October 2026 Newsletter

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Safe & Stable

While Wonda was out, her landlord moved a man into her shared rental space. There was no time to argue for her safety, only the chance to leave. She fl ed the threat of danger to the only protected place that she knew would accept her. Wonda went to Samaritan Inn. Here, she has a safe environment, a place of accountability to maintain sobriety, and a supportive residence to keep her employment. She has been sober for 15 months and did not want a stress factor to affect that success nor her long-term job. Now, Wonda has stability and opportunity to become independent.

Much of her life has been unstable, marked by divorce, addiction, domestic violence, the suicide of a partner, relapse, and periods of homelessness while camping in a city park. Her drinking started in her mid-thirties because of the stress of life. After a divorce, she met the love of her life. All was well until he and his buddies started using drugs. She threatened to leave. That is when the domestic violence started.

Wonda said. “I stayed because I kept hoping for that day when he would stop using drugs and be who he used to be.” Then, she used drugs because he did. But, he never stopped and eventually committed suicide. She was left alone, wandering between times of relapse, homelessness, various jobs, and rental rooms.

Now, Wonda has stabilized in her addiction and employment. At Samaritan Inn, she has stable housing but a poor rental history and a long wait for government subsidized housing. She is a candidate for our Transitional Housing Program, where she can rent a room in a shared house with only women. It’s on our secure Samaritan Inn campus with all the social service benefits included. She can develop a rental history, save money, and improve her credit score. Already, she has purchased a car, increasing her independence and opportunity for promotion at her place of employment.

“I love Samaritan,” Wonda said, “I feel safe and have a chance to get back on my feet. If I had to pay rent, I would not be able to buy a car or afford insurance and repair costs.” Referring to our chapel services, she said, “I like church. I always have. It’s like the preacher is up there talking to me. It puts me at ease. It’s uplifting, hopeful, encouraging, more positive.” When she recently faced that housing crisis, she knew Samaritan Inn was available. She did not go back to addiction camping in a city park, because Wonda knew there is a better way to live.