Transforming entire communities one life at a time,

For almost 90 years, Samaritas has served others as an expression of the love of Christ with programs to help Michigan’s disadvantaged families and individuals thrive. Samaritas is the state’s largest foster care and adoption organization with a full suite of family preservation programs and options like Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services to keep families together. Samaritas is one of the largest providers of refugee services, resettling families in from all over the world. Samaritas provides senior care and living communities with a full continuum of services including independent and assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing options within a faith-based family community. Samaritas is all about home, offering housing solutions for adults with developmental disabilities, homeless families and affordable living communities for those who qualify for HUD housing. Visit samaritas.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook @IAmSamaritas, Twitter @IAmSamaritas or on Instagram @WeAreSamaritas.

Among the immigrants making their way to Detroit at the end of the 19th century were many Lutherans from Germany and Scandinavia. They followed the Biblical imperative to help others in need especially fellow immigrants with food, clothing and jobs.

Congregational outreach efforts came together in 1909 in the Missionsbund (Mission Federation), a group dedicated to "inner mission" (social service) work. The Lutheran Inner Mission League of Greater Detroit was incorporated in 1934, changing its name soon afterward to The Lutheran Charities. Its ministry grew to include child welfare work, a settlement house and services to the elderly. In 1959, the organization merged with a similar group in Saginaw and was renamed Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.

In 2016, in light of the growing diversity of our services, stakeholders, donors, congregational support and community partners, the organization rebranded to Samaritas. The reference to the work of the Good Samaritan in our name is especially fitting as it is consistent with our mission, values and the services we provide. Having a name that intentionally speaks to the biblical mandate to serve others unconditionally and acknowledges the values of diversity and inclusion has been very helpful to our services and organizational development. Listed below is the Executive Team selected to lead Samaritas in spreading ripples of positive change.

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