Good Samaritan Community Services
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The mission of Good Samaritan Community Services is to serve as a catalyst for change, supporting individuals and families by providing excellent community services to overcome the impact of poverty. The Good Samaritan Center was established in 1951 by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, under the leadership of Bishop Everett Jones. It began as a downtown mission of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Since then, GSCS has grown to become a private, nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization and United Way agency that provides comprehensive services to more than 4,000 individuals and 1,800 families in seven (7) locations around South Texas. GSCS actively serves as a place of change, reaching out to support thousands of people working to improve their lives and to overcome the challenges of poverty.
Volunteer opportunities
GSCS has many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Individuals as well as groups are welcome! Ongoing opportunities include reading to and mentoring youth, assisting in the Food Pantry, and leading activities for Seniors. Larger groups are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and given larger projects, such as painting our buildings and helping to landscape our grounds. We love our volunteers and appreciate the hard work they do for our community!
Volunteer opportunities are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturdays available upon request for groups. If you are interested in volunteering at GSCS, please navigate to our website and sign up at the link posted below. The Volunteer Coordinator will review your information, and will get back to you within two business days. Learn more at: www.goodsamtx.org/get-involved/volunteer.
For more information call Lukas Sehlke at 210- 434-5531 ext. 2019, or send an email to volunteer.coordinator@goodsamtx.org.
Ministries
CHILD CARE
Good Samaritan Community Services (GSCS) has offered high quality child care since 1985. Our program offers children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old a nurturing and safe place to learn, grow.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The goal of GSCS’ Youth Development Services (YDS) is to help young people ages 5-18 acquire the life and academic skills necessary for personal success.
All youth programs are designed around four (4) pillars:
Strengthening Educational Achievement
Reduction of Risk
College and Career Readiness
Civic Engagement/Leadership Development
YDS offers 13 programs across six (6) cities in South Texas; these programs are offered in-school and/or during out-of-school time (after school and summer). A wide variety of activities and services are offered including academic tutoring and enrichment sessions, career exploration field trips, sports and recreational activities, team-building exercises, volunteer and community service opportunities, and tours to college campuses.
After-School
1. Pharr
2. San Antonio (Main Campus)
Camp Good Sam (Summer)
3. Alice
4. Corpus Christi
5. Pharr
6. San Antonio (Main Campus)
7. San Antonio (NEISD)
8. Sonora
9. Wimberley
Counseling and Case Management
10. San Antonio (Main Campus) and Pharr
Asset Building for Clients
11. San Antonio (Main Campus)
College and Career Readiness
12. San Antonio (Main Campus)
Texas Hill Country Camps
13. All Sites
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
Family Development Services offers programs aimed at strengthening families and promoting healthy lifestyles. Over 800 families a year receive services such as case management, counseling, and crisis intervention, including emergency assistance in the form of food and clothing. GSCS also provides parenting classes as well as health and wellness workshops, helping participants develop strong, effective life skills which foster self-sufficiency.
SENIOR SERVICES
Senior Services’ activities are designed to promote a holistic approach to healthy living while aging. Through participation in these activities, senior citizens are actively involved in the wellness process, becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.
In the 2013-14 Program Year, GSCS served more than 230 senior citizens and received re-accreditation by the National Council on Aging's National Institute of Senior Centers, making it the only accredited Senior Center in South Texas.
This accreditation recognizes that GSCS provides activities that foster personal growth across six dimensions of wellness including:
1. Occupational Wellness: ESL Classes, Volunteer Opportunities
2. Physical Wellness: Hot, Nutritious Lunches (M-F), Health Screenings in partnership withUT Health Science Center, Cooking Demonstrations, Walking Club, Dance, Tai Chi, Zumba
3. Social Wellness: Intergenerational Activities, Field Trips, Table Games (dominoes, cards, bingo)
4. Intellectual Wellness: Financial Literacy Classes, Arts & Crafts, Book Club, Guitar Lessons, Quilting
5. Spiritual Wellness: Bible Study, Yoga
6. Emotional Wellness: Individual Counseling, Senior Citizen Specific Support Groups
For more information about the Senior Center, please contact Desiree Norman at 210-434-5531 ex. 2025 or norman_d@goodsamcenter.com.
News about Good Samaritan Community Services
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1600 Saltillo Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
United States
