www.samaritanhouse.com
San Mateo, CA 94403-4666
4031 Pacific Blvd.
THE
SAMARITAN PRE
V IEW
coverage of the event.
food choices for her family, and for media
videos of Libia and how she makes healthy
of two. Check our Facebook page for
most challenging time as a single mother
with housing and expenses during her
pleased to have been able to assist Libia
event Roundtable. Samaritan House was
food stamps and $4.50 a day, during the
spoke about the challenges of living on
Challenge on October 31st, and Libia
House took part in Speier’s Food Stamp
recipient, Libia Bustamante. Samaritan
House client and current food stamp
Jackie Speier with a recent Samaritan
Pictured here are Congresswoman
Her Life and Inspiring Us All
Libia Bustamante Is Rebuilding
AY
HOLID
for Clients
Making a Difference
client services:
NEI GHBO R HELPI N G NEIGHBO R FA LL 2 011
hbor
Makes the Difference
BOARD OF DIREC TORS
FALL 2011
Lucretia-del J. Broussard
Maude N. Brezinski
Ralph Armenio
John C. Boyle, Treasurer
Betty Till, Secretary
Patricia Hsiu, Vice President
Tish Busselle, President
3 MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN
2 MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS,
1 MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN
• Vanessa Love shares her love of Wee Care with Project Wee Care book
• Franklin Templeton “Social Media Challenge” earns $10,000 for
• Blue Shield awards $40‚000 grant for San Mateo clinic
• Samaritan House and Shelter Network partner to help house veterans
HEALTHCARE, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY
• Sequoia Healthcare District awards Samaritan House
• 5 Minutes with Dr. Mary Twieg in honor of
BREAST CANCER PREVENTION
financial literacy education
$43,000 for new breast care program
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
IN THIS ISSUE
bor Helping Neighbor is our motto, and it is particularly This season is
tant this season, when spreading holiday cheer and looking about children
Natashia López–Gómez
William Freeman
Jennifer Fisher
Karifa Diawara
Richard L. Davis
Nisha Chaudry
Joan Cassman
those less fortunate than ourselves is so vital. We are as as much as it is
ith our enthusiastic teams of volunteers, who began about giving and
s gn ng u n ctober for opportunities. Things ramp up in November receiving, and
NON - PROFIT ORGANIzATION
and December, when our all-important donors drop off toys, food, and our Wee Care
SAN MATEO, CA
monetary contributions that help us provide holiday assistance to our clients. Program captures
PERMIT NO. 164
U.S. POSTAGE
that spirit. It is also
s am
l a u ri t a n H
PAID
heartwarming to
se
Sheila Wolfson
James Whitehead
Jay Strauss
Carl A. Serrato
Timothy K. Roake
Allison Nuschy-Lenat
J. Frank McCabe
e p p i a!
nch
M e d s o cia
see children visit our
a
Holiday Toy Shoppe
e
. 2–
s
to donate new toys they
3
have purchased with their
ou se
l
allowances, or cash gifts they may have
received. Our Club Days and Family Days are unique
opportunities for young people and families to get in on the holiday
fun and giving.
ANNOUNCEMENTS We always have wonderful teams of teens each year who conduct food
drives and collect food and monetary donations from area supermarkets,
Volunteer Physicians from Menlo Medical retinal disease, which, if left untreated, would have yielding supplies that last well beyond the holidays and into the New
Shine at “Menlo Medical Saturday” progressed to blindness. SAVE THE DATE!
Year. A special thank-you to the San Mateo High students, who always
The next Menlo Medical Clinic Day at the
Redwood City Clinic takes place on Saturday, 2 012 s p r i n g g a l a do an outstanding job with their record-breaking efforts.
November 12th.
We are already getting ready for our The 2010 Holiday Program yielded bags of toys to over 2,000 children,
Main Event this spring! The date is
Congratulations And Thanks to May 12 at 6 pm at the Hyatt Regency, gift cards for 1,000 teens, and holiday food for over 5,000 low-income
Peggy Myers, 2011 Kelly Award Winner Burlingame. Check for the latest seniors, adults, and children. The economic challenges of the last year
updates over the next few months at require us to do even more this season, and your help counts. So if you
Thanks to Peggy Myers for her many years of
www.samaritanhouse.com, and on our
volunteer work with Samaritan House, and also can, donate, volunteer, and discover the joy of the season by truly being
for her recent generous donation to our Capital
social media posts.
