Good Samaritan House

Project Description

The Good Samaritan House consists of two housing units with a total usable living area of 2,000 square feet. The ISC Board of Directors approved the purchase of the property located on West High Street for $61,000, using our own funding sources (loan). The units will require new kitchens and bathrooms, new electric service and new heating/air conditioning systems. Upon completion of these major renovation components, new drywall, paint, cabinets, appliances and bathroom fixtures will be required.

As grants and other funds become available, an addition will be added to the rear of the property to increase the number of individuals/families we can serve. One side of the Good Samaritan House will be rented at or below market rental rate to a low-income individual or couple who would also serve as the caretaker of the property. The remaining side would be used as the transitional housing unit and would be occupied by tenants from the target population described above. These tenants would be provided 30-45 day temporary housing while working with the ISC and other agencies to find suitable long term housing. There would be no cost to the tenants in the transitional side of the Good Samaritan House. The rental period could be extended with the approval of the ISC Board of Directors. While residing in the Good Samaritan House, tenants will be introduced to the other services of the ISC and will be encouraged to take advantage of these and other county-wide services available to aide in their transition to permanent housing.

News of this project has already been met in the Hancock Community with great enthusiasm and support in the very short time since our plans have been made public. Presently, a group of volunteer landscapers are working on the grounds surrounding the property to create a meditation garden for use by future tenants. Camp Joy, a "working summer camp" sponsored by the United Methodist Church is sending volunteer teams in July to begin a general clean-up of the grounds. Our Board of Directors is excited about this project, and with their broad representation of the community will be able to move our vision forward.

STAFF AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

President: TheReverend F. Allan Weatherholt Jr

Vice President: The Reverend Dr John Barlow

Secretary: Mr. Mark Stahr

Treasurer: Mrs Linda McCarty

Board Members: Police Chief T. J. Buskirk

Mr. Calvin Eddy

Ms Suzanne Edwards, L.C.S.W.

Mrs Sally Fost

Mr. Keith Kirk

The Reverend John Lesnick

Mr. William Sterner

The day-to-day operations of the ISC are managed by Mrs Deborah S. Cohill, our Executive Director who has been employed in this capacity since March 1998. Our Administrative Assistant, Mr Mark Stahr, has been employed with the ISC for nearly five years. Obviously, we have continuity in good solid management. Our thrift store boast over 100 volunteer hours per week. We have two workers who are paid through the Maryland Department of Aging Senior Aides Program. Both of these employees have been with our organization since the opening of the store in July 2002.