Goals
What are the goals of SAMM?
In addition to providing shelter and meals on an emergency basis,
SAMM works to assist guests in achieving
a permanent, independent
lifestyle.
SAMM goals include:
* Meet basic needs of homeless individuals and families by providing an environment which maintains their dignity and self-worth.
* Prepare and assist each guest to attain and maintain an independent
lifestyle.
* Provide a channel for individual and congregational ministry to the ever-growing number of poor and homeless
* Be an advocate for those in our society who are in need and have no voice
(What We Do)
There are several locations that offer the services and all have the
common goal to help the homeless or transient population of our city.
Referrals will be made to those who are turned down or are otherwise not
eligible for one program to another.
Teams help by providing:
* help in arranging child care or transportation
* a friend to talk things over with
* tutoring for family members in school
* help with parenting skills
* help in organizing family finances and budgeting
* help with nutrition and food planning
* help in filling out forms
* help in household management
* advice with job progression/training
What other services are provided?
* Meals - Society of St. Vincent de Paul
* Health Clinic - Health Care for the Homeless (HCH)
* Employment Counseling - Texas Employment Commission
* Social Services - City of San Antonio and HCH
* School - K-5th grade on-site, SAISD Religious Programs - TOUCH and
member congregations
* Mental Health Counseling - Center for Health Care Services
* Adult Education Classes - SAMM staff and volunteers
* Legal Services - St. Mary's Law School
What is the Partnership Program?
Partnership is a holistic, interactive program that complements
existing social services and government
programs. Partnership volunteers
provide emotional, educational, experiential and spiritual support to
families who have recently graduated from one of the centers.
Partnership volunteers are trained and commit to a six month program in
which they, as a member of a team,
work with a previously homeless
family as they make the transition into a self-supporting lifestyle.
Who are SAMM volunteers?
SAMM volunteers are people who put into into action their personal
beliefs in ministry to the homeless.
Among the jobs which volunteers
perform are: administrative processing of guests, overnight floor
monitoring,
short-term child care, reception and phone answering, and
other services.
The programs at the centers could not operate without volunteers; their
contributions of time and services
allow SAMM to operate effectively
within a low budget.
How does a congregation participate?
Member congregations make a low-fold commitment:
1. To provide financial support
2. To provide volunteers to supervise the SAMM Center at night
Associate member congregations may provide either one of these
two elements. The specific commitment in
each of the two areas
is determined by the individual congregation, based on its
resources.
COMMUNITY MINISTRIES CENTER FAMILY AMIGOS
In the heart of the city, just north of the Alamo, up to nine families
form a community of mutual support while
they recover from homelessness.
CMC is Sa Antonio Metropolitan Ministry's transitional shelter program
at 212 N. Alamo. These families need short term help in adjusting to life in the shelter
where they cook and
prepare their own meals, take parenting and conflict
resolution classes, and learn to live in a caring community.
Family Amigos bridge the gap from the isolation of the shelter to the
wider caring community by providing:
* knowledgeable friends to talk to
* help with household equipment needed to live at CMC
* morale support and encouragement
* mentoring for the children
* tutoring for residents in training programs
* computer knowledge and support
* life skills education
SAT289........910-2009
///Keys:
Homeless shelter
Shelter for homeless
Medical treatment & referral for homeless
Nutrition assistance (senior citizens)
Food & clothing for homeless
Clothing for homeless
Play ground for children
Parent training
www.samm.org