Campaign. “I was surprised and honored to the neighbor who helps your neighbor.
receive this year’s Kelly Award,” she states. “It
has been tremendously fulfilling to volunteer with
Start Your Engines!
Donations of gifts and toys make all the difference to families during the holiday season.
Samaritan House all these years and to work with Golden Gate Harley Owners Group (HOG)
Dr. Jason Wong (far right), medical director of the Samaritan House
Clinic of Redwood City, with volunteer physicians from Menlo all the wonderful staff.” Rides Once Again for Samaritan House
Medical Clinic who helped out in July. They are, from left to right:
Dr. Seth Weissman, Dr. Rachel Seaman, and Dr. Harlan Matles. Mark Your Calendars for Saturday November 19th.
The Ladies of Harley will once again be riding
HOW TO DONATE
“I would like to thank all the physicians who for the Thanksgiving Food Drive. They will depart
volunteered their time to make the Menlo Medical early in the morning from Dudley Perkins Co. IN - KIND DONATIONS CASH OR CHECKS TOYS
Clinic Saturday Event at Samaritan House a success,” Harley Davidson in South San Francisco, for the In addition to monetary donations, we Mail or deliver to the Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Donation barrels are located in the 3rd
commented Dr. Jason Wong, medical director ride to College Park Elementary School in San are particularly in need of the following Samaritan House Administration Office, Holiday Toy Shoppe, 1515 South floor reception area at Samaritan House
of the Redwood City Clinic. Thank you for your Mateo. Collection barrels have been set up since in-kind donations this holiday season: Third Floor, Claremont St, San Mateo, according to headquarters, 4031 Pacific Blvd at 42nd
commitment to serving the most vulnerable residents late October at Dudley Perkins, and escorting Avenue, San Mateo, 94403, M-F 9-12 noon
4031 Pacific Blvd., the following schedule:
in our community, and for making a difference in our the riders will be a truckload full of donations of
• Gift Certificates for teens ($5 or $10) San Mateo, Tues-Sat, 12/13-12/17 9 am – 12 noon & 1-4 pm and 1-5.
patients’ lives. I hope we can continue this partnership nonperishable foods for our clients in need. Way
and look forward to working with you again.” to go, Ladies!
• Grocery Store Gift Certificates ($5 or $10) CA, 94403. Tues-Fri, 12/20-12/23 9am – 12 noon & 1-4 pm THRU DECEMBER 22 oNly.
• Diapers, baby food, and formula (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and
The enthusiastic team of physicians saw 35 patients, Watch our Facebook page in the coming weeks for • Non-perishable foods (to donate food items 1 p.m.–5 p.m .)
covering everything from allergies to diabetes, and some pre-event photos and video of the Ladies of online, see our Amazon Wish List: http:// For detailed information about the 2011 Holiday
successfully diagnosed two patients with severe Harley in action. CREDIT CARD DONATION Program, click on the holiday icon on our home
www.samaritanhouse.com/new/donate_ page, www.samaritanhouse.com. There, you will find
volunteer/wish_list.shtml) Call (650) 341-4081, or donate online at information about Holiday Volunteer opportunities as
www.samaritanhouse.com. well as how to donate or provide financial support. In
MONETARY DONATIONS the spirit of protecting our environment, please print
ABOUT US Complete the optional form on our website, GIFT CERTIFICATES only those forms for the activities you prefer.
at www.samaritanhouse.com. Please send gift certificates to If you do not have access to the internet and would
The Samaritan is published three times Executive Director Kitty Lopez twitter @Samaritan_House than this hard copy? Please e-mail Samaritan House at the address above. like a volunteer packet mailed to you, please call the
a year by the Development Department of Public Relations Coordinator/ lissy@samaritanhouse.com, with your Click on the Holiday 2011 icon on the home Holiday Program Coordinator at (650) 523-0831.
