life where he now feels like he is hireable and will be a good and reliable employee. He wants to work but has difficulty even landing an interview for a job that many people would turn their nose at. Some estimates say that there are nearly 100 applications for most job openings. Without a resume and credible, updated references, Vince faces a daunting task in the hunt for gainful, honorable employment.

Sometimes people just need a chance.

*Not his real name.

Samaritan House Thanks...

2011-09-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

In late August, prior to the beginning of the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell, Samaritan House was blessed by some generous local businesses. Animals were purchased through the 4-H and the meat was donated to Samaritan House.

Thank you to the following organizations for such generous donations:

Flathead Electric Coop.
Kalispell Dairy Queen and Mary Dutter.
Bob and Laura White.
Alamon and Frank and Peg Gebhardt.

Valley Ford.
Jerry and Cynthia Kennedy.

Thank you to the following for processing the meat:

Lower Valley Meat Processing.

Meat Supply.

4th Friday Lunch & Concert Series Sept 23rd

2011-09-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Andre Floyd - also known as Montana's Cultural Minister will be bringing his talents to the Samaritan House 4th Friday Concert Series on September 23rd.
Andre, the quintessential musician, has been all over the world with his special brand of music. He's worked with such greats as Taj Mahal, Edgar Winter, Corky Siegal and much more. The $10 admission includes lunch and will prove to be a great time.
Here are the details:

Friday, September 23rd

Noon - 1:30 pm

Samaritan House Administrative Center

1110 2nd Street West

Kalispell, MT

(the former Army Reserve Center on the corner of

Meridian Rd and 2nd St West)

$10 admission includes the concert and lunch

Where will you be?

2011-09-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

We all have those times in our life that serve as reference points... the moments where the clock freezes and we're suspended in a state somewhere between bewilderment and denial. These situations might not totally define who we are, but they definitely contribute to our personal perspective on the world.

Ten years ago I took a team of volunteers to Ground Zero after the towers came down. We worked with the Salvation Army feeding the rescue workers around the clock in 12-hour shifts as they tried to extract bodies from the rubble. It marked me.

Many of us can recall with great specificity what we were doing on that day in 2001. It was an unintentional bonding moment most of us never want to relive. We were all changed. And while the memories still resonate and the feelings of that day will never quite fade totally into oblivion, time does have a way to add perspective that allows us to stop and catch our breath before we move on. If we can move on.

Lets be honest, this world is an indifferent place that often places us into scenarios that we did not foresee. We are often forced to react to situations that we never anticipated. Sometimes we face these demons alone and other times we are surrounded by an audience. But these times still come.

And they come often.

Devastation is not constrained to a universal form. Often it comes in waves that are still and quiet and excruciatingly painful. Other times is is a cacophony of confusion and chaos that screams for attention. Whatever the wrappings, it provides us an opportunity to make a choice. A chance to (re)define our livelihood. Will we embrace hope and move forward and cling to the belief that things will get better? Or will we resign ourselves to a fearful existence that cowers and makes no attempt to improve the situation?

Where will we be?

And the results are in...

2011-09-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

Executive Director Chris Krager wears many hats at Samaritan House. One day he might be locked up in meetings while the next he is bombarded with countless questions and people needing to bend his ear. He is gracious and listens and does his best to promote the general well being of his staff and residents.

One aspect of his job goes unseen by the public. Several times during the course of a year Chris turns into a self-imposed hermit so he can focus on writing grants that help secure the longevity of Samaritan House. It is no fun chore to stare at a computer screen and answer an absurd amount of questions for, literally, days upon days. Seriously, why bother?

The answer is simple. At the end of each project and marathon grant-writing session Chris doesn't see numbers or statistics. He sees people. Each percentage point is more than a statistical representation... it is a person who was helped. Seeing behind the numbers is a necessity in order to not lose the vision behind Samaritan House.

With that in mind, here are the numbers from the latest transitional housing APR summary. Transitional housing can be thought of as longer-term shelter with case management. The residents can stay for up to 2 years.

In 2010, Samaritan House Transitional Housing served 121 homeless people.
* 42 single adults
* 34 parents with 45 children

The average length of stay was seven months and one week.

29% were homeless veterans

31% were chronically homeless

65% were homeless families

79% of discharging clients went on to a greater permanency in housing

90% of discharged clients had an increased income
Upon discharge, clients experienced an average increase on income of $118 per month.

There were 5 clients that were unable to be served.

Two babies were born during the mother's stay.

One gentleman passed away.

91% average occupancy rate... we are almost always full.

Will a change do you good?

2011-09-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

Throughout the course of history there have been a great deal of smart people. I take that back... brilliant people.

The same human gene pool that is responsible for terrible things like war and poverty and anything to do with late 1980s glam rock also can be credited for amazing things like solar energy and MRI machines and Honda Civics. Suffice it to say, we have been destroying and creating things since the first humans rubbed two sticks together.

There have also been some truly incredible ideas and philosophies that have been passed down through the halls of time. Such wisdom covering topics like survival (stop running with those scissors), health (a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips), and morality (if you don't want it done to you then stop doing it to others). Most of these are pretty right-on and have contributed to the evolution and development of all kinds of societies. There is one pithy saying, however, that might be worth some discussion.

"A change will do you good."

Now, let's be honest. Most of us have uttered these six words at some point in our life. Usually, it corresponds with a situation where we are experiencing some chaos or disequilibrium in our life and the best thing we can think of is to get outta Dodge as quickly as possible. The idea is that if we can distance ourselves from whatever is momentarily plaguing us, we can catch our breath and recover and all will be right with the universe until it is time for another change to do us even better.

The problem, as I see it, is that all change does is extract us from one scenario and plop us down into virgin territory where we are likely to face the same issues from a whole different perspective. The change we make has potential to be a catalyst for a better life, but it should not be the ideal we seek. Really, all a change does is give you an opportunity. If we are honest, we could just as easily argue that "a change might do us ill."

I propose the new statement should be this... (cue the drum roll but then be prepared for disappointment). "Improvement will do us good!" Now, right about now you are likely thinking this is so elementary and self-evident that it really goes without saying. I will concede that point, but than ask why isn't the expression "an improvement will do us good"?

Because improvement takes effort and time and work and is messy. Improving our situation entails more than packing up and switching zip codes. Improvement acknowledges that our problems might actually follow us to said zip codes. Improvement says the problem could actually be us and not Kansas. What changes do we need to make in our life? What support network do we have to rely on? It might be difficult, but it can be done.

