Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Swendig.
Pam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My short business career followed graduating with a BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University, getting married, and moving to Dallas. I worked in the business sector for several years and while doing so, volunteered to accompany the church choir and substitute as organist of a Dallas church. While ‘business’ was my training, music was my talent. Having only four years of piano, followed by six years of band playing clarinet and oboe, my volunteer music role grew into a career as Director of Music Ministries. I found great joy in gathering people together to use their gifts for worship. Being minimally trained in formal music education, I enjoyed finding people who had the training and skill and helping them shine! I was fortunate in having the opportunity to build a large program, eventually adding three handbell choirs and Praise Team for contemporary worship.
During my thirty years as Director of Music Ministries, I discovered I had a heart for the community which led to organizing Block Parties and Talent Shows and participating in Ethiopian, Pakistani, and Guatemalan ministries. I was very fascinated and interested in how different cultures worshiped and lived. I had some terrific mentors and looking back, I see God was preparing my heart for future ministry.
Ten years ago, I sensed it was getting time for me to relinquish a ministry I still enjoyed. I tried to silence the ‘niggle’ by trying new ministry avenues, but the feeling persisted. I was feeling very comfortable: I loved my ministry position and my church family. Why would I leave for the unknown?
In December of 2011, I announced my resignation and six months later left my position and my church home. My decision was awkward and difficult; my church home was my family and many didn’t understand ‘why’ I was leaving. There was speculation, of course, but I left for no other reason than I knew the constant niggle was God making me uncomfortable enough to do so.
At first, the new-found ‘freedom’ was exciting! It felt like a long vacation! However, I felt an ache in my heart for the opportunity to make music. I was fortunate to have some great opportunities to fulfill my heart, playing keyboard for a young, church-plant praise team, playing piano for a local Baptist and Methodist church, and ringing handbells for another. Still, I knew in my heart I was being called to do something other than music. My confident decision to leave music profoundly affected my sense of self. After all, who was I if not a musician?
There were several pivot points on my journey to Good Sam. The first was spotting a tiny ad in a Garland publication announcing applications were being accepted for Leadership Garland Class of 32. We moved to Garland in 1981, but working in Dallas for so many years and living in the part of south Garland where children attend Mesquite schools and where my children attended, I was minimally involved in Garland. After doing a little research on the Leadership Garland program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, I nervously applied and was surprised when I was accepted! The following nine months, under Jan Furtick’s leadership and encouragement, I regained self-confidence and joy. Leadership Garland afforded me the opportunity to meet terrific people, not as a musician but as an individual, and I learned so much about my hometown!
Another pivotal point was meeting Jim Griffin, Executor Director of Good Samaritans, and a LG 32 classmate. Several times throughout the nine-month program he would look at me and say, “You’re going to work for me one day!”. Well, I just laughed, never realizing he was being prophetic!
While attending Leadership Garland, I volunteered for a local non-profit, Christian ministry. I refer to these 18 months as “baptism by fire” because it was during this time God challenged my comfortable ideologies and religious paradigms, While working side by side with diverse cultural, economic, and religious backgrounds I had the opportunity to listen to the stories of people in need and the very real challenges they face. Challenges I was unaware of because I had lived in a bubble of familiarity and comfort.
I heard stories of unexpected emergencies which led to homelessness, being in great pain and unable to pay for medicine, being mistreated by employers and shorted on paychecks, living in filthy conditions and not speak out for fear of eviction, going without medical treatment because of the cost. Hearing these stories was humbling and broke my heart and I learned an important lesson: listen! Many times, people just want to talk and know someone cares. The saying, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” is true!
Once again, a volunteer position led to part-time employment as Assistant to the Executive Director. One of my new responsibilities was supervising court-ordered community service volunteers. This experience was eye-opening, too, as I had previously been unaware of, or in contact with, people from all walks of life paying restitution for a wide range of offenses. I was certainly ‘schooled’ in many ways and many topics!
It was during these 18 months that my spiritual life evolved dramatically. I felt God had called me out of ministry to ‘help’ people in need. However, I wasn’t expecting He first had to change me! After hearing people’s stories, the old “they just didn’t work hard enough” adage was brash and unkind. I needed a heart change and I was being educated! From my 18 months here, a deep awareness of my own need for mercy and grace blossomed into a deep desire to extend this mercy and grace to others.