Samaritan House, Editor Caroline Jaffe-Pickett facebook: http://www.facebook. name, contact information from your page, and scroll down to “Monetary and In- For Food and Toy Drives, please
All story ideas, letters to the editor, Design Price Watkins com/samaritanhouse.smc mailing label, and the email address you Kind Donations” to find the form. Mail it contact the Holiday Food and Toy Drives Left: Click on this Holiday Icon on
and comments, can be emailed to wish to receive the PDF, and we will Coordinator at (650) 523–0833 or email: www.samaritanhouse.com to view Volunteer
to Samaritan House along with your check and Donation opportunities.
caroline@samaritanhouse.com. www.samaritanhouse.com Save Trees! Do you want to receive this process it for you. Please type in the
or credit/debit card information. HolidayDrives@samaritanhouse.com.
newsletter electronically as a PDF, rather subject line: PDF Newsletter Please
www.samaritanhouse.com 1
AND THE DIRECTOR SAYS...
clinic corner:
$ funding opportunities and giving: Making a Difference soBraTo cHallenge granT
MaTcHed your donaTions
A TOTAL OF $205,000 RECEIVED!
Last year, the Sobrato Family Foundation chose
5 MinuTes WiTH dr. Mary TWieg saMariTan House and sHelTer neTWork parTner Samaritan House to receive a 2:1 Challenge
san MaTeo To Help House VeTerans Grant of $205,000. We received the initial
In honor of October Breast Cancer Awareness Samaritan House is pleased to partner with Shelter providers in the county to assist veterans and their contribution of $100,000 in July 2010, and
Month, we spent a few minutes with Dr. Mary Twieg, Network, which was recently awarded a grant from the family members with supportive services and benefits. were challenged to match this gift with new or
who has been the volunteer physician director for Department of Veterans Affairs to be the Supportive The SSVF program constitutes an extension of that increased donations from individual community
the San Mateo Breast Care Clinic since 2000. Dr. Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) provider for San existing collaboration of care providers, offering members and foundations. Thanks to all of
Twieg is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Mateo County. Shelter Network and Samaritan House critical family need and rental assistance. you, we not only met this match, but exceeded
Preventive Medicine, has post doctoral training have a shared history of more than two decades of Shelter Network and Samaritan House have worked it by more than $200,000. This resulted in the
in occupational medicine, and a Masters in Public working together to support low-income and homeless both independently and cooperatively, on the grant match from the Sobrato Family Foundation
Health from the University of California, Berkeley. families and individuals in San Mateo County. Both Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program of $105,000, received in August 2011. This
organizations are reaching out to partner agencies to (HPRP), funded by federal stimulus dollars to provide brings the total to $205,000! We very much
Following are highlights of the interview: ensure that their services will be accessed by veterans, housing assistance to eligible residents of San Mateo
appreciate all of you who stepped up to meet
on longevity on collaboration and this news brings a unique opportunity to make County. This partnership is strong, and will bring
this challenge.
We have developed an ongoing program with We collaborate with Mills Women’s Center for all deeper investments in serving this population. needed services to underserved veterans in San Mateo
patients who like and trust us, and they are happy our mammography and ultrasounds, and with the Samaritan House will coordinate with the staff at County. Watch for updates in the coming months on The Sobrato Family Foundation (www.sobrato.com)
to come back for yearly visits. Therefore, we have an San Mateo County Medical Center for biopsies and the Department of Veterans Affairs in Menlo Park, our website, www.samaritanhouse.com, and on our supports strong community-based nonprofits
excellent record of performing regular yearly complete surgical referrals. For women who are under 40, CA, and continue to partner with other service Twitter and Facebook pages. that promote self-reliance and economic
in the Community breast exams and mammography, which can be we collaborate with the Gabriella Patser Program independence, and is dedicated to creating
challenging when patients move in and out of the area. of private practice surgeons, under the auspices of
a community where all residents have equal
Breast Cancer Connections in Palo Alto. Blue sHield aWards $40,000 granT For san MaTeo clinic
Dear Friends, on challenges
opportunities to live, work, and lead enriched
One of our main challenges is keeping track of the on success stories and healthy lives.
The Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF)
patients and their addresses, and communicating Each year, we are able to tell nearly 350 visitors to the announced in late August it was awarding Samaritan
effectively with them regarding their annual exam clinic that their exams and mammograms are normal. House $40,000 in general operating support for the
011 Samaritan House Holiday reminders and follow-up, as needed. Our wonderful Obviously, this is enormously reassuring for those Samaritan House Free Medical Clinic of San Mateo. volunteer highlights:
son brings familiar scenes to the coordinator, Eileen Lopez-Guerra, whose position women worried about symptoms such as a pain or a The funding helps provide needed care to uninsured
munity: toys and food for more is funded by a Susan B. Komen Foundation Grant, lump, or for those with a family history of cancer. We Central San Mateo County residents. The grant is part
keeps track of all the mammograms, biopsies and also do find cancers in several of our patients every of the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen the statewide
than 1300 families; children donating allowances year, and hope that this early detection does indeed
tests, as well as address changes from clients, to network of community clinics and health centers,
and savings to other children less fortunate; adults save lives. One patient whose cancer we detected was “The Samaritan House Free Clinic of San Mateo Vanessa loVe sHares Her loVe oF
ensure that we provide the best follow-up possible. helping them provide high quality health care to
buying gifts and adopting families and seniors; Dr. Lynn Rosenstock and I couldn’t do our jobs in a homeless woman living in her car, and we made it a millions of vulnerable Californians.
continues to provide care because of support from Wee care WiTH projecT We care Book
priority to make sure she was properly diagnosed and volunteers, including doctors, dentists, and nurses,
teenagers fixing new bicycles; and thousands the clinic without Eileen, and we are very appreciative
of the Komen Grant. promptly referred for appropriate treatment. “Samaritan House is a vital part of California’s safety net,” and financial assistance from community partners like
of volunteers giving their time and their energy said Peter Long, Ph.D., president and CEO of BSCF. “The the Blue Shield Foundation. Their generosity helps
to helping our neighbors have a joyful holiday. struggling economy and cuts to key public services make us maintain services and care for more patients,” said
Businesses and foundations generously support community clinics more important than ever.” Kitty Lopez, Samaritan House Executive Director.
our safety net programs. Volunteers and staff sequoia HealTHcare disTricT aWards saMariTan House $43,000
launch social media at Samaritan House through For neW BreasT care prograM
Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. You will read these redWood ciTy Franklin TeMpleTon “social Media cHallenge” earns $10,000
For Financial liTeracy educaTion
stories in this issue of The Samaritan. Last spring, the Sequoia Healthcare District
awarded $43,000 to the Samaritan House Free The Samaritan House “Social Media Challenge,”
The season also brings other scenes that you won’t Clinic of Redwood City in order to provide sponsored by Franklin Templeton Investments, raised
see in print. These are the stories of women, men, funding for a Breast Care Clinic staffed by a $10,000 this summer. The funding will be used to
and families struggling to stay above water each “Patient Navigator.” A Patient Navigator is provide financial literacy classes for Samaritan House
important to many patients, particularly the poor clients. The response was overwhelming, with a frenzy
day. Just this week I have met several people we and underserved, who may have trouble getting of “tweeting” and Facebook updates at the program’s
have helped. Mary had received food from the adequate care due to the lack of information, “finale”—a testament that social media is not only here
Samaritan House Pantry and a job referral from financial assistance, social support, or trans- to stay, but is becoming a key player in cause-related
our case manager. She wanted to volunteer to help portation. The Patient Navigator helps guide clients marketing . Fans and Followers are now serving as
through the health care system, helping to improve brand champions and ambassadors for Samaritan Vanessa Love, known as the “Wee Care Lady,” wrote
others, as she was helped by us. I met a gentleman their quality of care, extend, and even save lives. House and other local nonprofit associations, such as the book on Project Wee Care. She is pictured on the right
visiting the Rotary Club who thanked me for the Second Harvest Food Bank and St. Vincent DePaul. along with her friend and Wee Care presentation partner,
Sequoia Healthcare District Board Chair Kim Samaritan House Executive Director Kitty Lopez
Samaritan House Medical Clinic’s helping him Susan Graham.
