thelma's story:
after tragedy - success & selflessness
During Breakfast Club, participants talk about issues affecting them personally or our society as a whole. It is a weekly form of support for many of our members.
Thelma first came to Samaritan Community in 2010 when her home and all her belongings were lost in a fire. Samaritan contributed food and emergency financial assistance to help Thelma get back on her feet, but more importantly, Thelma realized that the sense of love and community she found at Samaritan was what kept her coming back and enabled her to heal.
Through individual and group empowerment counseling Thelma was able to overcome the obstacles in front of her and rebuild a better life. "With the love and support of Sharon and all my friends at Samaritan Community, I knew I would be alright. And I was!"
Within a year, Thelma had a job with a laundromat in her neighborhood and is now the manager of that business. In addition, she has helped two other women from Samaritan Community to get jobs there. Thelma still attends Samaritan's Women Together group and finds the love and support as nourishing as ever. And Thelma has one more reason for sticking with the group. " I believe in giving back. I want to help some of my sisters the way they helped me. That's how it works!"
For more information about Samaritan Community, visit our Services or About Us pages.