SIDNEY – A new logo, look and – most importantly – a new sense of purpose and direction were unveiled when the cover was removed and a new Samaritan Works made its debut on Monday.
Samaritan Works is a faith-based non-profit which provides assistance for those wishing to begin their journey of living a sober lifestyle and continue their recovery from addiction.
Samaritan Works offers people in recovery a way to advance toward a new life in a sober, safe, compassionate and healing, faith-filled community. Residential sober living houses are just the beginning. The program also works with hundreds of people each year who need assistance through referrals, planning, coaching and sometimes, by just being an open, non-judgmental sounding board. In short, Samaritan Works teaches people struggling with addiction how to live without the help of alcohol and/or drugs. Samaritan Works is a partner agency with the Shelby County United Way.
“Our new logo and web presence goes much deeper than switching up a few graphics,” said Board of Directors Chairman Tricia Alloway. “We have and continue to revamp our entire program to better serve the population of those people wishing to live a sober life.”
Executive Director R. Michael Johnson, CNE, began making changes to the program almost immediately when he took over last October – beginning with a new admission screening process and the re-establishment of relationships in the Sidney and Shelby County community.
“There are a lot of people in the area who really want to kick their addiction and live the best life they can,” said Johnson. “But a lot of them simply don’t know where to go or how to take the first step on their path to sobriety.”
He continued, “our new look and presence on the web should assist in overcoming that initial obstacle, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Johnson noted that along with a new look, the program has – and continues – to undergo a number of major changes.
“We are now offering many, many more services than ever before,” he said. “Education is key – education in not only how to cope with being and living sober, but basic life skills.”
Johnson also explained the organization’s new logo and motto. “Our new logo is more appropriate with what we actually do,” he said. “The hands are in an upward pose, which symbolize not only strength and support, but a nurturing spirit and praise of God. The green leaves represent a new birth and growth into a new life for those entering and sustaining a recovery lifestyle. The heart signifies caring and empathy, while the cross in the middle is exactly what it appears – you must put God in the middle of your heart to be successful in any endeavor.”
The organization’s new motto, “Faith Filled Sober Living,” encompasses a more proactive philosophy on helping those struggling with addiction and in recovery.
Johnson said Samaritan Works’ new website is www.SamaritanWorks.org and “contains the normal stuff you would expect on a non-profit’s website. But, there is much more. There are lots of resources for those in recovery or those wishing to start their journey.”
“The key to all of this is, in our way of thinking, no one is an ‘addict,’” Johnson said. “They are people; they are people who struggle with addiction. That’s what our overhaul is structured to better reflect. We will always put God and the person first – not the addiction.”
