Strengthening the Samaritan House, Strengthening Our Community by Chase

Strengthening the Samaritan House, Strengthening Our Community by Chase - June 2026 Scholarship Essay

If I could design a project to improve my community, it would focus on creating a sustainable source of monthly income to support homelessness services in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. Rather than building a new shelter, my goal would be to strengthen and expand the resources of the Samaritan House, a respected nonprofit organization that has served homeless individuals and families throughout Orangeburg, Calhoun, and Bamberg Counties for many years.
The Samaritan House is currently the only homeless living facility in the Tri-County area that provides temporary shelter, hot meals, and stabilization services for men, women, and children. More importantly, it offers a safe and welcoming environment that helps residents regain stability and hope. However, the facility can only house approximately forty residents at a time. As Orangeburg County continues to grow, the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness has also increased, creating a greater demand for services than the shelter can currently accommodate.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Samaritan House relies heavily on donations, grants, and volunteers to sustain its operations. While community support has been invaluable, these funding sources can fluctuate from month to month. My project would focus on working alongside the shelter's board of directors, local businesses, and community leaders to develop a reliable, income-generating initiative that provides recurring monthly revenue. This could include a social enterprise, community fundraising partnership, or other business venture designed specifically to support the shelter's long-term financial stability.
The primary objective would be to create a funding model that allows the Samaritan House to expand its capacity and services without depending solely on unpredictable donations. Additional funding could help increase the number of beds available, improve facilities, provide more job-readiness programs, and offer expanded support services for families transitioning out of homelessness. By investing in growth, the shelter could serve more individuals while maintaining the high standard of care that has earned it respect throughout the Orangeburg community.
I am passionate about this project because homelessness is not simply a housing issue, it affects education, employment, health, and overall community well-being. When people have access to shelter and support services, they are better equipped to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Strengthening the Samaritan House would not only benefit those experiencing homelessness but would also contribute to a healthier, safer, and more compassionate community for everyone.
Through my education and future career, I hope to develop the leadership, problem-solving, and community engagement skills necessary to help make projects like this a reality. By creating sustainable funding opportunities for organizations such as the Samaritan House, I believe we can address the growing challenge of homelessness in Orangeburg County and ensure that more individuals and families have access to the support they need to achieve lasting stability.