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STUDY CONFIRMS POWERFUL IMPACT OF MENTORING ON FAMILIES

Zeeland Free Methodist Church- 3rd & 4th Graders Care Closet Collection

“I just want to say thanks again to all of you for the assistance that you have provided to my daughter. She has truly been blessed. I said [before] and I will say it always, each and everyone one of you are truly a gift from God. I too have been touched by what you all do. It is such a positive experience to see that there are still people out there that care about other people and helping (enabling) them to be successful.”
--Dad of a CarLink Client, February 2008

Affiliated Programs

Impacting our community through collaborative programs.

What We Do

Partnering with both churches and local agencies, we administer programs that meet common goals.  While short-term needs can be met through The Clearinghouse, our affiliated programs strive to accomplish long-term goals - moving individuals from dependence to self-sufficiency.  From employment to transportation to housing and financial planning, our programs bring people together to help those in need.

In their evaluation of Good Samaritan's mentoring cases, the Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research said "the evaluation gives strong evidence to the immediate effect of Good Samaritan Ministries' programs on cases...and increasingly indicates a fairly robust, long-term positive benefit on client functioning."

Our Programs

CarLink
It’s difficult for people to maintain employment, housing and healthcare without reliable transportation.  Cutting to the core of this problem, CarLink encourages local residents to donate used vehicles, which are then given to families in need. In partnership with Ottawa County Department of Human Services (DHS) we identify families in need.  Potential car recipients are then linked to church mentors who assist them with planning for the expense and responsibilities of car ownership. Most donated vehicles are matched with families completing the program. Occasionally, however, vehicles that are not appropriate are sold and the revenue generated is used to purchase other reliable used vehicles that fit client families’ needs.  Visit our Good Sam Photo Gallery to see more.

Community Housing Partnership
In partnership with Community Action House and area churches, we provide homeless families with up to two years of affordable housing.  Through mentoring, financial counseling and life skills training, we help families overcome the obstacles to permanent housing.  We also provide mental health and substance abuse counseling through contracts with area agencies. Visit our Good Sam Photo Gallery to see more.

Financial Counseling
Working with area churches, we train church members to become financial counselors to struggling families.  As individuals contact our organization and/or join other Good Samaritan programs, we refer them to church counselors who help them set and meet financial goals.

Faith in Youth Partnership
In collaboration with three area school districts, nine area churches and youth ministry organizations, and the AmeriCorps program, we provide programming for at-risk middle school youth, including tutoring, on-on-one mentoring, and drop-in after school activities. Visit our Good Sam Photo Gallery to see more.

Impact a family and make a difference by volunteering for CarLink, Community Housing Partnership, or Faith In Youth. Your investment will change the lives of those in our community. Orientation and training are available for all volunteer positions. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for to begin investing in your community!