One of the exciting “side effects” of our new Virtual Lost Voices process is that we can now reach out to youth we’ve never been able to reach before. We’ve always known that kids in decentralized foster and independent living programs can benefit just as much as those living in the larger institutional settings, but since they live in smaller group homes our process has never been suitable for them.
But now it is!
I’ve been aware of an organization called Samaritas for several years, and volunteering to help out with recreational programs for some of the kids in their system. I’m excited to tell you that we are finally planning a Virtual Lost Voices program with them by the end of this year. Here is a little bit of background about this wonderful group.
Samaritas is one of Michigan’s largest faith-based, nonprofit health and human services agencies, serving nearly 14,000 people across the state. For kids, they run family preservation, foster care and adoption programs and services. They also help new Americans access resettlement services and establish new homes. They provide transitional homes for the homeless, women exiting the prison system and victims of human trafficking. They even provide assistance to seniors and people with developmental disabilities who are seeking cost-effective, independent living options with memory care and rehab support.
In 1909 the seed for what would eventually become Samaritas was planted by German and Scandinavian Lutheran immigrants to Detroit. Originally called the “Missionbund” (Mission Federation) they dedicated themselves to charitable social service work. In 1934 they incorporated as The Lutheran Inner Mission League of Greater Detroit, then changed their name to The Lutheran Charities. Over the years they expanded into child welfare programs, a settlement house, and services for seniors. In 1959 they merged with a similar group in Saginaw and changed the name to Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.
In 2016 they decided that in order to better reflect the diversity of their services and supporters, they would rebrand themselves as Samaritas, reflecting on the idea of unconditional service in the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Here is how they summarize themselves on their Website:
Value Proposition
We deliver the home, family and community most connected to the individual relational, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of those we serve, wherever they might fall on the continuum of care.
Through permanence, we deliver a sense of love, belonging, health and well-being that empowers those we serve with a feeling of personal control, confidence and worthiness to live their fullest life. When those we serve reach their full potential they, in turn, promote the dignity of others, creating a ripple effect out into the community that achieves the greatest transformation for all.
Positioning Statement
More than safe harbor in crisis, we come through, when others don’t, with a path home. We connect all people based on their individual circumstances with the families and communities that will empower them to live their fullest life possible.
Potential fulfilled, those we serve then promote the dignity of others, launching into the community an unending ripple effect of transformation.
Lost Voices is proud to be associated with a fine organization like Samaritas, and we can’t wait to start working with their kids!
