announcements - Samaritan House

1511 S. Claremont Street
San Mateo, CA 94402
650-341-4081
www.samaritanhouse.com
IN
THIS
THESAMARITAN
SPRING 2008
COVER STORY
1 ONE CALL CHANGED A LIFE
ISSUE
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
San Mateo, CA
Permit No. 164
A new mother of triplets was overwhelmed until she called Samaritan House
and gained a network of helpers.
F E AT U R E S
2 ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY PROGRAM -THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY
Many community, religious, business, and corporate groups and individual
volunteers deserve thanks for spreading holiday cheer.
DIRECTORS
3 PROJECT WEE CARE — 21 YEARS OF LEARNING TO GIVE
OF
Julia Mee
Joseph D. Miller
Josetta K. Owen
Marc E. Owen
Matthew Quilter
Norm Rosenstock
Sheila Wolfson
Elementary school children are enthusiastic about collecting items for the
less fortunate in the community.
BOARD
Lisa Hendrickson, President
Jody Buckley, Vice President
Robert Grassilli, Treasurer
Renee Berenson, Secretary
Brad Shong, Past President
John C. Boyle
Tish Busselle
Karifa Diawara
María Fernández
Robert Fitzgerald
Sharon Hofstedt
Fred Kurland
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Venue for Samaritan House
Volunteer Recognition Event
Samaritan House depends on the dedication of our volunteers, and we appreciate
them every day. But once a year we
throw a party in their honor! This year’s
Volunteer Recognition Event will be May
15th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the San
Mateo County Event Center. For more
information, contact Volunteer Director
Michele Canning at 650-341-4081, ext
33, or [email protected].
Executive Director Kitty Lopez
Honored for Outstanding
Community Service
The San Mateo Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce recognized Samaritan House
Executive Director Kitty Lopez for
“Outstanding Community Service” at its
annual “Noche de Gala” event December
7, 2007.
At the Samaritan House Free Medical Clinic of San
Mateo, volunteer Ronit Melamud (left) and Administrative
Assistant Silvia Pratt (center) will be able to efficiently
schedule patient appointments with the new PrimeSuite
Medical Practice Management software.
New Medical Clinic Software
Increases Efficiency
Thanks to a grant from the California
Health Facilities Financing Authority,
PrimeSuite Medical Practice Management
Software has been installed at the
Samaritan House Free Medical Clinics in
San Mateo and Redwood City. The new
software replaces the former hand-written
appointment scheduling books and makes
it possible for both clinics to manage
patients simultaneously using standardized
schedules, nomenclature, and codes. In
addition to making the scheduling process
easier, it will allow Samaritan House to
accurately collect statistics on the free
medical services provided.
On February 8, Carlmont
High School Senior Sam
Morgan donated 13 used
bicycles he refurbished as a
project for his Eagle Scout
badge. Some of the bicycles
were provided by fellow
students. Sam (left) is shown
delivering the bicycles to
Samaritan House with the
help of his friend Theo
Varelas.
Save the Date for the 2008 Main Event Fundraiser – September 13, 2008
The 17th annual Main Event fundraiser will be Saturday, September 13, at the Hotel
Sofitel in Redwood City. For more information, or if you’d like to volunteer with the
planning of this year’s event, contact Maureen Kilkeary at (650) 341-4081, ext. 23,
or [email protected].
Samaritan House appreciates car donations. In addition to car donations, Samaritan House can benefit from
items sold on E-Bay. Sellers can sign up with E-Bay’s Mission Fish program to donate a portion of the proceeds
to Samaritan House. To find out how to do that, go online at http://www.missionfish.org and type “Samaritan
House” in the search line.
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N E I G H B O R
H E L P I N G
N E I G H B O R
THESAMARITAN
SPRING 2008
A Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R F R O M Y O U R F R I E N D S AT S A M A R I TA N H O U S E
One Call Changed a Life
Once overwhelmed with postpartum depression, new mother Celine* now
says: “My girls are a miracle. My life is just so happy now!”
It was a phone call to Samaritan House that turned Celine’s desperation into
hope and helped her cope with caring for three tiny premature babies.
