First named Riverton Reach Out, the Fremont County Good Samaritan Center (FCGSC) has been a landing place for many Fremont County residents since 1993. Offering community members a safe place to stay while they get back on their feet. Through a partnership with the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, they also take part in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Tristean Grover has been the Executive Director of FCGSC since July 2017. She notes the most significant changes for clients since becoming the Executive Director include:
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Daily breathalyzer test
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Random drug testing
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Clients must submit 30-35 job applications within the first seven days
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If necessary, clients need to get an identification card
Tristean says, “Most clients stay an average of 30-90 days at the center. Summer is their busiest time with approximately 15-20 clients per month and during the winter they have approximately 10 clients a month.”
The center’s buildings are over 25 years old and after a city inspection, they are in need of repairs before clients can stay there. The largest repair is reshingling the roof. Tristean notes the other repairs are more “cosmetic” but are necessary to bring the building up to code. The center is grant funded and she has not been able to find grants for building repairs to an established emergency shelter. Without funds to support the renovations, there hasn’t been a lot of progress. Tristean has plans for fundraisers and raffles to help raise money for the renovations.
Even though clients are not able to stay at the center while renovations are happening they are still offering emergency services to the community including:
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Emergency clothing and hygiene help
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Client advocacy
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Case management with referrals
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Monthly TEFAP
If you would like to volunteer, donate or help support FCGSC reach out to Tristean via email at [email protected].
