'Helping those in distress': Taunton homeless shelter moves to new location. What to know

TAUNTON — Catholic Social Services CEO Susan Mazzarella said Samaritan House’s new homeless shelter in a former rectory at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is helping “the unhoused.”

“The work carried on here for individuals who are unhoused mirrors the same virtues in the (Biblical) parable,” she said during a dedication of the shelter at 80 Bay St. in Taunton by Fall River Diocese officials.

“They are compassion, mercy, solidarity, generosity and hospitality. Poverty and a lack of affordable housing are the two main causes of homelessness.”

Mazzarella said, “Samaritan is an apt name” for the homeless shelter.

“Most people are familiar with the term Samaritan,” she said. “In legal terms, a good Samaritan is anyone who renders aid in an emergency. It is a common metaphor and refers to one who brings help in suffering. A good Samaritan is a person who is generous in helping those in distress.”

How many beds does the new shelter have?

Samaritan House manager Rebecca Renee said the homeless shelter has 14 beds to accommodate men and four beds for women that need a place to sleep overnight.

“We have been averaging about 18 guests a night,” she said before the dedication ceremony began.

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Why did the shelter move from Ingell Street?

Diocese of Fall River Communications Director John Kearns said diocese officials relocated Samaritan House from its former home on Ingell Street to the former parish rectory on April 28 because it had more space to assist homeless people.

“When the COVID pandemic came, there was not enough space to serve the purposes of the home,” he said after the ceremony.

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Renee said Samaritan House’s new facility has a day room where guests can relax.

“They can eat here, play games and watch TV,” she said.

A diverse staff to serve guests from diverse backgrounds

Samaritan House Staff Director Nancy Lingelbach said the shelter has a diverse staff to better assist guests from diverse backgrounds.

“We like to help all people,” she said. “We have people who speak Creole, French and Spanish. It’s great to have a very diverse staff of people.”

State Rep. Carol Doherty, D-Taunton, said the Samaritan House is a beautiful facility that has “a great effect on people who stay there.”

“We have a deep and abiding respect for all the people here,” she added.

Fall River Diocese Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha said the Biblical parable story about the good Samaritan offers “a lesson” for the Samaritan House staff and all people to follow.

“The Jews and Samaritans did not get along and were enemies,” he said. “In the parable, you have a robber who attacked a Jewish man, and the Samaritan had compassion and mercy for him.”

Samaritan House offers care 'for homeless people’s wounds'

Mazzarella said poverty and a lack of affordable housing “are the two main causes of homelessness that wound an unhoused person’s body, heart, mind and spirit.

“These wounds include diseases of mental illness, addiction, victimization, insecurity and feelings of being dejected, rejected, judged, scorned, abandoned, discarded, unworthy, shame, fear, worthlessness and hopelessness,” she said.

Mazzarella said the Samaritan staff tries to ease these wounds by “bringing people in from the streets and encampments.”

“Here, they have a place to shower, do their laundry, and have a meal,” she said. “They have a warm, clean place to lay their head and an environment where they could be unjudged. With the bandages of acceptance, safety and compassion, they are given the beginnings of recuperation and restored dignity.”

Kearns said Samaritan House staff also try to guide homeless people trying to find affordable housing and struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

“We have a list of references and connections with these groups,” he said. “They include Community Counseling of Bristol County, the SSTAR program in Fall River and High Point in New Bedford."

City and state officials praise Samaritan House’s efforts

Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said Samaritan House is “a place of faith, hope and opportunity” for homeless people.

“The most important thing we do is to help people get to a better place and live a productive life,” she said. “We will work with you to be successful. One of my favorite Bible verses is ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

State Rep. James Hawkins, D-Attleboro, said he communicates regularly with Catholic Social Services officials, and the Samaritan House is “so needed.”

“They do such a good job,” he added. “Susan Mazzarella is such a whiz at what she does.”

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton Homeless Shelter Samaritan House move. What to know