Griffin commented, “Sequoia Healthcare District is said the agency is “thrilled to have Sequoia Amanda Byers, head of Corporate Citizenship for
when he had lost his job and health insurance. A committed to providing preventative breast health and Healthcare District’s support for a new Breast Care Franklin Templeton, commented: “We are really Vanessa Love could not have a more perfect name for her calling
veteran visited our Board meeting who was on the coordination of breast cancer care to a population that Clinic as part of the Samaritan House Free Clinic pleased to help Samaritan House in their efforts to in life. She loves children, she loves the Samaritan House Wee
verge of homelessness and losing his new job, if traditionally has lacked this service. Personally, I urge of Redwood City. Through the Breast Care Patient engage people in a new and exciting way. Through Care Program, and most of all, she loves spreading the word!
primary care providers to follow the lead of agencies Navigator, we can close the gap between prevention social media initiatives, Samaritan House can better That was what inspired her to write and illustrate a book about
we had not helped him with his rent. Finally, a man
such as Samaritan House and county health services to services and health treatment for many low-income mobilize our community to help clients achieve their Wee Care to go along with the presentations she regularly makes
formerly making $85,000 a year lost his job and step up and do the same.” uninsured women in our community.” goals of self-sufficiency.” at Baywood Elementary School in San Mateo.
needed assistance to keep his family of 3 children
stable in their home. “I wrote this book because I really felt that the children at Baywood
Elementary needed to learn about the Wee Care program and
These are the stories behind the work of Samaritan Samaritan House in a fun and yet educational way,” she states.
development and public relations: Making a Difference The colorful book, which includes creative line drawings with
House every day. This is why we must continue
captions, explains what Samaritan House does and how kids can
to keep the safety net of services alive and help. It’s a great learning tool, and an important one, so that kids
strong: food, clothing, counseling, medical and “like” saMariTan House on FaceBook: learn at an early age about helping others.
dental care, shelter, housing assistance. Everyone saMariTan House launcHes social www.facebook.com/samaritanhouse.smc
Vanessa lives in San Mateo County with her husband Julian,
deserves a chance to succeed and live a better neTWorks and neW Blog The official Facebook page is the perfect way to introduce Samaritan House to a broad and diverse audience. and children Beech and Annie. In addition to her work with
by Krystle Chappell, volunteer Facebook currently boasts over 800 million users, and is a great platform to develop community engagement, the Wee Care Program, she has also volunteered for many years
quality of life. “Neighbor helping neighbor” is
Are you looking for a way to connect with Samaritan House from the launch campaigns, and share with other organizations and partners. “Like” the Samaritan House’s page, which with organizations such as San Mateo Suicide Prevention
not simply a motto; it is a lifeline. Our neighbors allows you to read our latest news, client profiles and success stories, post story links, photos, and videos, and share
comfort of your home computer, or the convenience of your Smart- Center and AmeriCorps.
need us more than ever today. And we need your phone? What about getting the latest news on volunteer and donation content with your Friends and Followers. Have a new idea for this newsletter or for our blog? Post it on Facebook!
support for them. opportunities? Samaritan House’s launch last summer on Twitter,
*Editor’s Note: The Wee
Facebook, and Wordpress blog, is exciting news for those wishing to Care Program, which launches
Have a prosperous holiday season! broaden their online participation with us, and offers us a dynamic suBscriBe To THe saMariTan House
each new school year, allows
new way to communicate with our audience. oFFicial Blog:
elementary schoolchildren to
http://samaritanhouseblog.wordpress.com support Samaritan House
The Samaritan House blog publishes once a week, and by collecting donations in
contains more in-depth posts then you will see on the the community for food and
Kitty Lopez, Executive Director social media updates, such as a client story, a look at clothing. For more information
FolloW saMariTan House on TWiTTer:
how homelessness is handled in the media, and other and to get involved, contact:
Samaritan House www.twitter.com/samaritan_House@samaritan_House michele@samaritanhouse.com.
inspiring stories of change and overcoming challenge.
On Twitter, a form of “mini” posting with a limit of 140 characters, users can follow Samaritan House at the The blog is a great place for you to post comments,
address above, “retweet” our posts, and also mention us at @samaritan_house. Updated several times a day, the suggest blog post ideas, or just say hello. You can
Samaritan House Twitter “tweets” link to articles and multimedia of interest regarding homelessness and hunger, subscribe on the upper right corner on the blog home
today’s economic challenges and job climate, and also the Samaritan House Facebook posts and blog. page, just fill in your e-mail address.
2 3