The Good Samaritan Inn (GSI), was established in 2007 by the East Jamaica Conference (EJC) of Seventh-day Adventists and members of the Adventist lay-persons Services and Industries (ASI), who developed the institution to assist the needy and homeless, by providing them with food, clothing, shelter, health services and loving care.
A registered charity overseen by a board of directors comprising members of Corporate Jamaica and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church, the GSI’s objective is to reflect the caring Ministry of Jesus Christ as practiced by the members of the Seventh-day Adventist community and the ASI. Both of these organizations are co-owners and major sponsors of GSI and provide the day-to-day management of the institution.
All activities are free to the beneficiaries and are supported by donations primarily from members of the Adventist community both locally and internationally. Contributions to assist those who are served at the Inn are made by local business entities, a number of overseas groups, the EJC Community Services Department and dozens of volunteers from the SDA church and the wider community.
A key component of the GSI’s operations is the provision of food as well as sanitary facilities for those in need. Those who visit the Inn are not only fed but can also access a bath, if necessary and where possible, a change of clothing.
Since it was founded, the GSI has ministered to over 35,000 needy persons who visit the facility. It provides over 900 lunches each week or close to 47,000 lunches each year. The GSI has also distributed over 15,000 articles of clothing as well as more than 2,000 pairs of shoes. Volunteers also assist with grooming.
Through the support of the church and community, the GSI has been able to expand its services which now include laundry facilities; separate showers for males and females; back-to-school help for students; free health clinics; free haircuts for men; a 30-bed overnight accommodation for women and girls in crisis; expanded meal services; and an annual Christmas treat for children and the elderly.
A number of the activities at GSI are supported by missionary volunteers from the SDA church. Since 2012, a team from the Nova Southern University in the USA has also visited annually to provide medical and dental services to those who come to the Inn regularly.
In 2014, a visit from representatives of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists resulted in the GSI being selected as one of the institutions to benefit from the mission offering for the 4th Quarter of 2014.
The proceeds from the mission offering have facilitated the development of a new health centre at the GSI. This is the first phase in the provision of a modern medical facility which will offer Maternal Health, Dental and Paediatric Dental services. Phase two will comprise a Child Guidance and Mental Health Service.
