On April 1, 2024, Samaritan Center opened the doors of its second location in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Located at 33 N Market Street, across from Lancaster Central Market, this additional office will allow the Center to continue expanding its reach and offer counseling services to new demographics and those who live in the city. “As our main location filled up after returning to the office post-COVID, we knew the time had come to secure additional space. When 33 N Market became available, it was a no-brainer,” explains Steven Schedler, Samaritan Center Executive Director. “The opportunity to be so centrally located in Lancaster City will allow us to meet the needs of community members who might not be familiar with our services or who are unable to make the trip out of the city,” he continues.
A Growing Team
As the Center expands geographically with the addition of Samaritan Center North Market, its team also continues to grow, with the addition of three new therapists and four new staff members at the beginning of 2024. “Each of our new staff brings diverse sets of experience – and we look forward to learning from them as we continue to evolve as an organization”, says Jimmy Elsner, Operations Manager.
Samaritan Center’s Legacy
Founded in 1987 by members of Highland Presbyterian Church, Samaritan Center was established as an accredited, interfaith counseling center that would make its services available to all, regardless of their ability to pay. The Center has stayed true to its core mission over the past more than three decades – and in 2023, provided over $190,000 in client subsidies and screenings, its highest number to date. As the Center prepares to welcome clients to North Market, its staff looks forward to continuing the important mission to foster hope and healing in our local community.
Welcoming New Clients
With furniture and signage in place, Samaritan Center therapists will welcome their first clients at the beginning of April. Debbi Miller, Dustin Sauder, Sarah Jones, Shay Brown, and Renée Kurz will be some of the first therapists working here. “Our location downtown enables us to serve more people, meet additional needs, and enlarge our table so there’s a seat for everyone,” remarks Debbi. “For some, the wall of transportation or financial means or insurance kept us separated. Now we’ll be in the neighborhood. And the door will be open!”, she says.
Open House
And the doors will indeed be open: on Friday, July 12, Samaritan Center will host a public Open House from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., offering our local community the chance to tour the space and meet some of the Center’s therapists. We can’t think of a better way to spend a summer Friday, especially in conjunction with Market Day! Keep an eye on our social media for a formal announcement in the coming weeks.
With the opening of its second location and an enthusiastic and growing team, Samaritan Center is well-equipped to continue empowering the people of Lancaster!
