Catholic Charities made a significant financial contribution toward the project and invited over 150 staff to participate. Funds and donations were used for the kits that included toothpaste, toothbrush, hand sanitizer, purse size tissue, toilet paper, deodorant, Chap Stick, shampoo, sunscreen, bandages, hand lotion, antibiotic ointment, rain ponchos, tarps, socks, bar of soap, water bottles, and blankets.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to start a homeless center…I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time,” said Hanna. “This is a great opportunity for people to make a small but significant impact on our community by showing real concern for our homeless brothers and sisters.”
Hanna organized drop off locations for supplies at his church, Judson Baptist, Cal State University, San Bernardino’s department of Social Work and Catholic Charities. He gave numerous presentations to his fellow classmates and congregation, advocating for the homeless, and catching the attention of Hell Fighters, a local Christian motorcycle club and non-profit, who helped solicit donations up until two days before the Point-in-Time Homeless Count.
“Samuel is an excellent example of our Higher Education Student Investment Program at work. We’re proud of Samuel’s initiative in becoming aware of an immediate need and mobilizing resources to address it,” said Ken F. Sawa, CEO and Executive Director of Catholic Charities San Bernardino-Riverside.
One of the purposes of the Higher Education Student Investment Program at Catholic Charities is to provide intensive supervision and training to Master’s degree level graduate students at local universities. This program includes a Community Practice Social Work Track which engages students in organizational, community, and policy activities, and a Clinical Counseling Track which provides students the opportunity to engage in multiple direct service programs with individuals, families and groups. This year there are 16 higher education students at Catholic Charities representing Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Northridge, California Baptist University, Alliant University and Argosy University.