SAFFORD — At its one-year anniversary, Gila Valley Samaritan Home has made significant impact on the lives of the unhoused people it serves.
On its social media, Samaritan home said it has served 296 homeless individuals since opening in August 2023, served more than 3,000 meals, delivered 260 food boxes and distributed 227 meal cards.
However, the biggest news is in helping 31 individuals find permanent housing, helped four people halt the eviction process and assisted 17 others from being homeless.
“You’d be surprised how many people that end up out of their home because they can’t pay their rent or something along these lines, and probably 70 percent of the time it is women with children,” said Vaughn Grant with the Gila Valley Ministerial Association.
In addition to providing meals, meals, showers and laundry services, Samaritan Home serves as clearing house for information that can help people come off the street, including obtaining physical and mental health care, veterans services, addiction services and more.
Its latest effort has been in helping the homeless obtain identification in order to access services. In just three months, Samaritan Home has helped 14 people obtain a state-issued ID card and seven others obtain their birth certificates.