Celine says, “Two weeks after my girls were born, I was alone with them and
I couldn’t stop my tears. My husband had to work, so I had no one to help
me. I was so scared! My largest baby was only three pounds and she could fit
in one hand. All three were crying for food and I had no formula. I was so
weak from the caesarian, and I was trying to breastfeed.”
It was all “too much,” she exclaims. “I was in crisis!”
First Celine contacted her healthcare provider for help, but “nobody would
come.” Then she thought of 911, but was afraid of what would happen if she
called as an emergency. Finally, she remembered a list of agency phone numbers
the hospital had given her. Celine chose Samaritan House. She says, “The
name touched me. I thought, maybe someone there will help me.”
“The nurses came once a week and helped me with the girls. They also checked
their health and made sure I was eating and taking care of myself. They taught
me what to do.” (Celine is referring to Nurse Mary Beth Viray and Community
Worker Barbara Aguilar from Field Nursing at the Health Department.)
“Julio called every day to see how I was doing, and Samaritan House provided
diapers and milk. Julio also connected me with WIC.” (Women, Infants and
Children [WIC] is a federal program that provides nutritious foods to low
income women and their children.)
Other connections from Samaritan House included a middle school sewing
class that contributed a handmade quilt for the girls, and a family that
provided Christmas gifts and clothes for the girls through the Samaritan
House “Adopt-A-Family” Holiday Program.
Today, Celine beams when she talks about “my girls,” who are “strong and
healthy” and weigh about 24 pounds each. She says, “My life changed from
only one call. I treasure that Samaritan House was there for me in that
moment.”
Case Manager Julio Campos picked up the phone. Celine
remembers, “I cried and cried and told my story. I said I
hadn’t been able to change my clothes for four days. Julio
said, ‘You need to stay calm. You need support for your
girls, so I will call somebody to help you.’
“He called the nurses at the Health Department,
and they said they would come to my home the
next day. As soon as I knew the nurses were
coming, I felt better. I could say that I was
important to someone.
“I treasure that Samaritan House was there
for me,” says Celine,* shown here with her
six-month-old daughters and Case
Manager Julio Campos.
*Name changed to protect privacy
1
AND THE
DIRECTOR SAYS...
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY PROGRAM —
THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY!
T
he 2007 Samaritan House Holiday Program helped approximately 5,000 people enjoy the season
with the help of food, gifts, and holiday cheer. Not only did generous donors help us avoid a
possible 40 percent toy shortage, but more than one thousand volunteers helped us sort, bag,
and distribute items. We thank all who gave us their time and generosity! Finally, we extend
our appreciation to the following groups who did so much: (The Holiday Program’s success is a
reflection of the efforts of many. We apologize if we have inadvertently failed to list a group.)
RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE GROUPS
Dear Friends,
As I write these words, the news about our
economy continues to indicate we are living
in challenging times; we can only hope recovery will happen sooner rather than later. For
you and for me, the current downturn may
mean having to give up some of life's little
luxuries as more of our discretionary income
gets absorbed at the gas pump and the grocery store. But for Samaritan House client
families, who find it difficult to provide for
food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare even
when the economy is in the best of health,
a downturn can mean having to choose
between a child's immunization shot and
putting dinner on the table.
For more than three decades, Samaritan
House has been a strong presence in our
community throughout all of the inevitable
ups and downs of the economy, providing a
safety net for our low-income neighbors so
they are not forced to make poor decisions
that will have both short- and long-term
consequences for their health and happiness.
Our agency is here to make sure the hungry
will be fed, the homeless can find shelter, the
sick will see a doctor, the cold are able to
warm their homes, the working family will
avoid eviction. In addition to meeting today's
most urgent needs, Samaritan House is also
here to help clients plan for tomorrow – to
learn basic budgeting that will enable them
to stretch the dollars they earn, and parenting
skills that will help them build a better
future for their children.
Because you are already a Samaritan House
supporter, I know you recognize that
improving the lives of the most disenfranchised among us helps create a better
environment for the communities we share.
As we all tighten our belts and revise our
budgets to ride out the economic storm, I
hope you'll remember that right now – more
than ever – our clients need Samaritan House.
