06/18/2026
Zeynep, our Executive Director, and Nelly, our Employment Specialist, just got back from a few days in Chicago. They were learning alongside other workforce development initiatives at Cara Chicago.
Zeynep said one moment in particular is still sticking with her: the mirror exercise. You stand there looking at your own reflection, being reminded you that you are not your past mistakes. You are not what people have said about you. You are not how the world decided to label you.
We couldn't stop thinking about our neighbors here at Samaritan Resource Center. How many of them have been told the opposite for years?
It's part of why our workforce development program, SRC Community Cares, exists. We hire our own clients for community cleaning work. They get real paychecks and job experience. It gives further proof that the people we serve aren't just receiving help, but they're giving back to this community, too.
We know that a job doesn't fix everything. But it does give someone routine, confidence, and belonging.
Thank you to the Kelly Family Cuidiu Foundation at Central Florida Foundation for making this incredible opportunity happen for us!!
