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SAMMinistries is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to help the homeless
and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering,
with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing and services. SAMMinistries
also provides volunteers opportunities to be renewed and fulfilled as they serve.
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Our future depends on them
and it looks great!
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Morgan holds plaque honoring those who helped
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It's May and, with the end
of the school year approaching, I thought that this month would be the perfect time to highlight some of the children who are doing great things for SAMMinistries and the homeless men, women and children we serve.
First, Morgan Gostylo has completed her Girl Scout Gold Award by working on a project at the SAMM Shelter on the Haven campus. This young lady put her leadership and creative skills together to make the Reading Room truly a place for children to enjoy.
Next, you will be introduced to Brenden French. He also has a heart for kids and worked for two years on his gift to the children we serve.
Lastly, we have an update on the happenings at the Capital that affect SAMMinistries and the homeless throughout the state. When we had our letter writing event, we had kids show up to write letters of support also! Some of these kids are just concerned, some have been homeless, and some are homeless now-but all of them wanted to help!
As you will read, it's not too late to help. Read on . . . |
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Morgan Gostylo Earning Gold Through Service
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Kim Parker (left) & Morgan (rt)
in front of their creation
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Morgan Gostylo, through her Girl Scout Gold Award and SAMMinistries, was able to focus her love of children and education into a project she designed, funded and implemented at the SAMM Shelter at Haven for Hope.
While giving a tour, a SAMMinistries representative showed her their Reading Room and told her they needed an environment that invited children to read and learn. Because of her leadership and networking skills she has learned through Scouting, high school and church experiences, she was able to collect craft kits, art and school supplies, and library books for children worth over $3,000.
She also "pitched" her dreams and ideas to anyone who would listen; gathering sponsors and donations for her project. Her biggest challenge was to find an artist to create and design a mural wall. Kim Parker, a local artist, was thrilled to donate her artistic gift toward Morgan's project.
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Magnetic wall and bean bags corner by computers
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Morgan organized volunteers to paint Kim's design on a wall over their Spring Break. She also created a casual "Bean Bag" reading corner, painted a magnetic wall for children to hang their artwork - so they have a part in decorating their room - and purchased room décor, educational computer games and craft supplies for the children.
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Mural wall
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On May 10th the Reading Room was officially re-opened and Morgan was honored for completing her Gold Award. Then Morgan took time to recognize the numerous people and organizations that helped her vision become a reality.
Morgan is a fine example of a young person in service to others. We have been blessed by her generous and caring spirit. She is a graduating senior at Incarnate Word High School and will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York with the goal of receiving her masters in chemical engineering with a minor in business. We wish her all good things in her future!
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Brenden French--A Special Eight-Year-Old
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Brenden holding a Bible and his special bookmarks
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Eight-year-old Brenden recently called us with exciting news--he was going to deliver 40 new children's Bibles! "I wanted to give Bibles to kids who couldn't buy one of their own."
Brenden's gift did not come easy for this young man, but his determination and caring kept him pressing toward his goal. He first had the idea two years ago when, at six years old, he was inspired by a church project. Money had been raised for another cause and Brenden thought he would do something to raise money for his own cause--helping kids learn about God!
Brenden got to work using his artistic skills to create 300-400 bookmarks. Once he had made a few, he started to sell them for a donation to his goal to raise $500 to buy Bibles. It took him over two years to make and sell enough bookmarks to reach his goal. Happily, when the day came that he reached the $500 goal, he was able to purchase 40 children's Bibles.
In addition to to the Bibles, Brenden also made bookmarks to be presented with the Bibles, so each child would also have something uniquely different to call their own. When told that these Bibles would probably be the first ones for most of our kids, Brenden looked surprised and then broke into a big smile. Until that moment, he had no idea what a treasure his gift would be to the kids who will receive them. Brenden knew in his heart that the kids would want a Bible, but it never occurred to him that this would be their first! His mission was made even more special by this revelation.
Brenden showed a focus on a goal unlike most children his age, but he also showed much heart and a gentle spirit. Although this gift will be a blessing to many, he is not one to rest on his laurels. Brenden is already thinking about his next project. We thank him for thinking of us and the children we serve and pray for his future works!
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Now Available--SAMMinistries iPhone & Android APP
|  We are happy to announce that SAMMinistries has an app available for your iPhone & Android and it is FREE at the iPhone App Store. The app will link your phone to our website, Facebook Fan page, Twitter postings and even our YouTube videos. The SAMMinistries app will give you all of the up-to-the-minute information on SAMMinistries' happenings in the palm of your hand. If you own an iPhone or Android, please take a moment to download the app and share it with your friends and family. Let's spread the news about all of the good things that are made possible by our friends and supporters!