And I hope you'll continue to make room in
your budget for the generosity you have
always demonstrated toward our agency,
because right now – more than ever – that
generosity means so very much to our
neighbors-in-need.
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4-H Clubs of San Mateo County
American Legion Auxiliary #82
Arundel 2nd Grade Brownies
Bay Area Christian Church
Belmont Congregational Church
Borel School – TEAM Program
Burlingame Rotary Club
California Kids
Central Peninsula Church Youth Group
Clifford Girl Scouts
Community United Church of Christ
Congregational Church of San Mateo
Crystal Springs Upland School
Delta Omicron Chi Society
Daniel Keller’s English Class at the College
of San Mateo
Doers and Goers Club
Foster City Lions Club
Foster City Rotary Club
Foster City Youth Advisory Committee
Girl Scout Troop 1485
Girl Scout Troop 3043
Hillsdale High School Latinos Unidos Club
Hillsdale High School Leo Club
Holy Cross Greek Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Immaculate Heart of Mary School
Junior Girl Scout Troop #2369
Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian
Student Movement
Mid-Peninsula Vineyard Church
Millbrae Bible Church
Millbrae Bible Church Youth
Monday Night Seekers
Notre Dame Elementary School
Parents Without Partners
Peninsula Temple Shalom
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church
St. Bart’s Women’s Club
St. Margaret’s Guild/Transfiguration Church
St. Paul Episcopal Church
San Mateo County Office of Education
San Mateo – Foster City School District
San Mateo Lions Club
Vineyard Christian Church Group
Worente Delta Gamma
BUSINESS/CORPORATE GROUPS
AAA Redwood City
Citibank
Cell Genesys
Corey, Luzaich, Pliska et al
Diadexus Inc.
Franklin Templeton Investments/Municipal
Bond Dept.
Freedom Financial
Genentech
GFTC-Peninsula Gymnastics
Hyatt Regency SF Airport
Intuit
Lightspeed Venture Partners
LISI/CoPower
Mills Health Center Surgery Dept.
Mills Peninsula Medical Group Clinic
Prudential California Realty
ReMax Today
Salesforce
Smith Barney
Sofitel Hotel San Francisco
Vector Labs
Fred Menzel (right) and his son Freddie delivered toys and new
bicycles collected by the Brisbane Fire Department. (Dolby
Laboratories donated the bicycles to the fire fighters’ drive.)
On Family Day at the Holiday Toy Shoppe, Lisa Kelaita and her son Cameron sorted toys.
Bessie Love (left) and her daughter Kathy
donated gifts and toys for every attendee at
our Thanksgiving dinner at the Martin Luther
King, Jr., Community Center.
In grateful appreciation,
FOOD AND TOY DRIVES
Kitty Lopez, Executive Director
Samaritan House
More than 50 additional community groups and schools conducted food and toy drives. The largest
was San Mateo High School, which collected almost 300,000 pounds of food for Second Harvest
Food Bank and more than $50,000 in donations for Samaritan House.
PROJECT WEE CARE — 21 YEARS OF LEARNING TO GIVE
GROUPS AND
CORPORATIONS
GENEROUSLY
CONTRIBUTE
T
hese are a few of the many
different groups who help
Samaritan House’s programs.
While we wish we could publicly
note each of our generous supporters,
our space constraints limit including
all our wonderful donors.
“W
hat should we draw for work
clothes?” asks fifth grader Lillian
Blakely. Lillian is sitting on the
floor of the West Hillsborough
Elementary School library leaning over a brightly
colored sheet of poster paper. Marcelle Costello, the
school’s Wee Care Coordinator, answers, “Things
you can work outside in – things like jeans and
work hats and work gloves.” Lillian and her friend
Nicolette Chan are working on the floor because so
many 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have volunteered
for poster making that the tables are full.
The children will put the posters throughout the
school, encouraging students to donate clothing as
part of February’s Wee Care theme of men’s work
clothes. In March, the theme will be toiletries, and
everyone will be encouraged to bring in items such
as soap and toothbrushes. All donations will be
placed in Wee Care barrels and then collected by
Samaritan House, which will distribute the items
to our clients.
Nicolette Chan (left) and Lillian Blakely display posters they made for Wee
Care. The themes for collection change monthly from October through May.