Do we see hope at the end of the tunnel or just more tail lights from our rearview mirror as we flee another situation in a desperate attempt to simply change our way out of a bad time?

(do) We hold these truths to be self-evident...?

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Founding Fathers of America were an interesting lot. These upper class, white, (mostly) land-holding gentlemen held beliefs that were used as the bedrock for our political and moral system. They wrote documents and sparked revolution and created an environment that roused other (mostly not upper class) Americans to take up arms and rebel against the dominant world power at that time.

But, alas... this is neither a history lesson nor a political endorsement. Rather, I was struck by something written in The Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson uses the phrase, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Self-evidence is a marvelous thing because it eliminates outside mitigating factors that might force us to live in someone else's reality.It is up to the individual to decide what is important.

If an idea or belief is self-evident, then it should be easy enough to demonstrate; It should be obvious. All men are created equal...

...unless they make minimum wage
...or they are a different religion.

...if they have a college degree
...or a boat on the lake.

...unless they don't have a fixed address
...or eat their meals at a shelter.

...if we belong to the same social circles
...or we feel comfortable around one another.

Do we really believe this... that all people are created equal? Or is it merely a quaint patriotic cloak we wrap ourselves in as we look down on others who are not us? Our treatment of one another is (evidently) what helps define who we are. The next time we decide that we are 'proud to be an American,' maybe we can take a minute to reflect on what this could mean. That the implications of our beliefs have long-lasting effects on ourselves and those we rub shoulders with every day. True patriotism demands an equality based on the value of each person.

Montanans are patriotic people and proper patriotism is something to be applauded.

...self-evidently speaking, that is.

My apologies to Kiefer Suntherland...

2011-08-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

The following takes place between 12am and 11pm. *Terry's name has been changed to conceal an identity.

Midnight
Me: Sleeping.
Terry: Sleeping.

1am
Me: Sleeping.
Terry: Sleeping.

2am
Me: Sleeping.
Terry: Sleeping.

3am
Me: Sleeping.
Terry: Sleeping.

4am
Me: Wake up around 4:45 to begin my day; put on some coffee and steal a glance at the news so I can solve all life's problems. Begin to shake the cobwebs from my head.
Terry: Sleeping.

5am
Me: Slug down some more coffee and look through my pantry before deciding there is nothing that I want to eat. Check on my sleeping children and set the lawn sprinkler before I leave for work.
Terry: Wake up and wait for the dining room to open so he can get some coffee. Try to be as quiet as possible as not to wake up roommates.

6am
Me: Arrive at Samaritan House and check on the previous days activities. Sort through the pantry and refrigerators to see what is available to serve the residents for breakfast. Do my best Gordon Ramsay impression before deciding on donated precooked breakfast sandwiches and pancakes.
Terry: Take a shower in the communal bathroom and then go outside to get some fresh air while waiting for breakfast. Finally grab some coffee.

7am
Me: Serve breakfast and scurry around getting the residents the supplies they need to do their respective chores.
Terry: Eat breakfast and head back outside talk to other residents. Make a game plan for the rest of the day.

8am
Me: Settle into my office and answer emails and other responses to various projects. Answer the odd or occasional question from anyone who knocks on my door.
Terry: Sweep and mop the hallway of the shelter. Go back to the room and rummage through belongings to find some papers that needed to be filled out. Try to figure out how to dress for the day. It looks like rain.

9am
Me: Return phone calls to people and businesses who have been partnering with us. Force myself to drink some water to balance out the caffeine intake. Perform room inspections.
Terry: Leave the shelter and try to fill the day until residents can return to Samaritan House at 4 pm. Walk to the job service to turn in some forms.

10am
Me: Staff meeting to discuss policy rewrites.
Terry: Still at job service office.

11am
Me: Check back with the kitchen to see what is available to serve the Veterans lunch. The leftovers from the previous evening's dinner looks promising. Get everything prepped and into the oven. Sort through some donated items and put them away.
Terry: Walk to the park and wait for lunch.

Noon
Me: Serve lunch and clean up. Sulk back into the office knowing I only have 2 more hours of work left. Make a trip to the food bank to drop off some items and pick up some donated food.
Terry: Walk to an organization that serves free lunch. Eat and then walk back to the park.

1pm
Me: Meet with some potential volunteers who are considering assisting us by cooking and serving dinner.
Terry: Walk to the library to get out of the rain. Read some books on world history. Check the internet.

2pm
Me: Log out at work and depart for home. Call my folks back on the east coast.
Terry: Still at the library. Email family who live out of state. Head to the laundromat to wash some clothes.

3pm
Me: Pick the kids up from school and help them with homework. Play with them for a while until my wife gets home from her job.
Terry: Finish washing clothes and go to the store to pick up a few things. Begin the journey back to Samaritan House, trying not to drop the bags.

4pm
Me: Hang out with my family and hear how my wife's day went. Run to the post office to check the mail and then hit the grocery store to pick up some food. Arrive home and fire up the grill.
Terry: Go back to the room and try to find a place to put the items purchased at the store. Read a book.

5pm
Me: Eat dinner and compulsively switch back and forth between Sportscenter, Food Network, and CNN.
Terry: Sort through some employment opportunities and then walk a few blocks to the Samaritan House Administrative Center for dinner.

6pm
Me: Go to Target. Go to Shopko. Go to Starbucks. Go Home.
Terry: Eat dinner. Drink coffee. Walk back to the room.

7pm
Me: Read for a while and then put on a movie. Begin getting the kids cleaned up.
Terry: Read for a while and work on a crossword puzzle.

8pm
Me: Some friends come over to visit. Put the kids to bed.
Terry: Smoke break outside and sit on the bench. Begin to think about the next day.

9pm:
Me: Take a shower and do some last minute things around the house.
Terry: Read. One final break outside before having to check in before the stroke of 10.

10pm
Me: Watch the news and go to bed.
Terry: Go to bed.

11pm
Me: Sleeping.
Terry: In bed but wide awake.

24

2011-08-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go."
- Tennessee Williams.

Time. It's an idea or concept that many people take for granted or ignore until they find themselves running out of it. There are only so many hours in a day and our schedules are often so packed that we never seem to find a spare minute. How we construct our days are, largely, our own doing. We might complain about the job we have or the events dictating our existence, but many people are products of an environment in which they have some semblance of control.

It's rare to hear a person lament the overabundance of time on their hands.

