Monday, April 26, 2010, was moving day for 10 of the SAMM Shelter residents, as they change their address from 910 W. Commerce to 1 Haven for Hope Way. Still under the care of SAMMinistries, these men will be moving into our brand new facilities on the Haven for Hope Campus. The move will come as a welcomed change as these men move out of a building that is over 103 years old into a state-of-the-art facility. Each day, 10 more men will move from the existing SAMM Shelter on Commerce to the new SAMM Shelter on the campus.
As soon as the men are moved from the Commerce Shelter, the women from the Commerce Shelter will have their moving days, followed by the families. The last of the moving will take place in June, at which time the SAMM Shelter on Commerce will close its doors. Until then, SAMMinistries will be operating their program from two sites.
Although the building may be changing, one thing will not! The SAMMinistries' Staff will continue to serve the homeless men, women, and children of San Antonio with compassion and dignity. We are excited to be able to bring the people we serve to a new facility, knowing it will be a blessing
for their comfort.
But we remember that, although the buildings will be a step up from what they are used to, they are only buildings. It is the encouragement and comfort given through our staff, made possible through the support of thousands of caring San Antonians, that will make the difference in the lives of those we serve!
The first week of moving is almost over and by the end of Friday, 50 men from the SAMM Shelter will now be living at our Men's Residential Building on the Haven for Hope Campus. With each week we will increase the numbers of men moving, so that within 3 weeks we will have all of our men moved to the new facilities.
The first day had its share of difficulties. This being a first time to register new Members, there were some logistics to work out which made it a long day for the first group of men. But, at lunch on Tuesday, one of the men who had entered the facility on Monday, said it had been a long day, but, "it was well worth it!" he was grateful for the opportunity.
Much was learned in the process and each day since has seen great improvements. As in any move, a few bumps in the road are to be expected, but SAMMinistries will be there to help these pioneers to the campus make it through the journey unscathed!
We are thankful to the volunteers, donors, and to those who are praying for SAMMinstries and those we serve! As you see pictured below Madison Square Presbyterian Church provided flowers as a beautiful welcoming to the Men's Residential Building. The men thought they were very nice. Not only did the arrangement brighten their day with the vibrant colors and aroma, they served as a visual reminder that people are thinking about them. What a difference that makes!
