Meet Kathy! Kathy is November's Monthly Client Feature at the Samaritan Center! This month's feature also includes a heartfelt message from a community member who recently encountered Kathy.
Kathy has known of the Samaritan Center for many years and she mentioned that she first heard about the Center when attending Ventura County meetings. After the passing of her husband, Kathy had her first encounter of homelessness in 2009, but was able to find housing soon after. However, in 2016 Kathy was evicted without notice and began living out of her vehicle. This year she lost her vehicle and began sleeping on the streets. Kathy's health began to deteriorate rapidly.
One afternoon Kathy accidentally fell into a busy street after a tire from her walker was caught on a stretch of pavement. A passerby named Michael witnessed Kathy's fall and immediately stopped to assist her. After assessing that Kathy was homeless and in need, Michael made many phone calls to find resources and brought her to the Samaritan Center.
Robin, a caseworker at the Center, immediately completed an emergency intake with Kathy for her to become a client. With becoming a client, Kathy was able to access the PADS program (public action to deliver shelter) and stay in a warm shelter for the evening. Due to the injuries Kathy sustained from her fall, Robin and the staff at the Samaritan Center worked urgently and efficiently to connect her with housing resources to get her off the streets as soon as possible.
Robin was able to connect Kathy with an outside agency for permanent supportive housing and find her a room for rent. Kathy has now been housed for over three weeks!
When asked, "Would you recommend the Samaritan Center to other people in need?" Kathy replied that she would recommend the Samaritan Center to anyone in need living on the streets or in their vehicle. She noted, "the Samaritan Center was here during a time of great need because I was badly hurt and could not make my way anywhere." She also went on to mention, "I am truly grateful for Robin. Our time working together has been wonderful and I am very thankful for her assistance. I could not have been housed without her willingness and Michael, a stranger, who showed me compassion, stopped to help me.
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your story with us! We also want to recognize Michael, for immediately stopping to help someone in need. We believe with the kindness and compassion that Michael showed, he truly embodies what it means to be a "Good Samaritan."
View a message from Michael speaking about the Samaritan Center!