November, 2007
Phoenixville, PA
Executive Director Steps Down
After careful consideration, the Reverend William Washington has decided to relinquish his position as Executive Director of Good Samaritan Shelter.
As the Shelter's founder, Reverend Washington has been an integral and dynamic participant in fulfilling the shelter’s mission. His vision, faith and dedication to men in need has been an inspiration not only to the men he has served and their families, but to the Good Samaritan board members and staff, who have found in him a living example of God’s intentions for us as humans. Reverend Washington will play a part in the ongoing activities of the shelter as a member of the Board of Directors.
As a result of this decision, we will soon begin the process of finding a new Executive Director for the shelter. An interim Executive Director is being sought.
Friends of the shelter, who would like to suggest a candidate for either interim or permanent Executive Director position, please fax your resume to
After careful consideration, the Reverend William Washington has decided to relinquish his position as Executive Director of Good Samaritan Shelter.
Code Blue Program and The Main Stay Inn
Last winter, when the temperature dropped below freezing, the streets of Phoenixville were a treacherous place for those unfortunate enough to call them home.
Alarmed by the potential for loss of human life in the borough, The Good Samaritan Shelter and the Phoenixville Area Clergy Association approached Betsy DeMutis, owner of the Main Stay Inn in Phoenixville. They asked, “Would the Main Stay Inn provide temporary shelter for homeless men seeking shelter during Code Blue emergencies?”
Mrs. DeMutis immediately agreed to provide rooms for the men at a reduced rate. The Phoenixville Area Clergy Association will provide the funds for this emergency effort.
Taste of Phoenixville
Back by popular demand on January 17 will be the “Taste of Phoenixville”.
Our biggest fund-raising event of the year promises to be even more festive and well attended this year, with culinary newcomers to Phoenixville joining the impressive roster of restaurants from previous years.
Your $75.00 ticket allows you to sample specialties from restaurants and eateries from Phoenixville and the surrounding area. Your favorite and soon-to-be favorite restaurants will be cooking for a crowd throughout the evening at Robert Ryan’s Catering on Bridge Street, in the heart of Phoenixville.
Auction items include a one week vacation at a home on the beach in Kitty Hawk, NC and a tour of the Chester County countryside in a 1913 Buick touring car followed by brunch at the Kimberton Inn.
Get a taste of what Phoenixville’s renaissance is all about at the Taste of Phoenixville. For ticket information, call (610) 933-9305.
Shelter Residents Complete
ComputerTraining
Residents from the Good Samaritan Shelter in Phoenixville recently completed a seven-week computer training course. During the course, a collaborative between the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) and The Good Samaritan Shelter, each resident created a resume and learned how to search for jobs using the internet. At the end of the course, the residents had learned the basics in hardware and software and each received a certificate of completion.
This class and others like it are part of Good Samaritan Shelter’s ongoing efforts to provide job training and life skills to men in need, in addition to emergency and transitional housing. Pictured here are the trainees with Reverend Darlene Barr, technology instructor, Nakia Mack, OIC Phoenixville site director and Tim Barr, Good Samaritan Shelter case manager.
Emergency Shelter Gets Makeover
On the morning of November 11, the marketing department from Prudential, Fox and Roach, REALTORS arrived at the emergency shelter with brushes, mops, buckets and garden tools.
The 15 staff members got busy, and when they were finished, the shelter had a spotless kitchen, two repainted living rooms, and a new garden surrounding the backyard deck. Sherwin Williams supplied the paint; Colonial Gardens donated perennials; and Yaeger’s supplied four bags of mulch for the garden.
The activities were part of the company’s annual Community Service Day.
Each fall, Prudential closes its doors for the company-wide event that allows sales associates and employees to help the less fortunate in their communities. Volunteers from all of the company’s 64 offices lent a helping hand in more than 100 communities. Pictured here is Dodie Preston, creative director from Prudential Fox and Roach, Realtors, planting the new garden.
Donated items are always needed and much appreciated. Call the shelter at (610) 933-9305 to arrange a pick up.
Resident Needs:
· Twin Bed Sheets
· Towels
· Twin Size Blankets · Personal Hygiene Products · New Underwear · New Socks · Winter Jackets, Coats · Radio Alarm Clocks · Supermarket Gift Cards
Testimonial...
“ The transitional house has been a very helpful place for me because I need to be self-reliant, clean and sober. It helps to have a religious background; it’s nice to be around people with the same beliefs. Bishop Washington has been a tremendous influence and spiritual guide during these trying times. Previously, I had lost faith in myself and started to lose my faith in God. Alcohol was ruling my life but thanks to the Good Samaritan and everyone involved, I am grateful to start each new day. Thank God, thank you.”
The copy of the 2006 - 2007 annual report is now available online. Click here to download a copy. A hard copy of the annual report is available by request.
