ASHTABULA — As Ashtabula County emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Samaritan Home is asking residents to assist the homeless shelter get again on monitor.
The county’s solely homeless shelter, at 4125 Station Ave., offers a brief house for males, ladies, kids and households.
Since March 2020, the Samaritan Home has been open 24/7.
Government Director Steve Sargent mentioned the wanted donations are very important to the shelter’s every day operation.
“Being open 24/7 throughout the pandemic is an effective factor, nevertheless it additionally causes us to make use of much more gadgets,” he mentioned. “The neighborhood has all the time been receptive to our wants and I’m assured that they are going to proceed to take action. I’d wish to thank everybody prematurely for his or her kindness.”
The shelter wants paper towels, tissues, spray disinfectant, cleansing merchandise for kitchens, bogs, home windows, flooring and customary areas, together with espresso/powder creamer, espresso filters, new pillows and tub towels.
Gadgets might be dropped at the shelter.
Earlier than the pandemic, the Samaritan Home was open 24 hours throughout the winter, with intakes starting day by day at 4 p.m., providing the homeless a 30-day keep and meals for 3 meals per day, although residents do their very own cooking.
The five-bedroom, three-bath, brick house homes as much as eight individuals at a time. Earlier than the pandemic, it housed 14 individuals. Final yr, it supplied shelter to 100 individuals — 55 males, 33 females and 12 kids, Sargent mentioned.
The common age vary was 25-45, he mentioned.
About 90 % of the individuals who keep on the Samaritan Home keep 90 days of much less. The common keep is 67 days and 94 % discovered everlasting or short-term housing, he mentioned.
“There are a battery of the explanation why individuals come to us, nevertheless it’s virtually all the time their financial standing,” Sargent mentioned. “We do have numerous people battling a substance-abuse downside. We work with native counseling companies to assist them get no matter companies mandatory to beat their battle.”
The Samaritan Home is funded by a number of sources, together with the Ohio Division of Growth, United Means of Ashtabula County and the Federal Emergency Administration Company. Native contributions from church buildings, corporations, residents and fundraising occasions help the shelter.
Sooner or later, Sargent hopes to increase the amenities.
Ashtabula Metropolis Council President John Roskovics mentioned the Samaritan home has been doing nice work for a few years.
“These shared statistics present how efficient they’re and the way their concern and efforts are altering lives,” he mentioned. “I hope they’ll obtain their grants to proceed and increase and their great works.”
For extra data on Samaritan Home or to donate gadgets or cash, name Sargent at 440-992-3178.
