Simi Valley Samaritan Center

Please see our updated donations flyer! 😁 To view the Samaritan Center's online wish list visit the link below.

DreamList.com/for/samcenter

Save the date for our fundraiser at El Capitan one week from today! 20% of your purchase supports the Samaritan Center directly when you present this flyer! 💙😁

The Samaritan Center is in need of canned food and non-perishable items! If you or someone you know would like to help, please feel free to give us a call today at (805) 579-9166! 😁

We are so thankful for all of the hard-working volunteers at the Samaritan Center! Our volunteers work tirelessly in the heat and their hard work will not go unnoticed! We appreciate each and every one of you! 💙

Huge thank you to Reverend Stephen Rambo and Center for Spiritual Living Simi Valley for hosting a canned food drive and donating to the Samaritan Center! We are so grateful for your support!

Tomorrow is the last day to vote the Samaritan Center as the Best Nonprofit Organization in Simi Valley / Moorpark!

How to Vote:
Visit www.simivalleyacorn.com
Click on "VOTE NOW!"
Scroll down and hit "Next"
Enter your Email Address
and Begin Voting!

Please visit #62 Nonprofit Organization and select the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley!

Please note: You do not need to vote for every single category.

We are thrilled to announce that the Samaritan Center has been nominated by the Simi Valley - Moorpark Acorn for a "Best of Simi Valley - Moorpark" Nonprofit Organization Award! This nomination is a reflection of the importance the Samaritan Center's supportive services offers to the local community.

We kindly ask for your support by casting your vote for the Samaritan Center. It only takes a few moments, and your vote can make a huge difference. Voting ends August 14th!

How to Vote:
Visit www.simivalleyacorn.com
Click on "VOTE NOW!"
Scroll down and hit "Next"
Enter your Email Address
and Begin Voting!
Please visit #62 Nonprofit Organization and select the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley!
Please note: You do not need to vote for every single category. You may vote once a day per device.

Click on the link to view our July Newsletter and read up on the latest happenings at the Samaritan Center! 😁

July Newsletter Our July Newsletter is now posted; you may access it here. On that page you'll be able to signup to receive the newsletter via email.

Get ready for a Bingo Marathon coming up in September! 🤩 Registration is now open! Click on the link below for more details and to sign up!

https://kc5803.org/marathon

Meet Steve! Steve is July's Monthly Client Feature at the Samaritan Center!

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Steve was laid off from his company after working there for over 27 years. Unfortunately, not long after his loss of employment, Steve's wife had passed away which then led to his struggle with sobriety and homelessness and he began living out of his vehicle.

While temporarily living at a sober house, he heard about the Samaritan Center when other house members came to speak about resources offered in the community. Steve mentioned while living at a sober house, a Key Counselor, who he looked up to, passed away from a drug overdose. This added loss deeply affected Steve. He then decided that he wanted to direct his career in helping others and becoming a Sober Coach.

After leaving the sober living house and achieving sobriety, Steve began living out of his vehicle once again. He connected with the Samaritan Center where he was able to shower, receive hot meals, visit the Food Pantry, and meet with a caseworker. Steve noted that his caseworker, Miguel, was able to assist in medical resources and refill his necessary prescriptions vital to his health. Steve stated that he feels all the staff members at the Center validate the feelings and struggles one may encounter and truly listens to one's needs.

Steve mentioned that the resources offered at the Samaritan Center are necessary to survival while experiencing homelessness. He expressed the importance of having a platform to offer tools to those in need. Steve hopes to advocate for those struggling and he believes everyone has the ability to change for the better.

Recently, Steve accepted a position as a Sober Coach at a local organization and he got his CPR Certification. He is now working towards a RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) Certification. Most notably, soon after accepting his position he was able to find housing! We are so excited for this new chapter in Steve's journey. Thank you for sharing your story, Steve!

Meet Walter! Walter is the July's Volunteer of the Month at the Samaritan Center!

