By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
On the morning of Nov. 5, Samaritan Center staff and community members came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the expansion of the Center’s case management services, including a brand-new office and meeting space. The new office is located adjacent to the Center’s kitchen and dining space at 215 North State Street. In operation since 1981, the Samaritan Center in Syracuse is a nonprofit, inter-faith, community-based organization that helps feed the hungry 7 days per week, while also providing case management and outreach alongside many other services aimed at helping those in need.
Speaking at the event was New York State Senator Rachel May, whose advocacy for the Samaritan Center helped the organization secure $250,000 in financial support to acquire the new space. In her remarks, Senator May said what the Samaritan Center provides is “not just a meal. It’s really nutritious, delicious food prepared with love and served with love. … I couldn’t be prouder that we’re helping you expand your services and resources for folks here.”
Samaritan Center executive director Mary Beth Frey introduced the new case management team, program director Raymond A. Mailloux III and case manager Amber Rush, who, she said, “will help daily to create connections, hope, and opportunity… ensuring that the vision of opportunity of [the Samaritan Center] is made real through practical services and supports.”
Frey also emphasized that the case management services they provide, which include assistance with issues such as unemployment or underemployment, housing issues, homelessness, assistance accessing benefits, legal services, health care, and more, are not meant to be duplicative to services already available in the community. Rather, she said, “Our goal…is to make those critical connections and fill the gaps. Every day, we have the honor of walking beside our guests during some of their darkest days. Through this service, with care and respect, we will continue to meet people where they are at, and help foster real and lasting change.”