Soon after I left this position my father became sick and I spent time with him and my stepmom in the Hill Country. After he died, I spent several months healing and resting in the Hill Country. Upon returning to Dallas, July, 2011, prophecy became reality when Jim Griffin asked if I’d like a six-month part-time job training with the Operations Manager and eventually becoming full-time. The timing felt ‘right’, I was rested and I was ready.
I remember vividly my first day walking to Good Sam and noticing people sitting at the two picnic tables (which is now six). My decision to come was confirmed; I felt this was God’s house and I was here to serve. Pivot point: shortly after my arrival, the Operations Manager left for another job and Jim retired to spend time with his wife. As a result, the Volunteer Coordinator moved into the Operations Manager position and I was offered the only job left: Executive Director. I looked at the nine pages of ‘duties’ in front of me and saw so many words! So many things ‘to do’! And, I remember thinking this would be impossible for someone without training. But, I could not say no. I knew this was where God wanted me and, like my music ministry, would send gifted and talented people to help me do His work! And, He has! Four years later, Good Sam is growing and looking to expand!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, there were challenges. Many! However, a deep confidence and conviction that God called me to Good Sam and His provision of wonderfully-skilled volunteers and staff equipped me to lead Good Sam. It’s actually quite amazing how His plan has unfolded.
First, I had witness how hunger affects so many people in our community. Before coming to Good Sam, I honestly couldn’t believe someone could be hungry in this country–again, misinformed paradigms–but I listened and I learned from the neighbors we serve.
I sought the mentorship of others for grant writing, financial oversight, social media, etc., developed a strong relationship with the North Texas Food Bank, enrolled in classes on pantry and food management, and formed relationship with area non-profit directors for guidance and support.
My style of leadership is side-by-side and felt if I was going to lead Good Sam, I needed to experience what happened in a food pantry. I’ve driven the box truck to pick up retail and community donations; distributed, ordered, and shelved food; greeted and helped neighbors; arranged for community workdays.
All in all, listening and learning from others and aligning needed resources has been a huge part of my education here at Good Sam!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Good Samaritans of Garland – “Good Sam” – what should we know?
Good Samaritans, “Good Sam”, has staff and volunteers who know we are first and foremost in “the people business”. We provide food assistance for communities in Garland ISD: Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse. We are open five days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., serving over 570 families/month and 180 unhoused (homeless) individuals/month. The ‘how’ we do business sets up apart: from our welcoming home on 12th and State Street, we provide food assistance with compassion and kindness. In 2014, we were receiving and distributing 440,000 lbs./food/year. In 2017, we received and distributed over 800,000/lbs. Our presence in the community has grown and we are so thankful for the support of the city, churches, school, businesses, and individuals. In addition, with a large pool of, “the BEST volunteers”, our core costs are minimal.
What am I proud of?
I’m so very proud of our team. Good Sam truly has the most kindest-hearted staff and volunteers who know we are ‘in the people business’ and bring dignity, joy, and hope to our neighbors with a kind word or gesture.
I’m proud our offer of immediate food assistance for Garland ISD and community partner referrals is growing and more people are being fed.
I’m proud Good Sam practices a holistic presence in the community. We recognize we are a part of a sum of so many who work tirelessly and faithfully to build a stronger, healthier community; i.e., together is better!
I’m proud Good Sam’s community area has expanded and now includes six turquoise-colored tables, an Information Board, and five benches to rest! It’s become a fabulous place for our neighbors to gather and often, share in a meal.
I’m proud Good Sam is recognized as a healthy pantry by the North Texas Food Bank and to have their strong support.
I’m proud Good Sam participates in GLOWS, Garland Overnight Warming Station, which provides shelter for our unsheltered neighbors in extremely cold weather.
I’m proud Good Sam has had the resources and support to continue providing food assistance for a growing number of neighbors in need.
[I’m ‘excited’ we have a pantry cat, who is the subject of an upcoming children’s book on Good Sam.]
Our Core Values: G.A.T.H.E.R. – Give Joyfully. Align Accountability. Treat Respectfully. Help Compassionately. Engage Community. Reduce Hunger.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Wow. Humility. Tenacity. Kindness. Flexibility.
Contact Info:
- Address: 214 N 12th Street
Garland, TX 75040 - Website: www.goodsamofgarland.org
- Phone: 974-276-2263
- Email: info@goodsamofgarland.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/good_sam_g
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodsamg/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/GoodSamG
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