Walter began volunteering at the Samaritan Center in March of 2024 and quickly made a positive impact on the staff.

Walter first got involved at the Samaritan Center when he decided to make use of his free time during his school break. Although Walter is local to Simi Valley he wasn't aware of the Samaritan Center or the resources the Center provides. When asked what his first impression was of the Samaritan Center, Walter stated that he was surprised on how many people are in need, yet he is glad to be able to help give back to his immediate community. He also mentioned that upon inquiring at the Center to volunteer he was greeted with nothing but friendliness.

Some of the everyday tasks that Walter does as a volunteer is setting up and passing out dinners and sometimes organizing the kitchen. Walter's favorite task is signing in clients when one arrives for the dinner service. Walter mentioned that it is his pride and joy to speak to clients when they arrive whether it's a simple greeting or asking about their day. In addition to his many tasks, Walter is always eager to lend an extra hand wherever else is needed at the Samaritan Center.

Walter is currently studying to become a doctor that specializes in Cardiology. Walter recently completed his Associates Degree at Moorpark college and will be heading to UC Irvine in the fall! In his free time Walter enjoys talking with others, playing video games, and hanging out with his Havanese puppy dogs called Bubbles and Sunny. Walter mentioned he will be genuinely saddened to be taking sometime away from volunteering at the Samaritan Center when attending UCI, but he is looking forward to popping in to say hello and to lend a helping hand during the school breaks.

We are so thankful for all of Walter's hard work and we are wishing him good luck on his continuation in his college journey! Walter and his wonderful positivity will be greatly missed at the Samaritan Center!

Just a reminder that the fundraiser at Kalaveras Mexican Restaurant is this Wednesday, July 24th! Present this flyer in order for 20% of your purchase to be donated to the Samaritan Center! 😁💙

Today and tomorrow is Amazon Prime Day! There are many deals available on our online wish list items! If you would like to support the Samaritan Center and those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Simi Valley, please visit the link below!
😁💙
DreamList.com/for/samcenter

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the Samaritan Center! 😄

It’s that time of the year again. 6/26 - 7/31 Our Annual Independence from Hunger campaign runs in store. This year we have partnered with the we have pre bagged non perishable food available for donation at our registers! We have $5 and $10 options! Help us reach our $5,000 goal to help feed those in need! If you donate $5 at the register you will receive a $5 coupon towards a future purchase on your receipt and a raffle ticket towards a drawing of various prizes at the end of the campaign.

Amazon Prime Day is coming up! To support the Samaritan Center you can visit our online wish list DreamList.com/for/samcenter 😃💙

Save the date to support the Samaritan Center at Kalaveras on July 24th in Simi Valley! We are so excited! 😍💙

Our July Dinner Site Schedule is now posted! 😁

Paula and Jerry are the Volunteers of the Month at the Samaritan Center! 💙😁

Paula and Jerry have been volunteering at the Samaritan Center since August of 2023. They moved back to Simi Valley in 2017 after retiring. They lived in England for work on what they thought would be a 2-year adventure turned into 8 fun years of working, traveling, and living in Europe. Paula mentioned after working with a child in foster care as a court appointed special advocate, she became more aware of the struggles of homelessness. Part of their return to Simi and their retirement was that they wanted to dedicate their time volunteering locally to an organization that supports the community.
Paula first came to the Samaritan Center to donate clothing and ask about the services the Samaritan Center provide. She stated that she was greeted by Diane, the Volunteer Coordinator, with such warmth and enthusiasm and was also given a tour of the Center. After meeting other volunteers and staff, Paula describes feeling very excited to begin volunteering herself.
Some of Jerry's volunteer tasks include prepping pantry boxes and assisting in the distribution during pantry hours. He also will occasionally assist in sorting and organizing incoming food donations while ensuring every item is well packaged and within the expiration date. Paula's volunteering consists of signing in clients during the breakfast distribution hour. She is the first friendly face many people see upon being greeted at the Samaritan Center.
We asked Paula and Jerry what they enjoy most about volunteering and they said the relationships that they have formed while working. They also mentioned that although busy times at the Center can be chaotic, everyone is so supportive of each other. Since volunteering at the Samaritan Center, Paula and Jerry said that they have learned so much about the dignity and struggle of those experiencing homelessness and that everyone's story is different.
We are so thankful for Paula and Jerry and all of their dedicated hard work. We are in awe for how they uphold every client and other volunteers with the utmost kindness and respect. Paula and Jerry have made a lasting impression to all those they have encountered at the Samaritan Center!

