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Ping-Jung Tsai

H-E-B Awards $300,000 to Good Samaritan Community Services for Youth and Teen Services

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2020

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

H-E-B and H-E-B Tournament of Champions Award Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) $300,000 for Youth and Teen Services

This June, H-E-B and H-E-B Tournament of Champions awarded Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) $300,000 in support of the agency’s Youth and Teen Services. The gift will be disbursed over three years to support the learning, growth, and development of all youth and teens attending the Youth and Teen Services after school program serving the West Side neighborhood of San Antonio. The program provides rising 1st to 12th grade students with the training and resources to continue their academic success in a safe and supportive environment.
“We are grateful for H-E-B’s commitment to Good Samaritan over the decades and the work that we do on its behalf for our neighbors. H-E-B’s desire to support our City’s future leaders, innovators and business owners speaks for itself; to promote our future, we have to preserve the present by investing in our youth,” says Simon Salas, CEO of Good Sam.
For more information regarding this press release, contact Michelle Reel at (210) 837-4284 or michelle.reel@goodsamtx.org.

About Good Samaritan Community Services

Good Samaritan Community Services is a catalyst for change, supporting individuals and families by providing excellent community services to overcome the impact of poverty. These services include an early childhood services program, a youth and teen services program, and the only nationally accredited senior center in south Texas. What began as a ministry of the Episcopal Church on the west side of San Antonio in 1951 now reaches more than 4,700 individuals and 1,800 families around South Texas.

West Side Community Center Ensures More Than 250 Youth are Ready for School

Ping-Jung Tsai on August 3, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, August 3

Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam), in partnership with local churches, individuals, businesses, and organizations, will provide comprehensive school supplies to students attending schools in SAISD. Supplies will be distributed to families on Friday, August 3rd, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at the West Side Campus (1600 Saltillo St., San Antonio, TX 78207).

These supplies will enable more than 250 at-risk youth in grades 1st – 12th to begin the 2018 – 2019 school year with the supplies they need to be fully engaged and successful in the classroom. For the last month, drives to collect supplies have been conducted throughout the greater San Antonio community in businesses and organizations such as St. David’s Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, Southwest Airlines, SAWS, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

“Any family with school-aged children knows how costly it can be to purchase school supplies. We want to make sure that is not a barrier for any of our youth as they begin a new school year ready to learn. We are so thankful for the community of support that helps us send our youth back to school with the supplies they need to be successful,” states Jennifer Cook, Director of Program Operations at Good Sam.

Donations are still being accepted for the 2018 School Supply Drive to help purchase backpacks for students to use throughout the year. Donations may be made online by visiting donate.goodsamtx.org with “School Supplies” in the comments section of the form.
For additional information and questions, please contact Emily V. Kittrell, Public Relations & Marketing Manager, at 210-434-5531 ext. 2010 or emily.kittrell@goodsamtx.org.

Good Samaritan Community Services to Host Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Group

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 23, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 23

Good Samaritan Community Services (GSCS), in collaboration with Seminary of the Southwest and the Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries, will host thirty(30) clergy and lay church leaders for an agency tour and and panel discussion on Friday, June 23rd at it’s San Antonio West Side campus.

The Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries has partnered with Seminary of the Southwest to offer a nine-day intensive course designed for church leaders to learn cultural competency and ministry for the country’s Latino/Hispanic population. The partnership was enabled by General Convention 2015 Resolution AO86:Create a Network of Partners on Latino/Hispanic Congregational Ministry Development.

The first Course is being offered June 18 – 27th, 2017 at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where the group will visit neighboring ministries for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and better understand the experience of Mexican-Americans living in South Texas.

The group is to visit GSCS on Friday, June 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to experience how the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas has served Latino families throughout its history. The visit will include a history and overview of GSCS, a tour of GSCS’ San Antonio West Side campus, a panel discussion with four Mexican-American community members and beneficiaries of GSCS, and further lunch discussions.

“We are truly looking forward to having the Latino Ministry Competency Course on our campus,” said Simon Salas, CEO of GSCS, “and are grateful for the opportunity to share our history and experience in this ministry field as well as to shed light on the experience of second- and third-generation Latinos living in the Southwestern United States.”

