HOMELESS MINISTRIES

Homeless Ministries

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Matthew 25:35-36 ESV

The Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH) counted, “…603 homeless men, women, and children in the eight counties of Eastern Tennessee. Of this, 352 were identified as being chronically homeless with 121 chronically homeless persons identified as being unsheltered.” [click here to read the study]

Good Samaritan Ministries is dedicated to serving these individuals in hopes of seeing lives changed. As well as lifting simple burdens from their shoulders we offer pray, case management, and we often see many get off the street and into homes. Listed below are some of the services we offer to the homeless specifically:

  • “Grab Bag” food bag.
  • Hygiene items
  • Gloves, socks, and scarves during winter.

SUPPORT OUR HOMELESS MINISTRIES WITH MUCH NEEDED ITEMS by shopping our Amazon Wish List.

 

Amazon Wish List

Social Work Case Management

The Good Samaritan Ministries social work team offers a wide variety of services to benefit guests at the Good Samaritan. We work with hundreds of neighbors each year on homeless prevention, in several counties in the Upper East Tennessee. The social services department begins with an assessment of individual needs and then the social worker and our neighbor develop a plan together for success.

Our social workers work with local agencies such as:

  • Housing Authority
  • Social Security Administration
  • Food Stamp Program
  • Veterans Affairs
  • DMV
  • Local Churches

The social worker refers neighbors to local agencies for intakes. Sometimes this involves transporting the neighbor to the appointment, following up with a representative from the other agency, and helping the neighbor to navigate through the inevitable paperwork that some entitlement programs require. That quickly starts the plan into motion. Together with other local agencies, we assist neighbors with housing, employment, photo identification, money management, and other needs based on their individual plans. It is our goal to empower, motivate and assist our neighbors in the direction of fulfilling their goals to be self-sufficient.