Twenty-one years ago, the first Project Wee Care
collection occurred at Bayside Elementary School
in San Mateo, where Samaritan House and teachers
tried to help children learn about giving. Wee Care
was such a success that within a year the program
grew to the entire San Mateo-Foster City School
District and beyond. Recently, Michele Canning,
Samaritan House Director of Volunteers, has been
working with volunteer Carol Terwilliger to
streamline processes and increase participation.
(Carol was a Wee Care coordinator when her
children were at West Hillsborough Elementary.)
Today, Project Wee Care includes 43 schools in
eight Peninsula cities. Donations grow annually
and contribute more than ever to Samaritan House
programs. One shining example continues to be
West Hillsborough, where this past November,
Lillian, Nicolette, and their fellow Wee Care
participants collected more than 1,000 food items
for the Samaritan House Holiday Program.
FINANCIAL COUNSELING MAKES THE FUTURE BRIGHTER
W
hen Serena’s* husband died last year,
she had no idea the financial devastation
she would soon face. The first blow came
when she was traveling to her husband’s
funeral. While she was out of town, a brother-inlaw crashed her car, and the insurance company
informed her she was liable for $7,000 in damages.
Then calls came from collection agencies. While
sick, her late husband had been forced to charge
on several credit cards. On top of this, Serena now
faced her husband’s extensive medical bills.
Serena* prepares to put final credit card payments in the mail. She
was able to reach this milestone because of financial guidance from
Samaritan House.
Although Serena had been gainfully employed for
18 years, she had a mountain of debt. She says,
“I sat alone in my living room, crying. I thought
of taking my life. Then I remembered Samaritan
House. A few years ago, when my husband had
surgery and we couldn’t pay rent, Samaritan House
helped with the rent and some food. I decided to
call Samaritan House.”
bills could be retroactively covered by Medi-Cal.
When the case manager called the car insurance
company, Serena no longer owed the accident
damages. By the third visit, Serena says, “I was
feeling better. My case manager showed me how to
consolidate the remaining credit cards and use some
of my 401k funds to help pay my debts.”
In just three visits to Samaritan House, Serena had
her finances straightened out. A case manager discovered that some of the credit cards were covered
by death insurance. Much of her husband’s medical
Now Serena vows, “I will never again use credit
cards.” She adds, “I’m very thankful to Samaritan
House. If they hadn’t helped me, I don’t know
where I’d be now. My story has a happy ending.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
• Genentech Foundation awarded
a $75,000 grant to support the
Samaritan House Free Clinic of San
Mateo. • Silicon Valley Community
Foundation gave a $25,000 grant,
which enabled us to bring food and
holiday cheer to many low-income
individuals, including those who are
homebound. • San Mateo County
Realtors Foundation hosted a fall
spaghetti feed and donated proceeds
of $10,000. • Wachovia Foundation
granted $8,000 to our Safe Harbor
Shelter. Wachovia purchased World
Savings in 2007, and graciously
continued the funding started by World
Savings. • Wells Fargo Foundation made
a $5,000 gift to support our case
management program. Case managers
are the heart of Samaritan House. They
are specially trained people who meet
with our clients when they first arrive,
evaluate their situations, and help them
design individualized plans that will
meet their immediate needs and
support their return to self-sufficiency.
As we go to print, we look forward to
these upcoming community events:
• Anthropologie’s Burlingame store
will host their Anniversary Event on
April 4th and donate a portion of the
day’s sales. • Aragon High School
hopes to raise $2,000 for Samaritan
House on Saturday, April 5th. This
student-led event will involve a silent
auction, a faculty versus student
dodge ball game, and other fun events.
• NAIFA (National Association of
Insurance & Financial Advisors) of the
Peninsula will host their Charity Golf
Tournament on April 7th at the
Peninsula Golf and Country Club.
Proceeds will benefit Samaritan House.
We greatly appreciate our community
friends who generously give their time
and money. If you or your organization
would like to host an event, please contact Maureen Kilkeary at 650-341-4081,
ext. 23, to discuss your ideas.
Patients in the waiting room at the Samaritan House Free
Medical Clinic of San Mateo.
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