Check out our monthly newsletter for June! 😁💙

Newsletter | Samaritan Center

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We still have a few spots left for our Planned Giving Seminar this Thursday, June 27th! To RSVP please email [email protected] or call us at (805) 579-9166 😁

We are very excited to announce that we have converted our drive-thru food pantry into a walk-up food pantry! We have created a shopping experience so those experiencing food insecurity may visit our pantry and pick out the items they would prefer. We also want to thank all the volunteers for their tireless efforts in making the change possible! 💙

Our adjusted pantry hours are 11am-12pm (Tuesday & Thursday) still located at 280 Royal Avenue. 😁

We are in immediate need for a grocery pick-up driver for Wednesdays! If you're interested please email [email protected]

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If you missed our last Planned Giving Seminar in April, we have an upcoming seminar June 27th! Please email [email protected] or call (805) 579-9166 to RSVP by Monday, June 24th to attend! 😄

Fundraiser today Fun Burger in Simi Valley! Dine in or take out and don't forget to mention the Samaritan Center for 20% of your purchase to be donated to the mission of helping those in need! Call (805) 864-9030 to place an order over the phone! 😁🍔🍟

Where are you? Everybody else is here! Come on down to the Samaritan Center (Patio of St Francis). The Y’s men are ready to serve a delicious pancake breakfast from 8-10:30am. We have Mimosas!

2 days left until the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser! We are so excited to feature a mimosa bar and silent auction! 🥞🥂

Purchase tickets today!

https://samaritancentersimivalley-bloom.kindful.com/e/pancake-breakfast-

Meet the Samaritan Center's newest caseworker, Miguel! 😁

Miguel is the third and newest caseworker at the Samaritan Center. Miguel previously interned at WOSMOH (Women of Substance Men of Honor) where he assisted foster kids and attended group home meetings. Miguel also previously worked at Star of CA as a Behavioral Technician. Miguel specifically worked with children that required special assistance.

Miguel is a huge advocate for children and youth in the foster system. His passion radiates from his own experience when he spent over 21 years in the foster system himself. He was placed in foster care at only 6 months old and is the eldest of 16 siblings, all of which were also in the foster system. Miguel had a tough upbringing with not only being in the system, but also having both of his parents being heavy drug users. He is the first person in his family to have graduated high school! Miguel also experienced homelessness at age 19 and lived out of his vehicle for 2 months.

Miguel applies the utmost care and respect to every client he meets. Miguel believes that experiencing homelessness may make one feel invisible to the community and he takes pride in helping those realize their worth and that the situation and hardships, one may encounter, matters. He enjoys lending an ear to every client to better assist their specific needs. Miguel stated that more than 80% of foster youth end up experiencing homelessness at one point in their lifetime and many don't know where to begin to ask for assistance. Miguel recently spoke and shared his own inspiring story at James Storehouse Fundraiser Event. Miguel believes in the importance of raising awareness for struggling foster youth and to those experiencing homelessness.

Miguel is recently engaged to his fiancé, Alice! Together they have a German Shepherd named Jax and a chameleon named Pascal. The Samaritan Center welcomes Miguel to the team and thanks him for all his efforts, caring attributes, and hard work!

One week from today Fun Burger will be hosting a Fundraiser to support the Samaritan Center! 20% of your purchase will go towards helping those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Simi Valley. This fundraiser also applies to orders placed over the phone! Just be sure to mention the Samaritan Center before ordering 😊🍔

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