Download iPhone app HERE
Download Android app HERE Top of Page |
Volunteer Needs and Opportunities
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WE NEED YOU . . .
At TLLC: Summer is here and we are looking for Volunteers who are able to open the Teen Room at TLLC. The Teen Room is equipped with a kitchen, video games, a pool table and, of course, a stereo. We are currently seeking volunteers to come to the Transitional Living and Learning Center evenings and weekends and open the Teen Room so our kids can enjoy the wonderful space we have. We need 2-4 volunteers per 2-hour shift. Shifts are Friday and Saturday evenings, 6:00-8:00. TLLC is in need of receptionist desk coverage. We are currently looking for volunteers to provide service Monday through Friday from 12:00-1:00pm. Duties include monitoring doors, answering and relaying phone calls, as well as working closely with some of the residents. If you are looking to serve a little extra, we are in need of a volunteer Receptionist on Wednesday from 12:00-4:00pm. Special Events at TLLC: On June 11th SAMMinistries will be hosting a Yard Sale at the Transitional Living and Learning Center located at 5922 Blanco Road. We need your help to run a successful Yard Sale. Shifts run from 6:00am-10:30am and 10:30-2:00pm. Duties include set up, tear down, sales, sorting and everything in between. Contact Matt Curtis for more information. This is a great project for Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops. Father's Day is right around the corner and we are currently looking for a volunteer team that would be interested in hosting a barbeque for the fathers and their families at the Transitional living and Learning Center. Activities may include any number of things and the event can be scheduled with some flexibility. At the Haven for Hope campus: Calling all churches, businesses, and small groups! SAMMinistries is currently recruiting monthly volunteer groups to sponsor Family Nights at SAMMinistries at Haven for Hope. Volunteer Teams will open theTeen Room, Play Room and Reading Room, allowing our families to utilize these very special rooms. We are also in need of volunteers . . . - Tuesday Night Childcare at TLLC
- June 7th Tuesday Night Meal Team
- Saturday Morning Childcare 9:00-11:00am
- Donation Warehouse Volunteers
- Facility Support and Team Clean
- Furniture for a Cause Store Volunteers
More opportunities posted online---- take a look!
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There's Still Time to Write, Sign, or Call!
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Thanks to all who gave a voice to the voiceless at our advocacy letter writing event! We hand-delivered your letters and petitions to your Texas state legislators!
Capital Update:
All of the $20 million dollars allotted last session through Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs was removed from this budget cycle.
We are asking for some of these funds to be reinstated.
The House and Senate have come up with two different budgets that must come into agreement. A Conference Committee has been set up to make this happen. So, there is still time to be heard and several ways to do so.
1) If you would like to write a letter--it's not too late!
We will fax letters to the Legislators through May 31st. Just get them to our office
and we will do the rest!
Address: SAMMinistries-5254 Blanco Road-San Antonio, TX-78216
Our fax number: 210-348-6798
2) Sign our online petition (if you haven't already!)
CLICK HERE
OR
3) Call one of these Conference Committee Members
and ask for the consideration of money in the budget for the homeless
Conference Committee Members
House Members
Rep. Jim Pitts, Chair: 1-888-823-9190
Rep. Sylvester Turner: 1-888-828-0051
Rep. John Zerwas: 1-888-838-0224
Rep. John Otto: 1-888-644-2670
Rep. Myra Crownover: 1-888-958-8864
Senate Members
Rep. Steve Ogden, Chair: 1-888-510-4580
Rep. Jane Nelson: 1-888-514-5807
Rep. Tommy Williams: 1-888-514-8930
Rep. Robert Duncan: 1-888-723-0408
Rep. Juan Hinojosa: 1-888-812-0531
If you have any questions about this effort, please contact Erika Hizel, our director of external relations, at 210-321-5611.
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I am excited to be able to give you a report with such an uplifting message--our future is in good hands. San Antonio is blessed with kids whose hearts are filled with caring and loving spirits. Morgan and Brenden are just two examples of how the efforts of young people have deeply blessed the children we serve. Perhaps, one of the kids blessed by Morgan and Brenden will, in the future, remember this experience and give back in a very special way, too! I pray so!
Thankful for San Antonio's youth,
 Navarra R. Williams President and CEO
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