This is not a tangible reality for a lot of people so the idea of 'killing time' loses meaning. As a rigid schedule marches an individual through the day, a byproduct emerges from the chaos of such a frenzied routine: purpose. The fact that a person is so busy implies there is an element of purpose to their life that is driving them to be that busy in the first place. When an individual can assign meaning to their life, that life becomes not only tolerable, but an air of excitement and hope seeps in.

But what happens when a person is faced with countless hours and not much to do? Being left alone with nothing more than your thoughts and reflections can cage a person and remind them that life is not turning out the way they imagined. Not having a strict schedule allows the mind to wander to places that can produce joy and madness in a single moment.

My name is Curt and I'm the new guy at Samaritan house. My next post will be an hourly comparison between myself and a resident at Samaritan House. Draw from this what you will. How does your day parallel the life of the homeless? I am not asking you to walk a mile in another person's shoes; instead just imagine a different day.

All hands on deck...

2011-07-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity at the Samaritan House Administrative Center. Local volunteers, as well as trekkers from across the state, donated their blood, sweat and tears (mostly the sweat) in a monumental effort to help Samaritan House refurbish and retool the campus.

Pictured, is a group from St. Bernard's Catholic Church from Billings. Paint was flung, weeds got plucked, overgrown hedges met their fate, and stoves were scoured by selfless individuals who wanted nothing more that to lend a helping hand. The attitudes were matched only by the weather, which was absolutely ideal.

There are changes on the horizon at Samaritan House beginning next week as we endeavor to serve dinner at the administrative center. More on this later...

Clays for Kids

2011-07-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

I participated in a great event over the weekend - Clays for Kids - a clay shooting event aimed at raising money to help organizations that assist hungry and homeless children.

Pictured above is Clint Walker (on right) and myself representing Samaritan House and Homeless in the Flathead.

The local CBS affiliate KAJ-TV did a very nice video covering the event - click here to view.

The Vampire and the Hoarder.

2011-07-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

Blood loss is not typically a good thing. We often go out of our way to prevent any sort of activity that might induce a spilt drop or two. Securing mass quantities of a particular item also smacks of behavior that is frowned upon by society. On July 20th, Samaritan House was a willing participant in both a massive blood-letting and the stock-piling of commodities.

And it was great.

The Red Cross held a blood drive at the Samaritan House's campus at the old armory. Thirty-five people donated their time, energy, and platelets. At the same time, a food drive was unfolding beneath the same roof. It was a beautifully orchestrated dance of charity and selflessness that will benefit countless faces who did not have the opportunity to set foot on the premises. Volunteers from across the community inundated both Samaritan House campuses doing everything from painting to organizing food.

Some of Kalispell's needs were met on two very distinct levels. First, the medical ramifications of the blood drive cannot be underscored. The Red Cross provides an invaluable service to the community and it was an honor to partner with them on this endeavor.

Lastly, Samaritan House was able to expand our pantry which will allow more people to eat and have some basic needs addressed. The volunteers did an amazing job and shouldered a great deal of the burden on this project. Thanks to all who donated and made this a successful event.

Thanks to all the vampires and the hoarders!

Project Homeless Connect and Veterans Assistance - Kalispell, Montana

2011-06-20T13:54:00.001-07:00

Project Homeless Connect & Veterans Help at Samaritan House June 16th and 17th

2011-06-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Project Homeless Connect will be at Samaritan House Administrative Center June 16th and 17th. This two day event promises to offer local homeless with much needed assistance.
Project Homeless Connect is a one stop community wide event that will host every available service and organization to help the homeless.
Project Homeless Connect is an international movement to end homelessness which has been replicated in over 200 cities including Missoula and Billings. The purpose is to help eliminate barriers that prevent homeless people from gaining access to aid. Key characteristics of Project Homeless Connect include: Hospitality, Immediacy, Partnership, Community and Excellence.
The Interagency Council on Homelessness says this of the event, "Project Homeless Connect is equal parts welcoming homeless neighbors into the life of the community, changing the way resources are accessed, and acheiving quantifiable results for the people experiencing homelessness."
Here are the details:
Dates & Time: June 16th, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
June 17th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Samaritan House Administrative Center
Address: 1110 2nd St. West
Kalispell, MT 59901
Services Available include Pet Services, Medical Help, Educational Help, Financial Education, SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Social Security Application Info, TANF Applications, Healthy Montana Kids, CHIPS, Office of Public Assistance, Food, Healthcare, Childcare, Housing Counseling, Legal Services, Mental Health Case Management, Literacy Help, Personal Hygiene Products, Clothing, Haircuts, Veterans Services, Senior Services, Job Services, Transportation, Assistance towards Photo IDs, Gas Vouchers, Cell Phone Minutes and a free warm lunch will be served both days.

Samaritan House "Reach Around" Concert Series Presents the Kalispell Middle School Orchestra Students

2011-05-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

This month the Samaritan House "Reach Around" Fourth Friday Concert & Lunch Series features music from the Kalispell Middle School Orchestra Students. The menu includes Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup, Fiesta Taco Soup, Fresh Green Salad, Breadsticks and Warm Apple Crisp.
Here are the details:
Date: Friday, May 27th
Time: Noon - 1:00 pm
Where: Samaritan House Administrative Center
Address: 1110 2nd St. West
Kalispell, MT 59901
(The former US Army reserve Center on the corner of Meridian Rd. and 2nd St. West, across from Peterson Elementary School.)
$10 ticket includes concert and lunch.
For more information call (406) 257-5284.

Samaritan House "Reach Around" Concert Series

2011-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Samaritan House "Reach Around" Concert Series Presents Terry Hill

2011-03-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Terry Hill, a long time friend of Samaritan House and well known musician of the Flathead Valley will be the featured artist in this month's fourth friday concert series.
Why go out to lunch when you could come have lunch with us, hear some good live music and support your local homeless shelter?
Here are the details:

Friday, March 25th

Noon - 1:30 pm

Samaritan House Administrative Center

1110 2nd St West

Kalispell, Montana

(the former Army Reserve Center on the corner of Meridian Rd & 2nd St W)

tickets are $10 and include lunch and the concert

4th Annual "Cowboy Up" for Samaritan House Event - April 30th

2011-03-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year again to help Samaritan House meet the challenge of homelessness in Northwest Montana and have fun doing it. The 4th Annual "Cowboy Up" benefit dinner concert and auction will be held on April 30th at Gardner Auction Service, on Highway 93 South, behind Mergenthaler's.
Tickets for the benefit at $30 each will include a pig roast dinner, live and silent auction, ticket holder raffle and live music from the Smart Alex. Beer and Wine will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:00 pm, dinner begins at 5:30 pm, the live auction begins at 6:00 pm and the music begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at Samaritan House, 1110 2nd Streeet West in Kalispell, Montana (406) 257-5284.
Samaritan House is one of Montana's few homeless shelters. It provides a Transitional Housing program with Case Management services, a kitchen and cafeteria and a broad range of services and supports to help break the cycle of homelessness. In 2010, Samaritan House served over 1,180 local homeless people and provided more than 26,000 meals in the cafeteria.
Smart Alex is a four-piece band with over 134 years of combined musical performance experience. They play a wide variety of music including classic rock, swing and country.