For additional information and questions, please contact Emily Vandewalle, GSCS Public Relations & Marketing Manager, at 210-424-0892 or emily.vandewalle@goodsamtx.org.

Read the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release HERE.

Good Samaritan Community Services Receives 2017 New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 17, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, July 17

Good Samaritan Community Services (GSCS) is a recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Summer Learning Award from the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). Recognized from a pool of 103 applicants across the nation, the Camp Good Sam Summer Learning Program provides a rich, six-week, curriculum-based program for at-risk youth to enhance their learning and reduce “summer slide.” The current Camp Good Sam model has evolved since 2011 and integrates the reading of popular, young-adult fiction into a series of activities to enhance educational achievement, reduce risk factors, explore college and career pathways, promote leadership development, and engage families. This summer, more than 900 children are participating in Camp Good Sam programs across five South Texas cities, including San Antonio, Brownsville, Sonora, McAllen and Wimberley.

“On behalf of Good Samaritan Community Services and the Board, we are honored to be recognized as an exceptional program in the communities that we serve,” said Will A. Hileman, Chairman of GSCS. “Our mission is to change lives and it is our privilege to serve our communities’ emerging leaders.”
Jennifer Cook, Director of Program Operations, said, “We want to ensure that our students receive the resources, positive motivation and support they need to continue to thrive over the summer.” She also noted that, “All of our programs for youth enhance student engagement in school and out of school, and we also promote student achievement in the upcoming school year by providing an active summer learning program.”
“The six weeks of Camp Good Sam go by quickly for our students, but the outcomes they achieve from their interaction and engagement with our team of instructors and counselors is foundational,” said Simon Salas, GSCS CEO. “We have a dedicated group of men and women whose sole purpose during Camp Good Sam is to help a student find their spark.“
Research shows that the math and reading skills low-income students lose each summer are cumulative and contribute significantly to the achievement gap with higher-income students. A survey conducted by NSLA indicated that two-thirds of teachers said they spend at least a month re-teaching old material to students when they return from summer vacation.
GSCS is honored to be chosen as the 2017 New York Life Insurance Company Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award by the NSLA and to be recognized as an outstanding summer program demonstrating excellence in accelerating academic achievement. For more information, view the NSLA Press Release HERE or contact Emily Vandewalle at emily.vandewalle@goodsamtx.org.

William Bailey Named Chief Development Officer of Good Samaritan Community Services

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, September 24

Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. William (Will) Bailey as its new Chief Development Officer. Mr. Bailey will oversee the agency’s development strategy, while advancing the mission, vision, and values of Good Sam throughout South Texas.
Will is a graduate of The University of the Incarnate Word with a B.A. in International Affairs, and minor in Business Administration. He began his career in fundraising and development prior to graduation as one of the Founders and Director of ‘Cardinals for Kids’ at the University of the Incarnate Word, an organization that raised money and awareness for The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
Upon graduation, Will accepted a position with The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation as a Development Specialist. Most recently he has served as the Major Gifts Officer for
the Foundation.
“Will has demonstrated a commitment to mission in ministries of care and service to others, and I am thrilled to welcome Mr. Bailey to Good Sam,” says Simon G. Salas, CEO of Good Sam.
Mr. Bailey expressed,”My passion is to be of service to San Antonio and the South Texas community, especially those most vulnerable. I’m humbled to be a part of Good Samaritan Community Services, whose singular purpose is to imitate the Good Samaritan of the Gospel of Luke by being a catalyst for change for individuals and families to overcome economic poverty through the compassion of Christ.”
For more information, please contact Emily V. Kittrell, Public Relations & Marketing Manager at 210-434-5531 ext. 2010 or Emily.Kittrell@goodsamtx.org.

Fiesta Medals for 2018 Fiesta Season

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

Designed by Charlotte, a longtime member of our Senior Center, this colorful medal will brighten any Fiesta ensemble! Medals are $10 each and all proceeds benefit Good Sam’s programs. Click the button below to place your order, or come see us at 1600 Saltillo Street! All online orders will be shipped the first two weeks of April. Contact Kathleen Judson Dove at kathleen.dove@goodsamtx.org or 210-434-5531 with questions.

