Monday, October 22, 2007

Collin County’s only homeless shelter, The Samaritan Inn, prepares residents to be self-sufficient

By Minnie Payne

MCKINNEY — When 52-year-old Samaritan Inn Director Lynn Sipiora moved to McKinney 10 years ago she and her husband bought a beautiful new two-story brick home with which she became decorating obsessed.

“I was torturing over a new pair of drapes one day and thought to myself ‘enough is enough.’” she said. “I had my priorities all wrong and immediately went to the yellow pages and searched for a homeless shelter where I could volunteer.”

Sipiora said that phone call began 10 years of service with Collin County’s only homeless shelter, The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. Sipiora first served as a volunteer for the Inn; then as a volunteer member on the Board of Directors; then as a member at large; then as president of the Board of Directors, and was hired as director in 2005.

Sipiora explains that The Samaritan Inn was built in the 1970s as a nursing home; then became the Collin County Jail for 20 years.

“In 2000, The Samaritan Inn purchased the building from the county for $100,000, and did $600,000 worth of renovations,” she said. “Black mole and asbestos damage had to be corrected and a great many aesthetic changes were made.

“We moved in August, 2004.”

A tour of the building shows a library, a chapel, a reading room, a full commercial kitchen, dining room, offices, distribution wing, computer lab, one men’s wing, one women’s wing, and two family wings, all with separate bathrooms. There are a total of 120 beds.

“All furniture has been donated, and we are supported by Collin County grocery stores, churches, service clubs and individuals,” said Sipiora. “In 2006, our food bill was $120,000, and we only paid $18,000; the remainder was donated.”

She explained that the kitchen presently packs 58 lunches per day for 120 residents, 45 of whom are children.

Sipiora said that The Samaritan Inn was formed in 1984 by the Collin County Ministerial Alliance, and its first location was on Route 5 in McKinney.

“The original building accommodated 40 people and was primarily supported by churches and individuals,” she said. “When we moved here, we tripled in size.”

Residents are often referred by police, hospitals, social workers, psychologists, or word of mouth, Sipiora said.

“Residents have to be at least 18 years old; must have no violent crime in their background, and have to be clean and sober for the last 30 days,” she said.

According to Sipiora, there are 30 full-time and part-time employees and thousands of volunteers. Volunteers mow grass, paint, serve meals, tutor children, mentor residents, and perform office work, among other things.

“You name it, they [volunteers] do it,” she said.

Samaritan Inn Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Spofford said that volunteers provide a wide range of areas of expertise, in that some of them work specifically with adults in helping them get on their feet, while others work with children, giving them a time of enjoyment during their stay.

“Volunteers and counseling interns provide life skills classes wherein residents are taught how to conduct themselves on an interview, or how to prepare a resume.”

Medical care for residents is provided by PrimaCare, Sipiora said.

“Collin County has a contract with PrimaCare wherein if someone meets certain stringent indigent requirements, he can go to PrimaCare for a $20 co-pay,” she said. “The Samaritan Inn provides all prescription drugs for residents.”

Of most importance is the Inn’s vocational program, Samaritan Inndustries, which was started in 2006, said Sipiora.

“Samaritan Inndustries makes award-winning chocolate truffles, ‘Greater Goodies,’ and markets them,” she said. “Among other things, residents learn computer, marketing, customer service, advertising, and inventory skills.”

According to Sipiora, the Inn buys the ingredients for the candy and is just breaking even.

“We are looking for someone to fund a grant for the program, so that we can make a profit,” she said.

Sipiora said that residents usually graduate in about three months, which means that they have a job that the Inn, in some cases, has helped them obtain, and they are ready to be self-sufficient.

“Also, a new transitional housing facility, The North Texas Gateway Apartments, a short distance from the Inn, will be ready for graduates the end of February,” she said. “Rent will be set at 30 percent of market value and the transition period will be 6-24 months.”

Samaritan Inn Case Worker Jeff Legg said that in determining if someone can become a resident, he looks at whether or not the subject is able to work and more importantly whether they have a true desire to improve their situation.

“We will try and help anyone from just about any circumstances as long as they show real motivation to get back on their feet,” he said.

Director Sipiora said that she was born in Philadelphia, but spent her formative years in many places throughout the United States. She graduated from a high school in Maryland and attended Northwestern University in Illinois.

“My message to the world is that all people on earth are connected, and I feel that we are obligated to help one another,” she said. “People who come to Samaritan Inn are down and out through no fault of their own. They need a hand-up, instead of a handout.

“I see myself as an advocate for the disadvantaged and for those who have been beaten down. I take my job very seriously.”

Related stories

• National Homelessness Awareness Month prompts action in Dallas (Nov. 2, 2007)

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