Open House on Wednesday, March 2nd

2011-02-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

Samaritan House will be requesting a Conditional Use Permit and would like input from our neighbors and Parents of Peterson Elementary School Students. To help with this process Samaritan House will be hosting an Open House event at the Samaritan House Administrative Center (pictured above) on Wednesday, March 2nd. The Open House will begin at 5:30 and go until 7:00 pm. There will be a brief presentation at 5:30 with a Q & A to follow. Light refreshments and tours will be available.

Open House at Samaritan House Administrative Center

Wednesday, March 2nd

5:30 - 7:00 pm with a brief presentation at 5:30 pm

1110 2nd St West

Kalispell, MT 59901

In brief here are some details of what the Conditional Use Permit will be asking for:

Office Space for Samaritan House Administration. Acquiring this building has made it possible for Samaritan House to add 11 new beds to the shelter location at 124 9th Ave W.
Tutoring Program. Children in homeless families often find it difficult to remain current with school work. This tutoring program will offer a consistent time and place to get this necessary help. Samaritan House Tutoring is done by Mrs. Barb Peterson, a retired school teacher from Peterson Elementary School.
GED and Tele-Medical Services. A full GED study curriculum will be available with the help of Literacy Volunteers to assist a client in preparation for taking the GED test. Tele-Medical Services will make it possible for clients to speak with their doctors and counselors where they are and make this care more accessible.
Dental and Medical Clinic for clients in need of affordable care.
Food, Clothing and Furniture Pantries will receive donated items and in turn give these items to clients who need them at no charge to the client.
Kitchen and Cafeteria for Samaritan House clients only. Meal times are:

Breakfast 7:00 - 8:00 am

Lunch Noon - 1:00 pm

Dinner 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Other important things to know about Samaritan House programs:

Samaritan House does not serve Sex Offenders, Violent Offenders or sometimes even anyone with a felony of an aggresive nature.
Samaritan House facilities are well staffed. Every meal time has a distinct start time and stop time.
Every person at Samaritan House is working with Samaritan House Case Management.
Samaritan House sees great success with its clients. Client outcomes are as follows:

- 86% have a greater permanency in housing upon discharge.

- 90% see an increase in their income or skill level upon discharge.

- 100% have a greate sense of self-determination upon discharge.

The Annual Homeless Survey for Flathead County consistently shows around 483 homeless people. This makes Samaritan House only 18% of what is needed to properly address this areas homelessness issue.
In 2010, Samaritan House turned away 803 local homeless people. This represents 24,090 bed nights (803 x 30 days average length of stay = 24,090).
Samaritan House clients have lived in Flathead County an average of 5 years, they are local people, neighbors, relatives and co-workers.
Moving services to the Samaritan House Administrative Center will provide for space to create additional beds at the original shelter location. This will directly help us more adequately address the growing issue of homelessness in Flathead County.
The Conditional Use Permit for this plan will state that Samaritan House is requesting "Homeless Shelter" simply because that is the category title. There are no beds requested in the application. The facility will also not be a "day shelter" or "hang out". Samaritan House is requesting homeless shelter with the restriction that there be no beds at the facility. "Homeless Shelter" with no shelter aspect.

Samaritan House Fourth Friday Lunch & Concert - John Dunnigan

2011-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

John Dunnigan will be February's featured artist for the Samaritan House Fourth Friday Lunch & Concert Series. The event is a fundraiser for Samaritan House, a homeless shelter in Kalispell. The $10 ticket includes lunch,soup, salad, dessert and more...
John Dunnigan is a Musician, Songwriter, Entertainer, Baseball Coach, Pancake Maker, Lawn Mower and a very funny man.
He has been fortunate to play music for a living almost his entire life. Pick any stringed instrument and odds are he can pick it - guitar, banjo, pedal steel. He also blows a mean harp. For more about John you can visit his site here.
Here are the details about the event:
Who: John Dunnigan
What: Samaritan House Fourth Friday Lunch & Concert Series
Where: Samaritan House Admin Building
1110 2nd St West
Kalispell, MT 59901
(the former US Army Reserve Center on the corner of Meridian Rd & 2nd St., across the street from Peterson Elementary School.)
When: Friday, February 25th, Noon-1:30 pm.

Find John Dunnigan of Facebook here.

Find Samaritan House on Facebook here.

Christmas at the Shelter

2010-12-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

(Santa visits the kids at Samaritan House)

(Pastor Dan Heskett of Northridge Lutheran Church delivers gifts from their Giving Tree)

(Rob Quist entertains the crowd at the fundraiser luncheon)

This is a very heartwarming time at Samaritan House. Several people, businesses and churches have given presents for our shelter guests. Everyone here will be getting presents directly because of the generosity of the community. Many of the children were not expecting much of a Christmas this year, much less a real Santa. When a child sees the words "From Santa" on a gift, it seems to give them hope.
Likewise for Samaritan House itself this is a very heartwarming time of year. Charitable donations are how Samaritan House is able to operate the homeless shelter throughout the year. Most of those charitable donations arrive in the last few weeks of the year. To make donating even more accessible we also offer online giving.

Samaritan House would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation for your continued support of the people that mean so much to us.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-20T07:06:00.001-08:00

Montana Homeless Person's Memorial Day is December 21st. This also happens to be the first day of winter - the longest night of the year. There will be a memorial service at noon in Helena Women's Park. Sherri Downing from the Montana Coalition for the Homeless has collected the names of Montana's friends and neighbors who have died this year while homeless. Last year, there were 28 names. The event lasts about an hour and is held outside so people can understand what some of our neighbors are trying to survive. It has been a quick start to the winter season this year. In fact, the Daily InterLake reported last week that precipitation for the year is 19.96 inches, 3.71 inches ahead of the long term average and 6.76 inches ahead of last year. I verified myself with the National Weather Service that this year has averaged 2.3 degrees colder than normal. Samaritan House staff have added beds wherever possible resulting in greater numbers of people served than we could have imagined for this year.

