Lorne 160 2023 - Samaritan House

Currently, there are approximately 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in the Geelong Region. Samaritan House Geelong is a non-profit organisation which helps homeless men experiencing crisis in the Greater Geelong Region by providing them with accommodation, food and ongoing support, fostering their transition to a better future. It is the only organisation which provides long-term shelter for homelessness in the Greater Geelong Region aiming to host and help over 100 men annually who are typically single, unemployed males aged between 18 and 60. Many have health and relationship issues, alcohol and drug dependence and a lacking support network before accessing Samaritan House.

The Samaritan House provides them with warmth and a welcoming community that helps them on a journey to find employment and accommodation to break the cycle of homelessness. In the past decade, Samaritan House has helped over 1,000 men find jobs, shelter and some form of security through its services.

Samaritan House accepts NO funding from local, state or federal agencies and is solely funded through donations. The money donated goes towards providing the guests with housing, food, warmth, access to medication, health appointments, and other necessities allowing their transition into independent living as smoothly as possible.

A donation of $350 can feed their 20 guests for a week. An $80 donation can provide for electricity and gas for a month, $2500 in donations will support a homeless man to go through the six-week program to move him past the point of homelessness. If we reach our goal of $60,000, we can help support 25 men in their transition off the streets.