Mental Health Matters
Housing loss or being at risk of losing housing is a crisis. So, everyone who walks through our doors at Good Sam seeking assistance is in active crisis. This is often in addition to the loss of trust in other agencies and the impact of traumatic events, physical health concerns, and barriers to receiving basic […]
It’s Time to Speak Up
We need you to stand with Good Sam and give a voice to the voiceless. Three years ago, there was a widespread community request for a winter shelter for homeless individuals in Ephrata, and Good Sam was asked to provided the much-needed service. Now, the future of our Winter Shelter program is in jeopardy. During […]
Turning Pain Into Purpose
“My husband and I decided to make a monetary donation to Good Samaritan Services in honor of our daughter, Liz, who along with her husband, Ryan, have started volunteering at Good Sam in Ephrata, helping wherever they are needed and very excited to do so. It’s heartwarming to hear Liz tell stories of the good […]
Beauty from Ashes: Celebrating New Beginnings After Ephrata Fire
August 8th, 2021 was a difficult day for Good Sam. Within 7 weeks of purchasing a new property to continue serving the community of Ephrata, a devastating fire broke out in the building and put our plans on hold. This year on August 8th, exactly one year and many repairs and renovations later, we were […]
Good Sam Expanding to Serve Kennett Square!
During Good Sam’s 20+ year existence, there have been several instances in which we were approached by other organizations seeking to partner with us. After starting our ministry in Phoenixville, we expanded to Ephrata in 2011 when we were invited to take over a shelter program for women and children. In 2017, we were asked […]
Good Sam Doubles Emergency Shelter Beds Available in PXV
Just a few years ago, Chester County had seen a decrease in homelessness by almost 23%, however; those numbers were determined just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Today, Chester County is only seeing increases in homelessness and poverty. The good news is, Good Samaritan Services has doubled its service capacity by transitioning two of its housing […]
Steinman Foundation Funds Winter Shelter Success
Good Samaritan Services’s Winter Shelter was an enormous collaborative effort from the Lancaster County community, and we are thrilled to report on its success. Between December 1st, 2020, and March 16th, 2021, Good Sam was able to provide 781 nights of shelter, over 1,500 meals, and continued support to those who utilized our facility. This […]
Good Sam Receives PANO Standards of Excellence
Local homelessness agency Good Samaritan Services continues to expand its capacity to serve individualsand families experiencing homelessness. It’s warming up outside, but the need for housing doesn’t disappear with the snow! Beginning on March 16th, 2021 Good Sam’s winter shelter facility will transition from a nightly shelter to a 60-day emergency shelter program. With this […]
Winter Shelter in Ephrata to Transition to 60-Day Emergency Shelter for Warming Months
A photo journey of the construction progress at our new Ephrata office building!
Growing with Good Sam
Serving over 400 individuals and families across both Lancaster and Chester Counties Growth technically isn’t a “core value” at Good Sam, but it does seem to follow when we are meeting our core values; Christian Faith, Compassion, Generosity, Partnership, Stewardship, and Gratitude. In the past 4 years, we’ve doubled in capacity, services, and size. We’ve […]