We are coming in to the holidays in need of your help. Charitable donations are down while demand for services are at an all-time high.

In your holiday giving would you please consider Samaritan House. Thank you.

A Home of Their Own

2010-11-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

Kristi Albertson, a reporter for the Daily InterLake newspaper just did an article about a family that Samaritan House was recently privileged to help.

The article is called, "A Home of Their Own" and it follows this family through the shelter and on towards their move in day, the day they get a home of their own...

Rob Quist Concert & Lunch to Benefit Samaritan House

2010-11-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

Samaritan House will be hosting Rob Quist for a lunchtime concert on Friday, December 10th, 12:00 pm (Noon). The event will be at the Samaritan House Administration Building - the former armor reserve building on Meridian Rd. The $10 admission will include lunch, all proceeds to benefit Samaritan House, the local homeless shelter.
Rob Quist, a rancher's son and native Montanan, is recognized as one of the West's best known songwriters, composers and main stage performers.
Samaritan House has been working to provide Montana hospitality to some of the community's most vulnerable citizens. The shelter is full and overflowing. Demand for services is at an all-time high due to the recent difficult economic scenario and exreme weather conditions.
Everyone is encouraged to come, have lunch and help support Samaritan House, a local homeless shelter.
Here are the details:
What: Rob Quist Concert & Lunch
When: Friday, December 10th at Noon
Where: Samaritan Hosue Admin Building
1110 2nd Street West
Kalispell, MT 59901
Cost: $10 includes lunch and concedrt
Directions: On the corner of Meridian Rd. and 2nd Street West - across the street from Peterson Elementary School.

Billy - Homeless in the Flathead

2010-10-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

High Poverty Rates According to New Report

2010-09-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

This week the goverment released new economic data that shows high poverty levels. The report continues to say that there are more "working poor" than there has been in decades.
Jessica Headley a reproter for KCFW (Kalispell's NBC affiliate) came to the shelter to put a local face on the economic report. The article is titled, "Flathead Valley Isn't Surprised to Hear High American Poverty Rates." Click the link there to read the article and see the video.

Flathead Parade of Homes

2010-08-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

The Flathead Valley Parade of Homes will be September 10th - 12th. If you are considering attending you really shold buy your tickets from Alliance Title, 501 S. Main St. in Kalispell. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Samaritan House. Alliance Title phone number is (406) 752-7606.

July 21st at Tamarack Brewing Company

2010-07-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

Samaritan House 20 Year Celebration and Open House BBQ

2010-06-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Everyone is invited! Come help us celebrate 20 years of serving the homeless of the Flathead Valley.
What: 20th Birthday Celebration and Open House BBQ
Date: July 11th, 2010
Time: Noon - 4 pm
Place: Samaritan House Administration Building
(the former armory on Meridian Rd. across from Peterson Elementary School)
Come have a burger, enjoy some live music by Tim Torgerson and Jason Singleton, and see the Samaritan House.

20 years doesn't seem like that long though it is still a major achievement and something that deserves celebrating. What started as a small shelter in a rented apartment has grown into a multi-dimensional approach to homelessness. Samaritan House's rich history of community support and collaboration has provided for thousands of the area's most vulnerable citizens.
Some of the more notable milestones in Samaritan House's history are:

July 11th, 1990 Samaritan House came into existence from it's previous version Flathead Public Housing, Inc. Executive Director, Sister June Kenny came to Samaritan House from the Poverello Center, Inc. a homeless shelter in Missoula, Montana.
1998 - With the help of a courageous group of community volunteers and the City of Kalispell Community Development Dept., Samaritan House expanded to include Transitional Housing, a bigger shelter and additional permanent housing. It was at this time that Community Action Partners of Northwest Montana (then called Northwest Montana Human Resources) gifted Samaritan House with eight additional housing units for low-income permanent housing.
2002 - Demand for services reached the number of beds available, essentially every bed has remained full every night.
2002 - Samaritan House joined the Montana Continuum of Care for Homelessness. This made Samaritan House part of a greater statewide system of homeless services and formalized the Case Management services.
January, 2004 - Samaritan House established it's Homeless Veterans Program. This brought a valuable collaboration between the Regional VA at Ft. Harrison, the local VA Clinic and Samaritan House offering services to our local homeless veterans.
January, 2007 - Samaritan House began to offer Outreach Services.
July, 2008 - Samaritan House acquires Sonstelie Hall USARC, the former armory property on Meridian Rd. across from Peterson Elementary School. This acquisition more than doubled Samaritan House's property holdings and brought greater versatility.
March, 2010 - Samaritan House adds 13 beds to the shelter, a 26% growth for the shelter.

Project Homeless Connect Kalispell, Montana Pictures

2010-06-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Project Homeless Connect in Kalispell, Montana at the Samaritan House was a major success. Here are the Montana NPR interviews from the event as it aired on the Montana Evening Edition of Thursday, June 10th.

Project Homeless Connect

2010-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Project Homeless Connect is tomorrow at the Samaritan House Administration Building. It is essentially a one-day, one-stop event that will host every available service to help the homeless. It is community-wide including services from several other agencies, non-profits and organizations.

Project Homeless Connect is an international movement to end homelessness which has been replicated in over 200 cities across the United States including Billings and Missoula. The purpose is to help eliminate barriers that prevent homeless people from gaining access to aid.

Key characteristics of Project Homeless Connect include: Hospitality, Immediacy, Partnership, Community and Excellence.

"Project Homeless Connect is equal parts welcoming homeless neighbors into the life of the community, changing the way resources are accessed, and acheiving quantifiable results for the people experiencing homelessness." - Interagency Council on Homelessness

Here are the details:

Date: June 9th, 2010, 9am - 4pm

Location: Samaritan House Administration Building

Address: 1110 2nd St. West in Kalispell, Montana

Services Available: Pet Services, Medical Help, Educational Help, Financial Education, SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Social Security Application Info, TANF Applications, Healthy Montana Kids, CHIPs, Food, Child Care, Housing Counseling, Legal Services, Mental Health, Case Management, Literacy Help, Personal Hygiene Products, Clothing, Haircuts, Veteran Services, Senior Services, Job Services, Transportation, Assistance towards Photo IDs, Gas Vouchers, Cell Phone Minutes, and lunch will be served.

