Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Crocker.
Rick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The Samaritan Inn was founded in 1984 by the Collin County Ministerial Alliance. These faith leaders and their respective communities were concerned about the growing problem of poverty and homelessness in Collin County. They were people of action and purchased a property in McKinney to serve as a homeless shelter. For twenty years, that shelter served those in McKinney and the surrounding area who were struggling with the impact of poverty.
In 2004, the Samaritan Inn purchased a property that would serve more people as we provided programs and services to “willing people” as they gain dignity, self-sufficiency, and independence.
In 2014, seeing a growing need here in Collin County, the Inn purchased a 15-acre property in McKinney for facility expansion. The first phase of construction is nearly complete and will allow us to serve more families and individuals than ever before.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not a smooth road…lots of challenges along the way and we’re confident that new challenges and obstacles will continue to present themselves. Presently, the biggest two challenges we face in our efforts to bring children, families, and individuals to a place of self-sufficiency is the severe lack of affordable housing options in North Texas and in the lack of public transportation available to residents of the northern section of Collin County.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Samaritan Inn story. What else should we know?
We are proud of the hundreds of individuals who have broken the cycle of poverty of homelessness and are now contributing members or many communities throughout North Texas. We see the dramatic transformation of people’s lives and the beginning of a new and bright future.
We are distinct because of the refined program and services that we offer—through case management, counseling, financial education, and career development. We are helping people write a new and better future story. We also are unique in that we serve the entire demographic continuum – single men, single women, and families.
How do you think things will change over the next decade?
We have already seen a shift in the past few years specifically in relation to homelessness. With the arrival of a number of new large companies in Collin County, the price of housing has continued to increase and many are no longer able to sustain themselves on their income. As one of the most affluent counties in the state, it becomes more difficult for those working lesser paying jobs to make ends meet. Another hurdle our residents are faced with is the lack of public transportation in the northern side of Collin County. This limits individuals greatly in job availability or creates another large expense as they attempt to pay for transportation to and from their career. We hope to see a positive change on the horizon both in affordable housing and transportation options.
Pricing:
- It takes $41 per resident/day to provide food, shelter, and program support.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1725 North McDonald Street
McKinney, TX 75070 - Website: www.saminn.org
- Phone: 972-542-5302
- Email: abarney@saminn.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/samaritaninn
- Facebook: facebook.com/samaritaninn
- Twitter: twitter.com/samaritaninnorg
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