Samaritans turns 40
It was a bittersweet moment for the team at Samaritans this year, with the locally based-based welfare agency celebrates its 40th birthday as support services demands sadly increase. With the current cost-of-living crisis heavily impacting the Hunter, more and more families are turning to the organisation as they grapple with day-to-day financial needs. Founded in 1984 by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Samaritans was created to provide benevolent relief to those suffering poverty or distress, such as sickness, disability, destitution, misfortune or helplessness.
Four decades later, it’s grown to support the people of the Hunter, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Mid-North Coast through more than 100 programs and initiatives. “We are incredibly proud of the impact Samaritans has had on the lives of locals for the past 40 years,” Samaritans president Bishop Peter Stuart said. “We’re offering plenty of support to families experiencing great trauma. We help provide safe refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, we offer student accommodation for vulnerable teenagers, and we deliver emergency relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet. Samaritans’ six Emergency Relief (ER) Centres form the frontline of crisis support.
Over the past 15 years, Samaritans has helped more than 113,000 emergency relief cases. But, it’s definite the number of people supported by these cases is far greater than the data shows. With the holiday season being particularly tough for many families, Samaritans brought the start of its annual Christmas Appeal forward, highlighting the growing need for assistance. Donations to Samaritans 2024 Christmas Appeal will provide local families with crisis care programs, a safe place to stay, emergency food supplies, Christmas lunch, and gifts to put under their Christmas tree. Money raised will also help support their programs throughout 2025.
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Story by Olivia Goeldner