Little Caesars Love Kitchen Serves Free Pizza to the Needy in Kalispell

2010-05-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

(The Little Caesars "Love Kitchen" in parked in front of Samaritan House.)

Kalispell, MT, May 21, 2010 - The Little Caesars Love Kitchen came to the Samaritan House to provide fresh Little Caesars to feed approximately 100 people on May 24th.

A pizza kitchen on wheels, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen travels across the continental United States and Canada meeting the needs of the hungry, the homeless and disaster survivors.

"The Love Kitchen was created to provide quality meals for people who need them," said Little Caesars local franchisee Susan Hill. "As a member of the area business community, it's important to me to support people when they need it and help make the community stronger. I'm excited to support this program with food and staff to provide a quality meal for people who otherwise may not get one."

The Little Caesars Love Kitchen has fed more than two million people in 48 states and four Canadian provinces. It has also responded to disasters such as recent floods in North Dakota and Iowa, the hurricanes in the Gulf area in 2008 and in 2005, the site of the World Trade Center attacks on Sept 11, 2001, and the 1995 Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City. Established by Little Caesars in 1985, the Love Kitchen exemplifies Little Caesars' long standing tradition of giving back to America's communities.

"We know that it's important to reach out to the communities where we do business, and help make a difference," said David Scrivano, president, Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc. "As a family company, we are proud to work together with our local franchisees and company-owned stores to coordinate the vehicle, staff and food to be there for people in Kalispell who need assistance."

Local Little Caesars franchise owners and company regional offices donate all food and labor costs for the Love Kitchen servings. An estimated 50,000 Little Caesars franchise owners and employees have volunteered their time over the years to support the program in their local communities.

(Shown below is David Fox the driver of the Love Kitchen and Susan Hill owner of the local Little Caesars franchise as they make pizzas in the Love Kitchen for the Samaritan House residents.)

Photos of the 3rd Annual "Cowboy Up" Event

2010-04-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Photos by Ruthie Krager

3rd Annual "Cowboy Up" for the Samaritan House coming April 10th

2010-03-29T15:30:00.001-07:00

3rd Annual "Cowboy Up" for the Samaritan House

Help the Samaritan House meet the challenge of homelessness in Northwest Montana during these tough economic times.

The third annual benefit for the Samaritan House homeless shelter will be held on Saturday, April 10th at Gardner Auction Service, on Highway 93 South, behind Mergenthaler's.

Tickets for the benefit at $35 each will include a pig roast dinner, live and silent auction and ticket holder raffle. Music will be provided by Smart Alex. Beer and Wine will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5 pm, dinner begins at 5:30 pm, the live auction starts at 6 pm and the music begins about 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the Samaritan House, 124 9th Avenue West, Kalispell, 257-5801.

The Samaritan House is one of Montana's few homeless shelters and the only shelter in Northwest Montana to offer case management services. It provides a transitional housing program and a broad range of services and support to help break the cycle of homelessness. In 2009, Samaritan House served over 1,167 individuals and families, provided almost 25,000 meals and helped 142 homeless veterans with food and shelter. Over 600 homeless people had to be turned away in 2009 because the shelter was full.

Smart Alex is a four-piece band with over 130 years of combined musical performance experience. They play a wide variety of music including classic rock, swing and country.

When Living in a Motel is No Vacation

2010-03-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

Check out this great article on hotel living by St. Louis Today. It is an audio slideshow about homelessness and living temporarily in low priced hotels. Click below for an interesting glimpse into the lives of people just trying to get by:
Motel Manor: Suburban Homelessness in St. Charles County / St. Louis Today
This happens in our neighborhood.

Encouraging

2010-01-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Received this encouraging little note with a donation:

Greetings -

Six and a half years ago Samaritan House helped our daughter and three grandchildren into an apartment in Kalispell. Now our daughter is in her second year in a teaching position here in Oregon; granddaughter and her husband are in post graduate study at Church Seminary and two grandsons are in college. Thanks for being there for them when they were in need. We hope that this will help you assist others who are now in need.

Christmas at Samaritan House

2009-12-28T13:15:00.001-08:00

Sometimes the holidays can be a tough time for people at the Samaritan House with no where to call home or maybe no one to share it with. This is a great time at the shelter, food, volunteers and presents for everyone making for a festive time despite difficult circumstances.

Lucky

2009-12-16T23:33:00.001-08:00

Photo by Ruthie Krager

The years show on his face. His smile is only noticed with a second look. His bed and likely all his belongings are there over his shoulder. Trust me when I say that he's told us how grateful he is to be there. Usually every bed is full like this every night so he is one of the lucky ones.
Some don't get in and mornings like last Tuesday are why this is serious.

This has been an amazing year for the Samaritan House. We opened a new building, this came with repairs unforseen. The economic downturn not only affected our budget but it brought a whole wave of people needing our help. Truth is, we are coming in to the end of the year in the red but fully confident that we've maintained hospitality to the least of these.
One great way to help is coming Friday, December 18th. Fresh Life Radio is presenting a Christmas movie double feature in Fresh Life Church's newly opened Liberty Theater. At 5 pm at the Liberty Theater there will be a showing of Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas: A Tale of Christmas Giving and at 7 pm It's A Wonderful Life. It is a paper goods drive for the Samaritan House to offset the shelter expense of paper goods i.e. TP, paper towels, napkins etc. Admission to the movies is a donation of a paper goods item.
Several reasons to go... to support the shelter, your curiosity about the historic Liberty Theater, the chance to see a great classic film on the big screen again or simply your love for talking vegetables.

Thanksgiving Day Recap

2009-12-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

It was great fun and hard work. We fed a lot of people and kept a community tradition going. We fed around 640 people and delivered 347 meals. Video coverage by KAJ-TV here.