Good Sam Participates in San Antonio’s Tricentennial Celebration with Reading

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

In conjunction with San Antonio’s Tricentennial Celebration in 2018, Good Sam has created a year-long initiative called “Read300” to keep our kids reading! In San Antonio’s 300th year,  we will have 300 children read to by community members and volunteers. We are launching the initiative with a  kickoff event on Dr. Seuss / Read Across America Day!  Join us for the Read 300 Kickoff Event on March 2nd anytime between 4:30pm – 5:30pm.

1. Purchase your favorite Dr. Seuss Book
2. Write a note of encouragement to a young reader on the inside cover
3. Bring it with you on March 2nd
4. Read your book to one of our youth and gift the book to your reading buddy
To participate in our Read 300 Kickoff Event, let Lukas Sehlke, Volunteer Coordinator, know you’re coming by emailing him at volunteer.coordinator@goodsamtx.org or register with the
button below.
Learn more about San Antonio’s Tricentennial Celebration  HERE.

600 Families Receive Christmas Dinner Bags

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) is helping to feed 600 San Antonio families by providing the ingredients to prepare a holiday dinner. Each year, Good Sam provides the groceries necessary for families in need to enjoy a themed meal during the holiday season. The 2018 Annual Christmas Bag distribution takes place on Friday, December 15th, from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Good Sam located at 1600 Saltillo Street, San Antonio, Tx 78207.
Churches, civic organizations, corporations, and families across San Antonio have purchased, packaged, and delivered over 900 dinner bags over the last month to make this distribution possible for families on San Antonio’s West Side. The dinner bags include: a turkey, green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, napkins, plates, and a small gift or game.
“Each season, our local churches and businesses come together to make sure our neighbors are able to prepare and participate in their own families feast,” said Good Sam’s CEO, Simon Salas. “We are blessed that San Antonians from all parts of the city are willing to put others first, so that all may break bread with those they love over the holidays.”
This offering is free to community members who have filled out an application and qualify for assistance. For more information about the event, contact Emily V. Kittrell at 210-424-0892 or emily.kittrell@goodsamtx.org.

2017 Veteran’s Day Celebration

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) is celebrating the men and women who have so bravely served our country during the annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Thursday, November 9th from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Good Sam Pavilion located at 1600 Saltillo Street.

“Each year we come together to recognize the men, women and families who have selflessly dedicated their lives to our country in so many ways,” says Good Sam CEO Simon Salas. “The neighborhood surrounding Good Sam has such a rich and proud history of service, it is only fitting to celebrate veterans on our campus.”

This year’s keynote speaker is General Alfred Valenzuela, a highly decorated veteran who is from the surrounding Good Sam neighborhood and who served 33 years in the United States Army. Sidney Lanier High School ROTC will perform the presentation of the colors and the band will provide the music during the program. Lunch and dessert will be served to all attendees at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The ceremony is free, and all veterans and their families are invited to attend. For more information about the event, contact Anna Sanchez at 210-424-2065 or anna.sanchez@goodsamtx.org.

Good Sam Launches Monthly “Gather at Good Sam” Campus Tour Event

Ping-Jung Tsai on January 10, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, January 10

We are launching a monthly site visit and informational event called “Gather at Good Sam” that is free and open to the public!
Gather at Good Sam will take place on the first Friday of each month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at our San Antonio – West Side Campus for an opportunity to learn more about our programs and/or introduce us to your family members, co-workers, and friends. Visitors will gather for introductions and agency overview, followed by a campus tour of programs and brief period of Q&A.
The first Gather at Good Sam event will take place on Friday, October 6th, beginning at 8 a.m, and you are welcome to join us!  Visit our Facebook Event page to learn more, let us know you’re coming, and extend the invite to your friends. If this month doesn’t work out for you, don’t worry, it will happen on the First Friday of the next month at 8 a.m.!

Contact information

1600 Saltillo Street
San Antonio, Texas 78207
P: 210.434.5531

Hours of Operations:
8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday

Child Development Services:
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday
P: 210-434-5531 ext. 3000

Youth and Teen Services:
10:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Monday – Friday
P: 210-434-5531 ext. 4001  or ext. 2019

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