Here are a few pictures of the Sykes Thanksgiving Day Dinner:

Planning to Address Montana's Homelessness

2009-11-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Sitting in this meeting trying to address Montana's homelessness issue, it's a planning session. The federal grant source has let us all know that the grant that they previously administered will be changing significantly. The analogy that is being used is that the ground underneath our feet has just shifted.
Now, I've only had the opportunity to be in a couple earthquakes, where I live in Montana there aren't many big earthquakes. When I did experience an earthquake I remember thinking it was odd and looking for something that was solid and unmoving to orient myself to.
The difference here is that we are all moving through this earthquake together, only able to move forward addressing Montana's homelessness together. Renaming previous committees, involving other groups and organizations, setting new schedules, processes and structure. People are asking, "What are our constants? What is not changing? What will still exist after the dust settles?"
Carmen Gonzalez, Team Lead for Projects for Asssistance in Transition from Homelessness, MHC - Billings, had this to say about this process, "Yesterday and today's meetings reflect the strength, courage, dedication and determination of Montana's efforts to meet, share and brainstorm in order to impact lives. The power that comes with collaboration and carries on the Tradition of Compassion."
Hank Hudson, Economic Security Branch Manager, DPHHS, summarized this process by saying, "Reducing and ending homelessness is a vision that brings Montana communities together. Keeping the best parts of the Continuum of Care for Homelessness process alive and getting positioned for the future brings the best qualities of these dedicated programs to the forefront."
We are remaining focused on what is constant, sticking together and learning about the shifting nature of addressing homelessness. This process reflects Samaritan House's committment to serving the homeless of the Falthead Valley and Montana's committment to homeless Montanans.

Sykes Thanksgiving Day Dinner

2009-11-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Photo by Eric Melzer

Doug and Judy Wise began the Sykes Thanksgiving Day Dinner in 1982 as a way to offer a free Thanksgiving meal for the people of Kalispell. It was always very well attended, estimates are that nearly 1,100 meals were served last year.
Sykes Restaurant and Grocery Store is closed this year so we will be hosting the festivities at the Samaritan House Administrative Building, the former armory on Meridian Rd.

Sykes Thanksgiving Day Dinner
1110 2nd Street West
Kalispell, MT 59901

November 26th, 2009
11 am - 2 pm

For meal delivery call 406-257-4357
To volunteer call Naomi at 406-752-7337

4-H Livestock Auction

2009-10-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

There are some great folks who helped Samaritan House by purchasing an animal through the 4-H Livestock Auction that was held at the Flathead County Fair in August.
They are:
Judy Sommers & Western States Insurance
Jerry & Cynthia Kennedy
Jay & Tina Stetson - Water Well Services
Frank & Peg Gebhardt - Alamon
Holly Walsh & Western States Insurance
Bob White & D.A. Davidson

Phil Olson and Rick Winkowitsch also donated beef directly from their ranch in Cut Bank, Montana.

Annually, the Samaritan House serves nearly 24,000 meals in the shelter kitchen. This will give us a good head start towards being able to do this. Thank you again.

Girl Scout Troop #3381

2009-09-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

Girl Scout Troop #3381 recently put together gift bags for everyone in the shelter. Included in the bags were items like soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo and all kinds of helpful things. Troop #3381 is led by Brenda Miller and co-led by Lori Botkin, it is a Junior Troop from Evergreen. You may know Lori as the Executive Director of the Flathead Food Bank.

This project was part of earning their Bronze Award. In the process they learned how to shop with coupons, how to recruit donations and much perseverance. They called stores, Doctor's and Dentist's offices and little by little had gathered enough items for the shelter.

Lori Botkin said that very little money, around $20, was actually spent in the process, "This was an example of salesmanship as learned by selling girl scout cookies."

Some of the residents in the shelter had this to say:

"Thank you for caring."

"Girls, thanks a bunch. This means a lot."

"Thank you for thinking about us."

"It is with honor and gracious joy that I accept your gift. It is indeed testimony to all things that are beautiful, but, perhaps no where more special than a young girls heart, thank you."

"Thanks a ton, how real nice of you to think of others."

"Girls, thank you so very much for the much needed items. They were all things we needed. As a family staying at the Samaritan House it saves us a lot of money. Thank you so much for thinking of us."

I thought you'd be encouraged to know about this.

Shelter Need Calculator

2009-09-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

This may be sort of boring for some of you but I am interested in this because it shows on paper just how overloaded the shelter is. The Homelessness Research Institiute has developed a series of interactive maps, calculators and charts intended to provide quick access to data on homelessness and improve understanding of important concepts related to ending homelessness. These interactive tools are posted on the website for the National Alliance to End Homelessness website.

Below is the Shelter Need Calculator.

The column titled "Currently Serving" shows the number of people we are currently serving and the current size of the shelter, with the end result of 41 Shelter Beds Needed.

The column titled "Flathead Homeless Shelter Need" compares the size of the homeless population in Flathead County to the number of shelter beds needed to accomodate our homelessness issue. The result here is 225 Total Minimum Shelter Beds Needed.

Keep in mind these numbers only reflect the shelter portion of what the Samaritan House does. We also provide Transitional Housing and Permanent Housing.

To quote the movie Jaws, "I think we're gonna need a bigger boat."

Stay tuned for exciting news about what the Samaritan House is doing to try to address this demand for services...

Open House

2009-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

Samaritan House invites you

to an Open House at our new

administration building at the

former armory on Meridian Rd.

1110 2nd Street West

Kalispell, MT

September 3rd, 2009

4:30 - 6:00 pm

There will be a brief ceremony at 5:00 pm

Live Music & Refreshments

Staff will be available for tours.

For more info call 406-257-5801

New Kitchen Grill Surround

2009-07-14T11:05:00.001-07:00

Mark Woods of Swank Enterprises gave us a tremendously generous and much needed gift of time and materials and put up this beautiful sheet metal behind the stove in the kitchen as well as some waterproof board behind the dishwashing sink and a few other fixes in the kitchen that he just happen to see while he was there. These two projects not only make the kitchen look cleaner but also helps us protect our investment. Samaritan House would like to sincerely thank Mark Woods for helping us out in this incredible way!!!

Casual Fridays at US Bank Are Helping Others

2009-06-26T08:24:00.001-07:00

Samaritan House recently benefited from the casual Friday tradition at US Bank here in Kalispell. Shown here is the staff from US Bank. In order to wear jeans on Friday they make a donation to a charity fund. Through this fund they have been able to support several area nonprofits on a quarterly basis.
Thank you, US Bank, for your support.

2009-06-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

This is the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) School of Biblical Studies staff and students as they volunteer a whole day at the Samaritan House. They painted, cleaned and did some much needed landscaping.

This is Tony Smith and staff of the Kalispell Church of Christ. They are pictured here with the things they had gathered to donate to help the families in the shelter.

All of this work, the volunteering and the donating makes the following picture possible. This is William giving the thumbs up thanking us for his stay at the Samaritan House.

William

Painting a Big Hallway

2009-06-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Recently a group of students from the Calvary of Albuquerque School of Ministry came to paint a couple big hallways for the shelter. It was loads of fun despite how this posed picture may look.
I sure appreciate the countless volunteers that are here keeping the Samaritan House going.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced lately?

2009-05-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

At dinner the other night Samaritan House residents answered the following question, "What is the biggest challenge you've faced lately?"

"Couldn't face anymore abuse and lies and finally chose to get out. He forced me out of the house, I had to leave my two beloved dogs. He has since left them at the pound and harassed me nonstop. I am in the middle of a divorce and I am now homeless and find myself here at the Samaritan House. Thankfully I am working full time. The stress in my life is incredible. Thank God I am sober and on my way back."
"Handling my chronic pain."
"Losing my pastor position and being estranged from my wife. She is now working as a care taker for some elderly people."
"Not drinking beer."
"My health has kept me from being able to work any job for any length of time."
"This winter weather that doesn't seem to go away... that and the housing slow down has left me out of work. It's hard to wake up and see rain and even sometimes snow. I know that this means it will be awhile before the job starts going again."
"My biggest challenge that I have faced lately ultimately is having to seek shelter here. I have never experienced such things. It has been a wake up call on my life. It seems like my problems are minimal compared to some of the people who are here. My boyfriend of almost four years has decided he does not want to reconcile. I love him and it has been difficult, hurtful and sad. It will be hard for me to start over at my age, get a job and rent a place for what I'll be making per hour. My car is not working right and a medication that I need to take won't be here for another two months. I have to figure out how to get that. My boyfriend slept with my best friend and now all my friends are turning out to be his friends, so I guess I didn't really have the friends I thought I had. That makes me sad and hurt. My daughter sent me a letter and reminded me that after the rain there is a rainbow, to keep my hopes up and that she knows great things are coming my way. I hope she is right."

Ethan's Cookies

2009-05-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

I thought you might enjoy seeing how well received Ethan's cookies were.

(See blog article of April 29th.)

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

2009-04-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is Mike Wood, owner of the new Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurant in Kalispell. Mike is shown here donating extra burger buns to the shelter kitchen.
If you haven't been to Five Guys Burgers and Fries yet, you should. They have the most incredible freshness standards I have ever heard of. They don't even have a freezer all meat is served fresh and the fries are made on the spot from fresh potatoes.
Go have a fresh burger and tell Mike and the crew thanks for helping the local homeless.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries can be found at 2415 US 93 North in the Home Depot shopping area.

Cookies are a blessing!

2009-04-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

This is Ethan, he and his mother came to the kitchen today as volunteers to make cookies for the shelter residents. It is such a blessing to have fresh cookies and milk when the residents return to the building today after a long day of job searching. We love to have children come and serve with their parents and learn at a young age how to give to those that don't have.

This is an example of how the Samaritan House is able to make it, by the hard work, caring and generosity of the people in our communities. Samaritan House is supported by 35 local businesses, 19 local churches and 75-100 routine individuals or families. If you are interested in volunteering to make a meal or a snack at the Samaritan House please call Cary Krager at 257-5801.

Homeless Children in America

2009-04-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

The National Center on Family Homelessness has released a report, America's Youngest Outcasts. It is now available online. There is an interactive map that lets you research the specific results for your state. According to the report Montana's Overall Rank regarding child homelessness is 33rd of the 50 states. There is definite room for improvement.

One of the categories reported on is Child Well Being, "A child's well-being depends on more than just having a roof over his head. Children living in families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness suffer from hunger, poor physical and mental health, and missed educational opportunities." Montana ranked 40th in this category.

The report continues to show that children without homes are twice as likely to experience hunger as other children. Two-thirds worry they won't have enough to eat and one-third report being forced to skip meals. Homeless children are more than twice as likely to have health problems, repeat a grade in school, be expelled or suspended, or even drop out of school.

March 28th Cowboy Up for the Samaritan House

2009-03-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

Burgers Served Fresh - Over 100,000 Served

2009-03-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Pictured here is Travis Scott, youth pastor, and the Fresh Life Youth Group as they serve dinner at the Samaritan House Monday, March 23rd.

Samaritan House quietly passed a pretty big milestone last year... 100,000 meals served in the shelter kitchen. This is only possible because of groups like this and the many other volunteers and groups who pull together, volunteer, donate, cook and serve at the shelter.

For many of our residents it is difficult to come to the shelter. Experts say that 100% of the people in the shelter spend 99% of their time thinking about not wanting to be at the shelter, and that this is true no matter where the shelter is.

The simple beauty of a person volunteering to help someone else in their time of need is powerful and it is exactly what helps us serve the way we do.

Many Thanks!

March 28th Rob Quist and Jack Gladstone and the Great Northern Band

2009-03-19T16:22:00.001-07:00

March 28th Rob Quist and Jack Gladstone and the Great Northern Band will play a concert to benefit for the Samaritan House homeless shelter at Gardner's Auction Service. (Hwy 93 S., behind Mergenthaler's, across from Gardner's RV)

Tickets are $35 each and includes concert, pig roast dinner, coffee soft drinks, dessert, live and silent auctions and ticket holder raffle. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Doors open at 5:00 pm.

Dinner is served at 5:30 pm.

Auction begins at 6:30 pm.

Concert begins at 7:30 pm.

The event, sponsored by Glacier Bank and Gardner's Auction Service, promises to be a great time!

Tickets are available at the Samaritan House (124 9th Ave West, Kalispell) and at the door.

Call the Samaritan House if you have any questions 257-5801

Planning Something Big

2009-03-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Just a quick heads up, these people are planning something big for the Samaritan House that my include some fun for you. Save the evening of March 28th. Stand by for details...

Presbyterian Women

2009-03-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today I had the privilege of meeting with the Presbyterian Women of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. This church prepares and serves a meal every Thursday at the Samaritan House shelter.

I was able to share what is happening at the Samaritan House, some of our successes and my research on local cardboard sign holders. (see link)

http://homelessintheflathead.blogspot.com/2008/02/whats-deal-with-cardboard-signholders.html

Afterwards they presented me with toiletry items, clothing and other supplies for the shelter residents. The Samaritan House would like to extend a sincere thank you to the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell for their strong commitment to the Samaritan House and the residents that stay here. You are greatly appreciated!